Transmission Cooler/V8 - which one bolts up? How to refill Trans?

[webby]

I own a 2008 SE 4WD V8. It has the OEM trans cooler that sits in front of the radiator, mounted on brackets. But that dinky cooler is too small for my usage. I live in Southern AZ and tow a 21.5' travel trailer from 1000' to 7000' elevation in 120 miles. Per my Scan Guage II, on long inclines, my trans fluid temp rises higher than I am comfortable with.

So I am looking at aftermarket transmission coolers. And I have two questions: Has anyone with a 4th Gen V8 found an aftermarket transmission cooler, that is much larger than the OEM one, that bolts up to the OEM brackets cleanly with very little modification?

Secondly, after changing out the trans cooler, for 4Runners such as mine with no transmission dip stick or filler tube (hate that), what is the best way to bring the trans fluid back up to the proper level?

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!

 

[dougiefreshmx]

Webby, from the research I have been doing on transmission coolers for our trucks, most have been going with the Hayden 1678 tranny cooler. It does not use the OEM mounting brackets and I'm 99% sure you wont find one that will. Some have been using the zip tie type mounts and mount them to the AC condenser or fabricating brackets on their own. For your use it sounds like you will just have to go the after market route to get the transmission fluid temps down to where you'd like them... That being said, I would be interested in buying your OEM cooler if you decide to replace it with a bigger more efficient one. I have a V6 and tow a utility trailer every so often loaded with motorcycles so I wouldn't quite need such a big one. (Sorry for the shameless plug to get at your OEM cooler!!)

Also, if you do install a new bigger tranny cooler, you would be ok not to try and refill the transmission. Its not a big enough difference to try filling it... and it would be a PITA... I think most would agree with me on this. Hope this helps...

Doug

 

[Atlanta_man]

there's info on the forum and in the manual for the transmission fluid adjustment
some tricks and proper temperature required

you may be due for at least a drain and refill based on miles/trailer pulling anyway

 

[webby]

Thanks all who responded. Appreciate it very much.

I chose the B&M 70264 SuperCooler Automatic Transmission Cooler. Just ordered it from Amazon. The size is 11" x 6" x 1.5". It looks like it may be fairly simple to mount in there where the OEM cooler is on my V8 runner. I'll try to post a pic or two here once it is installed.

Once the new one is in, I want to drive and tow with it for awhile, to make sure I am satisfied that it gives me enough additional cooling. If perchance it isn't enough for the southern AZ high summer temps that I tow up long steep grades in to the high country (I go from 1000' to 7000' elevation in 120 miles), I will either change it out for a larger cooler, or add the OEM cooler back in series with the aftermarket cooler. Anyway, once this is all sorted out to my satisfaction, if I am not going to be using the OEM coller, I will likely be willing to sell it here on the forum.

I just recently had the transmission drained and flushed and new filter, so after I install the larger trans cooler, I will only add fluid if needed.