Hey guys, I bought a whole 5th gen front radiator support on Amazon to mock up a bracket. I'm fairly confident with this I can get a design to work. I will keep everyone posted here and hopefully we will have a bolt-on bracket kit available by the end of this year for 5th gens! Thanks for the patience!

Awesome news!

UPDATE: If everything goes well I will be able to start shipping the 5th gen 4runner transmission cooler brackets next week. I'll keep everyone here posted!

Here is a shot of sexy bracket goodness reclining on sheepskin....

This is the Iconic protoype bracket that I received last night. I'll be working on the install today. Shout out to Devon at Iconic!

Attached Images

 

i havent been following this thread as closely as i should have been, but which model/manufacture of trans cooler does this fit?


thanks a billion

A billion "You're Welcomes" lol

2010-2024 4runner Transmission Cooler Bracket Kit
– Iconic Fabrication


CURRENTLY IN THE PROTOTYPE STAGE, HOPEFULLY SHIPPING BEGINNING OF 2024!

These CNC pressbroke .125" thick 5052 aluminum brackets are designed to make transmission cooler installs a breeze for all automatic transmission 5th gen (2010-2024) 4runners! These fit the Hayden 678, Hayden 698, and Derale 13613 transmission coolers. The Hayden coolers are identical in size but the 698 is equipped with an internal temperature bypass which helps the fluid get up to operating temperature faster, recommended for colder climates. Reduce wear on the transmission by keeping temperatures cooler!

I have not test fit this bracket on every single model year of 4runner. Depending on options there may be things that need to be moved out of the way. I'm waiting to hear back from customers regarding fitment for various years. If it doesn't fit your vehicle, take some pictures of the issue and I can provide a full refund.

Included with the "Bracket Only" option:

Bracket
All required fasteners


Included with the "Hayden 678 Kit" option:

Bracket
All required fasteners
Hayden 678 (non-bypass) cooler
Additional length of 3/8" transmission hose to complete install
Edge trim guard
(4) hose clamps


Included with the "Hayden 698 Kit" option:

Bracket
All required fasteners
Hayden 698 (bypass) cooler
Additional length of 3/8" transmission hose to complete install
Edge trim guard
(4) hose clamps


If you purchase a kit option all you need to complete the install is a quart of your favorite automatic transmission fluid. I recommend Toyota WS ATF or Valvoline Maxlife.

Unfortunately I'm not offering a Derale specific kit at this time.

Any fitment tests on any supercharged or with winches? I am interested in this but have both a winch, upper grill light bar and magnuson so I am curious if this still would fit.

The prototype didn't fit perfectly, gonna need a few more weeks unfortunately.

Teaser photo of the second test fit in my 2018 off road premium model. No winch or anything else, mostly stock

Jim

Attached Images

 

Many thanks to @teotwaki and his very gracious and detailed assistance I have a bracket design that should work for the 5th gen 4runners. I've opened up pre-ordering on my website linked below, I should be able to start shipping in about 2 weeks.

My bracket goes on the passenger side. You may have to bend the lower left power steering line bracket slightly for more clearance and also push the AC line out of the way slightly. Other than that I think it fits like a glove, all bolt in.

2010-2024 4runner Transmission Cooler Bracket Kit
– Iconic Fabrication

Thanks Devon! It is great to see a real mounting solution come to life. None of those Tie-Wraps through the radiator for me.

The bracket that is bent about 1/2" is soft steel and nothing is compromised. This mod allows a really nice exit of the hose from the trans cooler and out through a factory opening for a clean OEM look. The upper trans oil line also follows a similar path. I am finalizing the suggested hose lengths this morning.

Bonus photo of a trans oil cooler that I took out of the radiator of my 4th Gen. The 5th Gen is probably the same design.

Attached Images

   

Here is a preview of what the final design looks like in place, one shot with the AC bracket moved for a clearer view.

Attached Images

   

Before the install I read dozens of internet posts and watched almost as many videos on transmission oil cooler installs. To make sure I didn't accidentally swap rubber hoses I drew up my own diagram and took a ton of pictures under the 4Runner. I really had my heart set on making connections near the top of the steel lines where they arch over but it's tough to get in there. I opted for the easier route (and one longer hose) by tapping in near the large radiator outlet at the bottom and on the driver's side.

I spent a few hours choosing how I would route the hoses in order to take advantage of the OEM openings on the passenger side of the main radiator. If this Hayden cooler works well when I'm towing my trailer I will likely have the cooler's return line make a home run towards the steel line that originates from the transmission. Then I would "abandon" (cap off) the steel line that runs outside of the radiator fan shroud, travels upwards and then has a rubber hose run back to the transmission return line. This could shorten up the return hose from the Hayden cooler.

The Hayden 698 is fed from the bottom inlet so as to push any air bubbles up and out. This cooler comes after the Toyota integrated oil cooler because I would like the return line temperature to be lower than the 180 degrees F from the main radiator.

