NEWBIE @ Towing

[brockeverly]

After some research, I have found that our 2010-2011 t4r's do indeed have a stock tranny cooler, it is inside the radiator. I have yet to go verify the connections, however, per my local dealer, they are there. They did not recommend adding an aux tranny cooler as having temps that are extremely low is also not good. I will take a look to verify when I feel like sweating my :moon: off, but right now it is still over 100 at 10:30, so I don't know when.

 

[Antman]

After some research, I have found that our 2010-2011 t4r's do indeed have a stock tranny cooler, it is inside the radiator. I have yet to go verify the connections, however, per my local dealer, they are there. They did not recommend adding an aux tranny cooler as having temps that are extremely low is also not good. I will take a look to verify when I feel like sweating my :moon: off, but right now it is still over 100 at 10:30, so I don't know when.

Not to burst your bubble, but all auto transmissions run their lines through the radiator to cool themselves. An auxiliary cooler is more efficient, and they have a bypass valve that allows the fluid temp to rise to a safe operating temp. Just so ya know.

 

[TeryT]

You should be fine!

For what you are towing I would not think you need to worry about a tranny cooler. Plus, the fluid Toyota uses now in most transmissions, and I assume that would be the 5th Gen 4R as well, are fully synthetic and pretty much worry free. Plus that V6 is really a stout little bugger. I camped a few weeks back beside a fellow who had the V6 in his Tacoma, and pulled an ultralight travel trailer bigger than my 25' one (which I pull with a 4th Gen V8). He has pulled his rig all over the country and into various parts of Canada over the past 1.5 years, and says he has no issue. He said it doesn't win any speed contest going over the Rockies, but who really cares!?

I added a tranny cooler & gauge to my V8 just to be on the safe side - ONLY because I live in one of the worst places to tow - Arizona. The ambient temps can be well over 100 with elevation gains over 5,000 feet. And I tow a good sized trailer for mt 4R, so I wanted to be on the safe side. But for what you are doing - staying well under the limits - I wouldn't sweat it too much. Do the proper homework to be safe, then go out and enjoy yer 4Runner!

 

[brockeverly]

Not to burst your bubble, but all auto transmissions run their lines through the radiator to cool themselves. An auxiliary cooler is more efficient, and they have a bypass valve that allows the fluid temp to rise to a safe operating temp. Just so ya know.

Not bursting my bubble LOL. Doesn't matter to me either way, just sharing the info I found.

 

[Slag]

I have a 2010 Limited and I tow a 16' deep V fishing boat. When I am fully loaded with the boat and gear the T4R drives just fine. This summer I have done over 50 hours of boat trailering on a couple of big fishing trips. The T4R has handled it well, I don't need airbags or other mods with the loads I am running.

 

[libido]

In my experience with a 2003 Tacoma before I got the T4R, the transmission cooler issue was clear when driving up a lot of grades while towing a moderate load. If you are doing a lot of mountain driving while towing, the tranny cooler might make more sense. I don't know how the T4R compares to the Tacoma, but a tranny cooler is an inexpensive item and it could potentially save you both significant time and stress (repeated stops to cool tranny) as well as $$$$ (tranny service/repair/replacement).

Cheers and my $0.02,
Greg