tranny cooler
- Thread starter Franzmann
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jessandjamie
New member
By adding a tranny cooler or e-rated tires or air bags in the rear your towing capacity will not go up. Its set by the manufacturer for multiple reasons, axle capacities, weight and size of vehicle come to mind. The tranny cooler would help the longevity of the transmission. That said, there is no dip stick to check the fluid level. Theres a rather long drawn out procedure. You have to pull the check plug (by the drain plug) when the temp of the fluid is between certain degrees, and add fluid until it comes out, or wait for it to stop coming out if over filled. The fill plug is on the side higher up.
empty403
New member
I think Franzmann is asking how to install a transmission cooler. I believe the 4runner comes standard with a transmission cooler since they all come with a hitch. You can verify this by looking under the hood and there should be a small looking radiator in front of the real radiator. They call it a "Sealed" tranny even though there still is a drain plug and hoses to the radiator and tranny cooler. Also, they say the tranny oil is lifetime - don't need to change it, but I still plan on doing mine (4th Gen).
empty403
New member
Yes, the same drive train except the Limited 4Runner. It may a combination of the hitch being stronger and the rear leaf springs being able to handle the 640lb tongue weight. The total towing weight capacity is always tongue weight multiplied by 10. Also, the tacoma is 700lbs lighter.
philsey
New member
NO. There is nothing you can do to increase the 4R's towing capacity, period.
You can make the ride/handling better with bags, etc. Use Search.
You can, perhaps, improve tranny longevity with a cooler. Much discussed. Use Search.
You can be safer with trailer brakes, or anti-sway hitches. Also discussed.
This is dead (pun intended) wrong - it's backwards. Recommended tongue weight is (towed weight) X 10%. But at 5000#, 500# on the tongue would be a lot for a soft-azz 4R.
You can make the ride/handling better with bags, etc. Use Search.
You can, perhaps, improve tranny longevity with a cooler. Much discussed. Use Search.
You can be safer with trailer brakes, or anti-sway hitches. Also discussed.
This is dead (pun intended) wrong - it's backwards. Recommended tongue weight is (towed weight) X 10%. But at 5000#, 500# on the tongue would be a lot for a soft-azz 4R.
philsey
New member
Sure be curious as to where you read this .... can you cite it?
I already put airbags on (airlift 1000) I already have an anti sway bar, load leveling hitch, trailer brakes. Its not soft azz anymore! I have had 800 pounds on the hitch for a short distance with my work trailer, no sway bar, no load leveling hitch. It drove pretty good. :ak472:
ClockWork
Banned
I'd be wary - a class III hitch is a class III hitch regardless of the vehicle it's mounted on. Furthermore, if you're regularly going to be towing upwards of 5k the 4R should not be on your list of potential cars.
Antman
Elite Member
Glad you live on the other side of the country from me. If you want to tow more that the rated capacity, you should buy a vehicle designed for it.
By ignoring the posted capacities you are putting yourself and others at risk. Do you think it's worth that? :shrug:
MeBe4running
New member
You've lost me. Towing capacity of a Tacoma is 6500 (with the tow package).:spider:
MeBe4running
New member
Okay now I can comment. I agree with philsey on this one, you should NEVER begin to consider the " How can I alter/change my vehicle (4runner) to tow heavier loads than rated?" FULL STOP, END OF STORY! Whatever way you look at it.
Forget about damage to the drivetrain of the 4 runner etc..., you could really hurt someone if something went wrong!
What is it that you want to pull that exceeds 5,000?
Not trying to dig at you, just want you to avoid a potential disaster on this one.
. :roadkill:
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What I think the OP is saying is that he DOES NOT intend to tow anything above 5K, he just wants the 4runner altered to be able to tow above this amount, thinking that it would be "easier" on the drive train if he should get close to 5K. Right? Well, most of everything everybody has said thus far it very true, really can't change much on the 4r to get it to tow more unless you are willing to change, Hitch receiver, frame rails, shocks/springs, tires, brakes, tranny cooler (larger maybe) etc.
Yes, you can make towing 5k easier for the driver with Air Bags, LT tires, stronger shock/springs. Load Leveling hitch set up etc. But cost vs. benefits vs safety issues of trying to increase the load limits, well, I just do not see it.
Here is a good web site which will help explain what "Clockwork" was saying. A bit more google searching will yield a lot more info on this subject. Good luck, be safe.
Receiver Hitch Selection Guide
Yes, you can make towing 5k easier for the driver with Air Bags, LT tires, stronger shock/springs. Load Leveling hitch set up etc. But cost vs. benefits vs safety issues of trying to increase the load limits, well, I just do not see it.
Here is a good web site which will help explain what "Clockwork" was saying. A bit more google searching will yield a lot more info on this subject. Good luck, be safe.
Receiver Hitch Selection Guide
philsey
New member
Agreed that's 6500#, right?
Contradicts above.
Ditto
Back to "towing MORE".
Franzmann, really not trying to harsh you here, but you seem either conflicted or not able to explain yourself. I a s s u m e what you're getting at is that you want to set up your 4R to tow the maximum, but the safest way. (Classic oxymoron AFAIC).
Then you went and put on 800# tongue weight... seriously? Owner's manual calls for "9 - 11% of gross trailer weight, not to exceed 500#".
Agree with Antman - sounds a little dangerous.
You need a work truck, suggest a nice F250 SD PSD, chipped.
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empty403
New member
500lb x 10 = 5000lb. What's the difference, it's the same.
empty403
New member
If you bolted the hitch to the frame, just above the reciever, to support the extra weight to prevent the Hitch from sagging, then it should be fine. That is basically what was done on the 4th Gen with V8s - 700lbs/7000lbs. Springs, rear drivetrain, were the same as the V6 model. If you modified it properly, the vehicle will be fine.
A lot will disagree, but you'll see that not many people give you warning when you ask how you can install 33" or 35" tires or want to lift your rig 3+ inches!
ClockWork
Banned
The entire hitch is completely different on the V8. It's not just supported above the hitch - the entire hitch mounts to the fram rails - not the rear crossmember.
