Transmission Cooler on Daily Driver

Hey All,
Do you think it makes sense to add a transmission cooler to a daily driver for those infrequent road trips involving lots of climbing at elevation? This would be for a pretty stock build - 2-3” lift on 33s w/ sliders and nothing else. I also don’t tow. Just carrying a few hundred lbs. of dog and camping gear. I do monitor tranny temps. and the hottest I’ve been is 215F in the Rockies. Most of the year I’m just commuting at sea level. Thinking it might be good insurance but my only concern is the short drives to work and around town might not allow the trans. to fully warm up with a cooler.

 

It wouldn't hurt. Iconic fab makes kits.

 

1. Are you seeing those temps even if you drop into S4?
2. Is that pan or torque converter temp?
3. Good coolers have a bypass mode (usually passive), where the cold fluid doesn't run through all of the cooling fins while the trans is still heating up, so I don't think there's any downside aside from the cost and effort.

 

Eh, I don’t think the juice will be worth the squeeze if you peak at 215 - these are pretty sturdy as it is.

 

Yes, 210-215F in S4 at the TC but the pan is usually not far below. I’ll look into the bypass types. Didn’t think something like that was available. Any highly regarded recommendations to start with?

 

Not needed. The vehicle is designed and warrantied to do the same routes towing what, 5000 lbs? Just downshift to a lower gear and keep the revs up - that turns the ATF pump faster and turns the radiator fan faster.

 

sorry for the dumb question;

• Will transmission cooler have negative effect in winter?

I trust the dangerous temp is 225F (or is it 250?) so trying to understand if its worth for a 215F max person to add a cooler.​

 

You can get a cooler with a thermostat if you live in an area with real winters. I'm not sure if these have it in the trans already.

My Tacoma had an AUX cooler with the tow package. Never had issues when I did drive in a colder area but never got below 30 here in CA.

 

There are some write-ups on here, I think most people use Hayden, but there are other brands.

I have not done this myself, by the way. My Taco had the factory cooler and no issues, and on the 4Runner I just watch the shifting and speed to keep it in temp so far.

 

Oh, I guess add me to the "not needed for infrequent trips" camp.

Manual says to change fluid at 60k miles if you tow almost all the time. I'm guessing temps around 200-215, for several minutes at a time, a few times a year is not something to really worry about.

 

I would normally say it's not needed, but since you are running 33" ATs all the time, can't hurt. Worst come to worst take a weekend drive around Lake Chabot or head up to Sausalito, you should be taking some medium length drives every few weeks anyway.

 

Nope. I wouldn't do it. Regear instead if you havent done so. That will help more.

 

Nah, I'd go with raptor lights...

 

Worth noting is that there are different sizes of auxiliary transmission coolers. A one square foot auxiliary transmission cooler is usually way overkill for most vehicles.

 

I think cheaper solution would be to just change your fluid more often.

 

On that note, if I was having to change my fluid periodically, I would totally install a cooler during one of the changes.

It seems like making a mess when cutting into the lines and topping up the fluid is the most onerous part of the cooler installation.

 

Having a cooler will add the amount of ATF required. Measuring the ATF level will become somewhat more complicated because you will need the cooler itself and lines to be full of fluid.

 

here is some relevant info I have gathered on the topic

Derale 13504 Series 8000
https://derale.com/product-footer/f...ers/hyper-cool/hyper-cool-1/trans-cooler-kits
https://www.4runners.com/threads/5th-gen-trans-cooler.11238/page-2#post-200580
Hayden Automotive 698 Transmission Oil Cooler

$65 Hayden Automotive 698 Transmission Oil Cooler

https://www.amazon.com/Hayden-Automotive-698-Transmission-Cooler/dp/B01MYMSGFD/

B&M SuperCooler Oil Coolers 70264
no longer made?
https://www.holley.com/products/discontinued_product/parts/70264
Mishimoto Transmission or Steering Cooler Kit
https://www.supremefabworks.com/pro...mishimoto-transmission-or-steering-cooler-kit

Iconic Fabrication Offroad (transmission cooler bracket)
https://iconicfabricationoffroad.com/products/2010-4runner-transmission-cooler-bracket-kit
https://www.4runners.com/threads/transmission-cooler-question.44286/#post-712224
Goliath Offroad (transmission cooler bracket)
https://goliathoffroad.com/products/4-runner-transmission-cooler-bracket

