Auto tranny cooler recommendations?

[Martinjmpr]

Yes, I searched!

I've decided that as I am approaching 130k on the 4runner, and I just bought a small trailer, I need to add an auto transmission cooler. Not that I'm particularly hard on the tranny but it seems like a ~$200 investment now can save me from a potentially ~$2000 repair job later.

What coolers do people recommend? What are people using that works and what doesn't? Most of the kits look pretty generic, just wondering if there is any that stands out above the others.

Also while searching I came across a thread discussing whether the aux cooler should be plumbed directly to the transmission or set up as an auxiliary to the cooler that's part of the radiator. What are your thoughts on this?

My inclination is to say that if the "weak link" in transmission cooling is the radiator, better to bypass the radiator entirely and have the tranny cooler run separately.

 

[zcruiser]

Yes, I searched!

I've decided that as I am approaching 130k on the 4runner, and I just bought a small trailer, I need to add an auto transmission cooler. Not that I'm particularly hard on the tranny but it seems like a ~$200 investment now can save me from a potentially ~$2000 repair job later.

What coolers do people recommend? What are people using that works and what doesn't? Most of the kits look pretty generic, just wondering if there is any that stands out above the others.

Also while searching I came across a thread discussing whether the aux cooler should be plumbed directly to the transmission or set up as an auxiliary to the cooler that's part of the radiator. What are your thoughts on this?

My inclination is to say that if the "weak link" in transmission cooling is the radiator, better to bypass the radiator entirely and have the tranny cooler run separately.

Recommended is the B&M 70268.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/66786-transmission-cooler-fan-pics.html#post565935

Series or bypass is up to you. If you have a new radiator, and you're in cold (subzero) climates, you may want to go in series. Most just bypass because they NEVER want to worry about pink milkshake again, and the B&M has a valve that restricts flow when the ATF is cold so you can get your ATF temp up to operating range as quickly as possible.

 

[Deceptiwave]

Installed the B&M in mine. Very easy and yes, a $75 investment over a $2K repair

 

[koulee]

Or the Hayden 679 unit. Either works well. Don't think the Hayden 679 has the bypass tho, but its a bigger cooler.

Series or bypass the stock cooler? My take is to completely bypass the stock cooler. The transmission is a mechanical kinetic energy transfer machine, it needs lubrication and cooling.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Just ordered the B&M from Amazon. When it gets here I'll get underneath and see if it's something I feel comfortable doing. If not, there's a local shop that will do the job for ~$100.

Thanks for the input!