Transmission Cooler Worth It?

[alumarine]

am I taking a serious risk by making this drive without one?

This may be the only time I tow with this truck. Also, just to be clear, running the OD OFF will help keep the temps down?

You are not taking a serious risk. Go with what you got.
Millions of vehicles are set up the same way.
There is a temp indicator if it gets too hot.

OD off will keep the temps down if the transmission goes back and forth too much between 3rd and 4th with it on.

It's the torque converter not locking up that causes the heat build up.
If it locks up with OD on then fine.

 

[St Runner]

Your risk for a pink milkshake with a new radiator is really low, and your risk of overheating your trans is higher but still low. Since you have a scangauge keep it on engine temp while you drive. If you see your engine temps going up you know your trans temps are going up too and you should let it cool down.

 

[tx_shooter]

I chose to go with the biggest B&M cooler I could fit behind the grill with a 160*F thermostat between the radiator and cooler. This setup has allowed my transmission to warm up to correct operating temps in the winter and still allowed the large cooler to keep the trans from over heating under extended hard acceleration or city driving.

 

[giovannie23]

I recently got a scangaugeII, and one of the main reasons I wanted it was to monitor things like transmission temperature. What I didn't know is that there isn't a sensor in 96-98 (why didn't I just buy a 99+????).

I was thinking the exact same thing after reading this yesterday and did some reading
I came across this write up and it looks like it will work for our years
This will be my next mod (post #51)


http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/85197-ripcords-2002-4runner-sport-ed-4.html

 

[Swamp Ape]

FWIW, I picked my B&M 70268 from Orielly for $79.99 and then they gave me the 10% military discount. Just needed about 4 more feet of hose. For me it was just cheap insurance against the pink milkshake, not really a temp thing.

 

[Raintrees]

yep for about about $100 i had peace of mind. But like others said im sure you will be fine without one.

 

[T5RUNNER]

As others have said, you will have no problem making the trip without one, however:

Transmission coolers are cheap and easy to install.

They extend the life of your transmission.

They allow you to bypass the radiator trans cooler, and so cure a major design flaw that has expensive consequences.

So yes, everyone should install one, but you can do it when you have the time.

 

[camofreak]

I need to get this done, just for piece of mind.

 

[TRDFerguson]

Just a little update:

So as i was backing the trailer into the driveway the night I got home, I noticed a bad vibration/clanking metallic sound. Since I've investigated a bit and I'm pretty sure the flex plate is cracked. It really only made the noise in reverse when stopped. I checked the fluid and it looked good, and also the truck didn't drive any differently so I wasn't super worried about it.

Today at work I was giving the truck a once-over and decided to check the transmission fluid again and it was black as night. Not good. I did a drain-and-fill and it looked a little better but now the truck seriously hesitates occasionally and the noise is present in drive as well as reverse.

So I guess I blew it! I don't know if these symptoms are a result of overheating but if so... Murphys law strikes again.