Writeup on tranny cooler install???

[Justin727]

I left my radiator hose barbs open. Is that risky?

No, Nothing but left over fluid may drip out.

 

[Qyota]

You could possibly lose coolant if your built-in cooler corrodes enough to spring a leak. Best to cap or plug or otherwise block off those open nipples.

 

[quicksilvr]

Nice job, and great pictures! Your 4Runner is so clean and rust free....it makes me jealous. I've got so much rust to deal with on mine it's not even funny.

The only thing I'm doing different is using an inline filter like Kball did. I'm hoping to get 250K miles out of the tranny without any rebuilding or replacing.

 

[hockeyrunner]

looks great, nice job. You're braver than I am reusing those spring clamps.. but if there's no leaks I guess you're good to go!

I totally forgot to get some new clamps before I started. Once I had everything apart I had no way to get to the store so I re-used the spring clamps. Those things are super stiff & so far so good. I may throw some new clamps on one of these days. Did you use hose clamps or spring clamps to connect back to the steel lines?

 

[hockeyrunner]

Nice job, and great pictures! Your 4Runner is so clean and rust free....it makes me jealous. I've got so much rust to deal with on mine it's not even funny.

The only thing I'm doing different is using an inline filter like Kball did. I'm hoping to get 250K miles out of the tranny without any rebuilding or replacing.

Thanks for the kudos! Your rig is sweet, its a bummer about the rust. I'm fortunate to have my rig be in CA for its whole life :reddance:

Was it your thread that I saw saying you were going to use fluid film for undercoating? I have no experience with it but I recently removed minor surface rust off the rearend & other undercarriage areas and hit it with some rust oleum haha Looks a million times better

I love the idea about the inline filter. I may install one of those in the future. Like you I'm hoping for 200k+ from the stock tranny without any issues. My tranny loves the amsoil ATF I just switched to :banana:

 

[kball]

I totally forgot to get some new clamps before I started. Once I had everything apart I had no way to get to the store so I re-used the spring clamps. Those things are super stiff & so far so good. I may throw some new clamps on one of these days. Did you use hose clamps or spring clamps to connect back to the steel lines?

Since I was putting on the filter I knew I would need some extra clamps so I bought another package. I used a little 1/4" ratchet and socket to tighten them up. Not a lot of room where the steel lines end. If those spring clamps are still tight, which from what I remember getting them off they were pretty stiff, I wouldn't worry about it. As long as you have no drips, you're good.

 

[runrunner]

Forgive me as I am new to 4runners as I just picked mine up today.

I am familiar with the "pink milkshake" as I owned a Nissan Frontier which seemed to be plagued with this issue, however with lower miles.

Is their certain years of runners that have the issue? Certain areas (rust belts)?

Or can it happen to anyone at anytime?

 

[kball]

Forgive me as I am new to 4runners as I just picked mine up today.

I am familiar with the "pink milkshake" as I owned a Nissan Frontier which seemed to be plagued with this issue, however with lower miles.

Is their certain years of runners that have the issue? Certain areas (rust belts)?

Or can it happen to anyone at anytime?

It's random but more common with more miles. You have over 160K so you're getting up there. I don't think it's that common to happen but it's just not worth taking the chance when all it takes is less than $100 to prevent. Rust isn't the problem, at least not outside rust. Rust or corrosives on the inside may have something to do with it.

 

[quicksilvr]

I'm going to put a little update in here, since this is a great thread.

I started mounting my cooler a couple days ago, but still haven't finished the project. I knew I wanted it behind the center support bracket, as tight as possible to the A/C condenser. Well, when I was moving stuff around I accidentally nicked the condenser with a bolt and my A/C charge all escaped into my garage. Great! At that point I had to take the condenser out to get it patched up, and realized I would rather mount the trans cooler between the condenser and the radiator, that way I could mount it tight to the radiator with those zip tie style mounting straps. Right now, I'm trying to figure out where to route my lines, since I have a BudBuilt front skid, and am using an inline filter.

When I get it all figured, I'll post some finished pictures. Word to the wise: the aluminum of the condenser tubes is pretty soft...be careful!

 

[turbodudey2]

Mine's all done

I got my cooler and filter all installed last weekend too.

I went with a Hayden 11" x 12" x 3/4" cooler, and a spin on remote filter. And while I was at it, went ahead and dropped the trans pan to change the OEM filter and clean the pan magnets. I ended up with the wrong filter though. I got one for the A-340E transmission, but I have the A-340F. So I just cleaned the old filter (actually came out looking new after a solvent bath and wash), and reinstalled it.

I still have the filter for the A-340E tranny if anyone needs one...

I'll takes some pictures soon so ya'll can see.

 

[hockeyrunner]

Sounds good guys, loving the info we were able to put together in this thread :reddance:

 

[turbodudey2]

Here are the pics

From below, you can see how the lines run down on each side (note the small notches in the skid for extra clearance):

Spin on filter mounted to the frame - nicely protected by the skid and easily accessible:

 

[kball]

Interesting hose routing. Nice job it looks good!

 

[quicksilvr]

Here is a mounted picture. My camera battery died before I hooked the lines up. This is right against the radiator, so it'll be in between the radiator and the A/C condenser.

 

[Rock Slide]

Spin on filter mounted to the frame - nicely protected by the skid and easily accessible:

Got any more info on this? I'd like to install a screw on filter as this when I do my cooler install. Curious to see how the lines run into it and what adapater you're using.

 

[turbodudey2]

Got any more info on this? I'd like to install a screw on filter as this when I do my cooler install. Curious to see how the lines run into it and what adapater you're using.

This is the adapter I got: Perma-Cool 10678 Perma-Cool Auxiliary Trans Filter Kit

Has everything you need for the install, and there's a temp sender port on the bracket as well, if you want to use a trans temp gauge. (the deluxe kit comes with the gauge included)

In the location where I mounted it, all I had to do for the "in" side of the filter was pull the trans cooler line off the stock cooler and move it to the filter inlet. Hose length didn't need to change, and the lines were still in good shape so I just used the oringinal hose.

Then just run the "out" from the filter to the new trans cooler, and then back to the trans return line.

 

[nor cal boy]

ok so im an idiot. i cant get my front skidplate off. can anyone help me

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Link placed here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/accessories/17358-transmission-cooler-install.html#post553243

Thanks

How about adding one here? http://www.toyota-4runner.org/general-discussions/21354-diy-mods-post-write-ups-here-2.html
:cheers:

 

[Rock Slide]

ok so im an idiot. i cant get my front skidplate off. can anyone help me

You just remove the seven (or less) 12mm bolts:

 

[BTO]

ok so im an idiot. i cant get my front skidplate off. can anyone help me

I too was in this position. I found all the bolts but one was rounded and refused to budge. I eventually got it off by putting a floor jack under the ratchet.