Your Covers deeper transmission pan
Your Covers Toyota A750E, A750F Deep Part Number 11112
https://yourcovers.com/pml-toyota-a750e-a750f-deep-transmission-pan.html
https://www.4runners.com/threads/transmission-coolers.32901/#post-473587
https://www.4runners.com/threads/tr...e-after-fluid-change.45996/page-2#post-768297

Bevinsee coolant reservoir
https://www.bevinsee.com/products/coolant-reservoir-for-toyota-4runner-2010-2024



long story short:

a daily driver on flat ground, no to little towing, city usage and once or twice yearly long road trips (in the same region), mild climate doesn't need the cooler
change your transmission fluid every 100K

a vehicle in mountain area could benefit
a vehicle that tows stuff regularly could benefit
a vehicle that goes off-road and climbs hills/rocks / puts more stress on engine & truck could benefit
a vehicle with skid plates could benefit (because the skids do trap more hot air)
a vehicle that lives in an extreme heat region (many 100F + days) could benefit

now if your vehicle has 2 or more of the above usage conditions then I'd say get the transmission cooler for extended life of the transmission and peace of mind.
change your fluid every 60K (severe usage per Toyota)

 

I look into this add-on. Seems like a decent idea, but I’m not towing anything. However I may in the future, so I reached out to someone who has a 5th gen and tows a lot off road with a loaded Turtleback. He responded he monitors it and he’s seen in the 250’s BUT does a drain and fill every 25k and has had zero issues.

I bought an Ultra Gauge and if I ever get a trailer, do the same.Heck I may drain and fill at every 25k anyway!

Trail Safe!

 

Similar situation as you, but I decided against a cooler. I’m thinking it makes more sense to monitor and manage the temps by shifting down when needed. It seems like it’s permanently adding extra complication for an infrequent situations.

Sure it seems simple…it’s just a couple of hoses and a heat exchanger. But it would suck to spring a leak because of a bad part, or bad installation. The thing is that failure could come 100,000 miles after installation, and could potentially wreck a transmission right when the vehicle is old and serviceable, but when it’s not worth spending multiple thousands for an expensive repair.

 

What is the frequency of transmission failure on a 5th Gen daily driver? I suspect it is about the same as getting struck by lightning or eaten by an alligator……..

 

Hard to say. Failures don’t come up often on the forums, but that doesn’t mean they don’t happen.

It is worth keeping in mind that if someone is asking on a forum about adding a cooler to keep temps down, there’s a higher than average chance they are using the vehicle harder than the typical car owner. If that’s the case, then the person asking might comparable to person that likes to fish in waters where alligators live, which means that they’re more likely to be eaten by an alligator than somebody living in New York.

 

I don't know why you wouldn't install a cooler with 33's, a lift, and driving in the Rockies. The

$65 Hayden 698 Transmission Oil Cooler

Hayden 698 has the thermostat built in so there's no detriment to winter driving, and cooler temps will always result in a transmission that lasts longer and requires less fluid changes. Alot of higher mileage Toyota's have issues with the torque converter slipping due to old fluid. The fluid looses its properties every time it goes over about 220 degrees F. Also the trans temp dash light comes on at 300 degrees. By that time the trans is starting to become damaged already.

 

I've never seen the transmission light come on in a Toyota yet. I do and did install a cooler. I have driven old Mopars and that was the first thing I did to prolong the life of the transmission, fluid and increases volume. With 33s, you're creating more heat with the longer shift times between gears. Still I wouldn't worry. I did for longevity and reliability and it really increases fluid life and properties. I have a power steering cooler and filter also. I'm going for longevity and reliability for the long haul.

 

The A750 was used in foreign market diesel Land Cruisers and early 2nd gen V8 Tundras, so it has an easy life in the 4Runner. Driver error (staying in 4hi when should be in 4low off road) is the most probable way to overheat this transmission, as demonstrated here: https://www.4runners.com/threads/high-transmission-temp.45292/

But New York is a sanctuary state, so alligator attacks are documented as consensual.

 

Check these bad boyz out....

https://www.mishimoto.com/mishimoto-in-line-thermostat.html

https://www.mishimoto.com/transmiss...mission & Oil Coolers > Universal Oil Coolers

 

What if someone who lives in NY goes fishing to Florida or areas where alligators live?

 

^Their 4Runners come back looking like this