Attached Images

 

Install Notes, not necessarily in order

I chose the Hayden 698 cooler billed as the "internal pressure bypass" model for cold climates. Patented Internal By-Pass Coolers

Before install of the bracket it is nice to take a file and knock off the sharp edges that are a byproduct of the laser cutting.

When installing the bracket it is easiest to first bolt the cooler to the bracket. I faced the bolts forward towards the front of the truck so as to have less things hanging out on the back when putting the bracket and cooler into position. I supplied my own washers for the bolts but given how light the cooler is the washers aren't necessary. There are no lock washers supplied but nylock nuts are supplied. Future production kits may vary in the interests of improvements and ease of assembly.

Note the hole that the upper right corner bolt is in. This is to avoid the bolt directly contacting the hood latch vertical support bracket.

Before installing the bracket I applied a 1" square foam pad to the spot right above the upper right bolt. This is to prevent any chance of vibration against the hood latch support bracket as they are about 1/8" to 1/4" apart. This was something that I wanted to do and may not be part of the production kit.

When installing the bracket and cooler, you can loosen up all four bolts of the hood latch and its support bracket. Or you can take a shortcut and just unbolt the lowest bolt of the vertical hood latch support bracket. Gently pry the support bracket forward to allow the trans cooler bracket to slip in. Use a center punch or similar to align the holes and thread in the bolt. Next thread in the trans cooler bracket's lower left bolt and then the upper bolt and spacer.

Once the trans cooler is installed it is easiest to feed the rubber hoses in from the engine bay towards the cooler inlets. The lower hose for hot fluid could use a sleeve to protect it from chafing on the edge of the port cut in the metal bulkhead. I used some clear tube I had around.

A picture is attached of the lower hose routing from the cooler, showing how it passes under the aluminum AC line. The upper hose must pass through a foam sheet and I used a razor to cut a "X" pattern to try to keep the air seal in place.

If I think of other things I'll either update this post or add more info in another.

Attached Images

             

One of the main reasons I worked with Devon was to get away from any sort of zip tie mounting scheme. I wanted a cooler to be fully supported in a mounting bracket that isolates the cooler itself from mounting stresses, flexing of the radiator support structure and the vibration and shock of off roading. I also wanted a clean install and straightforward hose routing.

One thing I'll throw in is that I am running full (RCI) skid plates so air flow across the transmission housing is restricted by some amount as compared to the more minimal OEM skid plate.

For the following I will defer to anyone who has deep knowledge of the 4Runner transmission: A number of online sources have made statements that most modern transmissions have an internal temperature bypass valve that prevents fluid from flowing to an external cooler until the temp has reached some minimum such as 165 deg F. (Unknown rating, I need a citation) If true for our Toyota transmissions we have no worries about over cooling the ATF by adding an inline cooler to the lines coming out of the OEM cooler located within the engine coolant radiator.

Next, the Hayden 698 seems to perform a bypass function by relying on the viscosity of the ATF versus temperature. Hayden understandably does not share how they designed their cooler but states this "When Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is cold it is viscous. The unique Tru-Cool design allows the colder, thicker ATF to flow more efficiently through two open bypass channels positioned at the top of the cooler. As operating temperatures increase, the ATF becomes hotter and thinner, It's then directed through the core where it is cooled."

Sample curve I found of how ATF viscosity varies with temperature


Colder, denser fluid probably doesn't easily flow through the smaller internal orifices of the 698 (my guess) that lead to the finned areas of the cooler. Given that the ATF has already been pre-warmed to 180-ish degrees by the engine coolant radiator the Hayden 698 is essentially "active" all of the time and incoming ambient air temperatures will affect how much additional cooling the Hayden can impart.

I recently took a five day trip to the Mojave Desert with my 4Runner and offroad trailer. I use a ScanGuage2 for monitoring the trans, engine coolant and torque converter temperatures. In the numbers presented below I show the converter temps as it can run hotter than the transmission. I imagine that whether or not the converter is locked up makes a difference. Off road I use the sport mode and on the freeway I use drive except for steep hills.

Ambient air temp - converter temp - coolant temp - notes

62 - 98 - 184 just idling in the driveway
73 - 150 - 188 starting the drive on city streets
64 - 199 - 191 freeway driving, level in general, at normal traffic speeds
61 - 193 - 195 towing uphill in Cajon Pass, at normal traffic speeds
70 - 96 - 195 idling at camp site before return trip
68 - 118 - 186 in 4WL 3rd gear Sport Mode (SM) in a sandy wash @ 15 MPH
68 - 130 - 186 in 4WH Drive on dirt roads @ 25 MPH
70 - 149 - 190 up a hill, at normal traffic speeds
70 - 147 - 190 freeway driving, level in general, at normal traffic speeds

In the past I had found the converter temps would rise well above 210 degrees when towing up a hill and I would usually switch to SM and reduce my speed. Now I no longer have to do so.

I would recommend this product to anyone who tows or operates in hotter climates and who is capable and confident of performing minor mechanical work to deal with fitment hose routing, etc.