Best tranny cooler to bypass stock radiator?

[nacho]

What is your opinion of the best tranny cooler to use to bypass the stock tranny cooler that usually fails inside our radiators? (and causes the dreaded pink milkshake). I'm looking for a good one that will last a long time but isn't super expensive.

I plan on leaving the stock radiator in place to cool the engine and mounting a better tranny cooler under it....One that doesn't block the air flow of the original stock radiator. I need to have the peace of mind that the engine and tranny are cooled by separate radiators where the 2 fluids can never mix together and destroy my tranny.

I'll never understand why Toyota designed this system that fails so often in the first place. Why didn't they fix it sooner, or have they even done that yet? Is there specific years of 3rd gens that are more prone to this problem?

 

[maxspeed96ct]

I would assume any oil cooler from summit or etc would do the job, theres no bolt in kit from what i know .

But with just a handfull of custom fitings and a oil cooler it can be done.

Something Ive thought of aswell just for security.

 

[doubleA]

TRD makes a almost bolt on kit:

I plan on buying this one: ToyotaPartsPeople.com - Genuine Toyota Parts and Toyota Accessories

There is also: Amazon.com: B&M 70268 SuperCooler Automatic Transmission Cooler: Automotive This one require a bit more thinking, but just the same. Plus I think some like the B&M better... but not sure why! Perhaps the price.

 

[98_4runnerSR5]

TRD makes a almost bolt on kit:

I plan on buying this one: ToyotaPartsPeople.com - Genuine Toyota Parts and Toyota Accessories.

Just bought this one the other day. Waiting for it to arrive in the mail :hungry:

 

[trailmix]

I just installed a b&m 70264 and it fits absolutely perfect on a 4runner. Very easy install and works and looks great. I ordered mine from jegs and it was less then 75 bucks shipped.

 

[Kurtis]

I just installed a b&m 70264 and it fits absolutely perfect on a 4runner. Very easy install and works and looks great. I ordered mine from jegs and it was less then 75 bucks shipped.

Was there any welding involved? I don't have a welder but I have access to one if need.

 

[Kurtis]

Nevermind. I can see the special zip ties...

 

[Deceptiwave]

I've had the B&M fro about 6 months now. Just re tighten the clamps after the tranny gets to full temp. Mine had a one-drip-a-day leak until I caught it and tightened the lower clamp.

 

[maxspeed96ct]

TRD makes a almost bolt on kit:


There is also: Amazon.com: B&M 70268 SuperCooler Automatic Transmission Cooler: Automotive This one require a bit more thinking, but just the same. Plus I think some like the B&M better... but not sure why! Perhaps the price.

Thats what I had in mind, I think it would be a good safty measure . I dont do much off roading but I sure to read alot of threads about the fluids mixing .

 

[Jon]

I just installed a b&m 70264 and it fits absolutely perfect on a 4runner. Very easy install and works and looks great. I ordered mine from jegs and it was less then 75 bucks shipped.

Very nice, I'm getting one in the Spring before the summer heat gets hellacious again.

 

[004Gunner]

What is your opinion of the best tranny cooler to use to bypass the stock tranny cooler that usually fails inside our radiators?

I'll never understand why Toyota designed this system that fails so often in the first place.

I went with a Hayden myself. Very solid construction and no compalints so far. I put a piece of cardboard covering half of it for the winter to keep operating temp up.

You don't need to worry about stacking the tranny cooler on top of the radiator or condenser and "blocking" air flow. Just adding an external tranny cooler can actually reduce the temperature of the coolant because the radiator has less to cool. I noticed a small drop in my temp gauge after adding an external cooler.

And Toyota has bad designs all over the place. Sometimes those bad designs reduce production costs and some times they increase repair costs. I doubt many of them are true oversights.

 

[maxspeed96ct]

I just ordered the B&M 70268 one posted above from amazon.



With free shipping I figured why not, I plan on doing a trans fluid flush very soon , figured this will be 60$ well spent.


Good thread :thumb3:

 

[BigFishAllDay]

I'm running the B&M 70268 on my 1997 and the TRD cooler on my 2001... when you get ready to install the cooler, take a look at a write-up I did when I installed the B&M on the '97... it should help. Also, if you're curious about what the TRD cooler looks like, and/or mounting options, click the link in my sig to go to the 2001's thread, and look at page 5 or 6... there's lots of pictures of the TRD cooler and different mounting options.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...oler-transmission-cooler-install-3rd-gen.html

 

[quicksilvr]

Hey trailmix, the little zip tie cushions are supposed to go between the cooler and whatever you're mounting to (in your case, the condenser). They're not doing you any good where you put them. Just fyi.

 

[twa318]

I would consider this $100 well spent, since this mod will prevent catastrophic damage to the transmission.

I'll be ordering my unit shortly

Thanks for the info OP

 

[brian2sun]

Here's a good read about it:
Transmission cooler mounting - thoughts and interesting discovery - YotaTech Forums

 

[trailmix]

ya i figured that out after it was all cinched down, and this isnt even the first one ive installed :ybrick:

 

[maxspeed96ct]

I'm running the B&M 70268 on my 1997 and the TRD cooler on my 2001... when you get ready to install the cooler, take a look at a write-up I did when I installed the B&M on the '97... it should help. Also, if you're curious about what the TRD cooler looks like, and/or mounting options, click the link in my sig to go to the 2001's thread, and look at page 5 or 6... there's lots of pictures of the TRD cooler and different mounting options.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...oler-transmission-cooler-install-3rd-gen.html

good writeup, I added it to my favorites for future referance.

Im hesitant on using zip ties only for mounting, but It seems like others are doing it that way with no issues.

 

[Deceptiwave]

The zip ties work fine. Just dont crank them tight - you dont want to flex the condenser or radiator.
I did mine one click past snug.

 

[BTO]

Here's a good read about it:
Transmission cooler mounting - thoughts and interesting discovery - YotaTech Forums

Great info! I thought I was doing a better job hard mounting the cooler instead of using the cheap looking plastic zip ties. Do you think an inch between the condenser and cooler will affect it's ability?