Transmission Cooler

[Bimmer-Bob]

Resurrecting an old thread, I know.

So it would seem that, like with anything, there are pros and cons to this mod. If you're going to be towing a lot, especially in high temps and/or up steep grades, a tranny cooler seems like cheap insurance. But for less demanding conditions, particularly in cooler months, a tranny cooler may actually be counter-productive? As in you might actually be over-cooling the tranny?

Sort of at an impasse. I intend to occasionally tow (heavy) with my truck, but not so regularly that I'm a little concerned about the cooler doing more harm than good. I don't really want to mess around with stopcocks or anything depending on ambient temps. I want to protect my tranny as much as possible, but I don't want to inadvertently screw it up in my attempt to do so.

 

[Bimmer-Bob]

After reading all the posts I thought I would chime in. Before I purchased my 2010 4 Runner I read the fine details. According to the factory, in order to tow 5,000 Lbs the Runner should be equipped with 1) an aux. tranny cooler, 2) a brake controller.

What are you basing this on? I can't find any such recommendation in the OM.

 

[Biggcrisp]

Impossible

Resurrecting an old thread, I know.

So it would seem that, like with anything, there are pros and cons to this mod. If you're going to be towing a lot, especially in high temps and/or up steep grades, a tranny cooler seems like cheap insurance. But for less demanding conditions, particularly in cooler months, a tranny cooler may actually be counter-productive? As in you might actually be over-cooling the tranny?

Sort of at an impasse. I intend to occasionally tow (heavy) with my truck, but not so regularly that I'm a little concerned about the cooler doing more harm than good. I don't really want to mess around with stopcocks or anything depending on ambient temps. I want to protect my tranny as much as possible, but I don't want to inadvertently screw it up in my attempt to do so.

All those millions of vehicles that have an aux trans cooler installed from the factory would have to be over cooled.

When it is cold outside there is a chance that no warm coolant makes it down through the radiator to warm the factory cooler....again for millions of vehicles.

Not sure anyone regretted this mod?

 

[adam2562]

Resurrecting an old thread, I know.

So it would seem that, like with anything, there are pros and cons to this mod. If you're going to be towing a lot, especially in high temps and/or up steep grades, a tranny cooler seems like cheap insurance. But for less demanding conditions, particularly in cooler months, a tranny cooler may actually be counter-productive? As in you might actually be over-cooling the tranny?

Sort of at an impasse. I intend to occasionally tow (heavy) with my truck, but not so regularly that I'm a little concerned about the cooler doing more harm than good. I don't really want to mess around with stopcocks or anything depending on ambient temps. I want to protect my tranny as much as possible, but I don't want to inadvertently screw it up in my attempt to do so.

Some b&m coolers actually have a bypass valve that opens and closes depending on temp.

 

[Catchlight]

Transmission cooler standard in Canada

Canadians pay more for 4Runners than US buyers, but sometimes actually get something for the extra money.

Among the items included as standard equipment on my 2011 Trail is this package:

"All models feature a Towing Package – with a heavy duty tow-hitch receiver, 4-pin and 7-pin wiring connectors, supplemental transmission cooler and transmission fluid temperature gauge."

The 2011 Toyota 4Runner: Rugged heritage and go-anywhere ability meets power, efficiency and functionality both on and off the road / Toyota Canada, Inc.

(KDSS and a few other features that are options in the USA are also standard on the Trail in Canada, but US buyers still come out ahead on price overall).

 

[Titanpat57]

Hey if anyone can get a part number for that Canadian unit it would be much appreciated....I'm going to forward it to Jacques over at TRDparts4U and see if he can do anything.

Thanks in advance!

 

[JeremyB]

So it would seem that, like with anything, there are pros and cons to this mod. If you're going to be towing a lot, especially in high temps and/or up steep grades, a tranny cooler seems like cheap insurance. But for less demanding conditions, particularly in cooler months, a tranny cooler may actually be counter-productive? As in you might actually be over-cooling the tranny?

Unlike an engine, you can't really overcool transmission fluid. There are no combustion byproducts (water vapor) that accumulate and need to be burned off. No tight piston/cylinder tolerances. Colder transmission fluid will cause lower mpg due to the higher fluid thickness, but probably not enough to be noticeable.

The AB60E transmisisons have an ATF warmer to help quickly warm up fluid temperature to help mpg in cold weather.

Canadians pay more for 4Runners than US buyers, but sometimes actually get something for the extra money.

Among the items included as standard equipment on my 2011 Trail is this package:

"All models feature a Towing Package – with a heavy duty tow-hitch receiver, 4-pin and 7-pin wiring connectors, supplemental transmission cooler and transmission fluid temperature gauge."

Also available for 2014...
http://media.toyota.ca/pr/tci/en/toyota/full-size-value-from-the-authentic-249164.aspx

Sounds like a marketing dept error.

 

[N2GLOCK]

If someone can get me the last 8 digits of the vin for a Canadian model, I can get the part# for the cooler. A pic of how it's mounted would be good too. Also, I wonder where the ATF temp gauge is mounted.

 

[Bimmer-Bob]

If someone can get me the last 8 digits of the vin for a Canadian model, I can get the part# for the cooler. A pic of how it's mounted would be good too. Also, I wonder where the ATF temp gauge is mounted.

Would be cool to go OEM on this! Definitely interested.

 

[BKRunner]

Canadians pay more for 4Runners than US buyers, but sometimes actually get something for the extra money.

Among the items included as standard equipment on my 2011 Trail is this package:

"All models feature a Towing Package – with a heavy duty tow-hitch receiver, 4-pin and 7-pin wiring connectors, supplemental transmission cooler and transmission fluid temperature gauge."

The 2011 Toyota 4Runner: Rugged heritage and go-anywhere ability meets power, efficiency and functionality both on and off the road / Toyota Canada, Inc.

(KDSS and a few other features that are options in the USA are also standard on the Trail in Canada, but US buyers still come out ahead on price overall).

Before everyone gets too excited I don't think this is the case with the transmission cooler. The so called "transmission fluid gauge" is a warning light labeled "A/T OIL TEMP" and according to the manual: "Automatic transmission fluid temperature warning light indicates that the automatic transmission fluid temperature is too high. Stop the vehicle in a safe place and shift lever to P. If the light does not go off, contact your Toyota dealer.". The supplemental transmission cooler also just runs the fluid through the radiator, same as the US models.
I have a late 2010 Canadian model and at least in mine that is the case.

If you want OEM, get the supplemental cooler from the Tacoma.

 

[joneseyyy]

I'm running a twin set of B&M coolers (Tranny and PS) more as a preventative measure considering the lift, armor (extra weight), and my sometimes "enthusiastic" off road driving style.

 

[T4Ranger]

I don't see why a prior year TRD Trans cooler wouldn't work? As long as you get the right hoses and connections it should install quite easily.

 

[N2GLOCK]

After reading the post by BKRunner it dawned on me that my Dad has a 2011 V6 4WD Tacoma. It's one of those TRD deals. Anyways, this thing has an auxilary trans. cooler between the grille and the a/c condenser. It's kind of on the smallish side but I did tow my jet boat with it a few times in 110 degree desert heat with no issues. I had a '03 Dodge Dakota w/ a tow package and the cooler was double the size. That truck had no gauge and no light. My '70 El Camino has a B&M cooler that's also kind of on the large size and sometimes I think the fluid runs too cold. That car has a gauge, and it rarely gets to 170F. Anyways, I did my best to take a pic of the cooler on the Tacoma. Kinda hard to do w/o removing the grille. Don't think my Dad would be down for that.

 

[JeremyB]

I've been keeping track of TC lockup during my drive to work and noticed the TC locks up when the coolant hits 140 degrees. Trans temperature has been anywhere between 50-70 degrees when coolant passes 140. Ambient between 10-50 degrees.

Someone with an external cooler and cold locale will have to see if TC lockup is prevent by very cold trans temperatures.

 

[FlyNavy]

I am looking to do this mod over the weekend in preparation for towing my sailboat XC. I too went with the BM 70264 only to discover the inlet/outlet fittings are 5/16. I already purchased extra 3/8 hose and it sloppy loose on the cooler fittings. I know some have purchased a reducer fitting, but for others, has simply tightening the hose clamp over the "flexible" hose worked? From my limited research it seems like the return line PSI is not terribly high, but the consequences of a hose coming off is potentially catastrophic for the tranny. I'm not too keen on introducing more connections from a reducing barb fitting, but I also want to do it right. The alternative is going 5/16 and stretching it over the 10mm hard lines, but that's not ideal either. F, B&M, advertise your damn dimensions properly... Anyone want to help me solve this incredibly difficult first world problem?

 

[ScoMey]

I am looking to do this mod over the weekend in preparation for towing my sailboat XC. I too went with the BM 70264 only to discover the inlet/outlet fittings are 5/16. I already purchased extra 3/8 hose and it sloppy loose on the cooler fittings. I know some have purchased a reducer fitting, but for others, has simply tightening the hose clamp over the "flexible" hose worked? From my limited research it seems like the return line PSI is not terribly high, but the consequences of a hose coming off is potentially catastrophic for the tranny. I'm not too keen on introducing more connections from a reducing barb fitting, but I also want to do it right. The alternative is going 5/16 and stretching it over the 10mm hard lines, but that's not ideal either. F, B&M, advertise your damn dimensions properly... Anyone want to help me solve this incredibly difficult first world problem?

You might want to try using 11/32" transmission cooler line, instead of the 3/8" stuff... it will be a little snugger on the cooler fittings, but slip over the 10mm hard lines a little easier at the same time. Problem (hopefully) solved.

-sjm

 

[c0astie31]

Hey guys

Quick question

For u guys adding the aux trans cooler are u piecin in the trans cooler with the factory one in the radiator, so in to rad, out rad to aux in, aux out to trans ?

 

[KDCane]

Here's the one in my 2005 Sport V8. I'd like to put one in my 2014. I wonder if you could get an OEM one with brackets and just bolt it like they did in the 4th Gen V8s?

 

[jaraxle]

Fluid levels

Hi Guys,
OK I have looked and looked and cannot seem to find anything solid on the fluid levels. I am looking at adding a cooler (70264).
I have seen some posts say no additional fluid has been added and others where a half a pint was added. I am not even sure how to check the levels to see how much I would need to add.

So what are you guys doing? Adding or no?

 

[FlyNavy]

Here's the one in my 2005 Sport V8. I'd like to put one in my 2014. I wonder if you could get an OEM one with brackets and just bolt it like they did in the 4th Gen V8s?

I installed the B&M 70264 in roughly the same location (Right side) using the supplied mounting brackets and some metric machine screws. I used a couple threaded holes that were already there and the center support for the hood latch. It sits a bit crooked, but level and most importantly to me, about an inch off the front end of the radiator. I hope this will promote better cooling and less chance of corrosion from everything rubbing together over time.

Hard to get a good angle that captures everything, but this is looking down on the right front end of the radiator. Note: The cooler face is pointing aft. It was easier with the mounting holes on the back to orient it in this way. Also, in the pic the hoses are not yet installed. Not pretty, not OEM, but it is solid and works for me.