Upgraded trans cooler

I've got GM product that I use to haul my family of seven around in and pull a camper or boat from time to time. During summer camping trips, over mountain passes, the trans would heat up pretty good. It would get warm enough to bother me a bit, at times. I replaced the stock cooler with a Tru-Cool Max 40k unit; a pretty well document swap in the GM world. I've been shocked how well it works.

Before:


After:


Anyways, I've pondered giving the Tundra the same kind of treatment. The same cooler won't work on the Tundra. Is there a well established/documented upgrade for our 1st Gens?

 

I was wondering the same.
I was looking into keeping the stock cooler just adding a 6-7 inch fan on the front of it. Or getting another OEM trans cooler and using both side by side.

 

I was just looking at the Tru-Cool LPD coolers and was wondering which one is the biggest I could fit. I'll measure when I get home to see what I can do. I'd rather not have to add a fan. For simplicity, I'd like to just add greater cooling capacity while keeping as much of the existing cooling lines in place/functional.

 

I know the first gen tacomas had a popular mod involving an aux trans cooler. It was mostly done for supercharged 3.4L v6's with the auto trans. Might be a good place to start looking. Most would do it in line with the stock trans cooler

 

Does anyone know what sized the barbed hose is coming out of the stock cooler? 11/32? 3/8? I'm sold on the Tru-Cool products.

 

This guy likes the tru-cool coolers as well. But he says you have it mounted upside-down. Discussion starts at :28 seconds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIKNpbhsiKQ

 

He's wrong. I'll go with what the manufacturer recommends.

 

I talked to another 1st gen guy on Instagram that added a fan. He said there was no noticeable improvement.

 

I replaced one of my hoses that was leaking and I used a 3/8". No idea if that's correct but that's what I used. It could have possibly been a little tighter but I doubled up the clamps.

 

For the guys that do actual wheeling. I'd like to know how they are keeping their trans temps in check. I've been monitoring mine in the heat these past few days and once you come to a stop the temp jumps up FAST. If you're moving slow off-road in 4WD it seems like you'd be over 200 in a hurry. One of the 1st gen guys I follow online had his tranny shit the bed after a trip to Moab.

 

First, how are you monitoring yours? Do you have an ODBII tool that you can get real time telemetry on your phone? Honestly, I can't say what my Tundra has ever done because I don't have the ability to monitor it. Everything I know is based on my Cadi that I can monitor. I'd love to be able to get real time info on the Tundra. Also, I'm not sure about our Tundras but, in my Cadi, when it's in tow mode, it locks up more. The decreased slip keeps the tranny cooler. Do our Tundras do the same? If so, wheeling in tow mode will help.

 

That's correct. I bought one of those $10 OBD bluetooth plugins and then another member showed me how to use the Torque Pro app to get real time info. What is a Cadi? You've got tow mode on a Cadillac?

The only thing we can do is lock out overdrive. There is no tow mode on my 02.

 

Those do look like Escalade headlights.

 

It's short for Cadillac. Yes there's a tow mode. It's remarkably useful. Not only does it optimize tranny lock up, it also changes shift points and engages the trans to help with breaking down hills.

 

A few guys on TS put in bigger trans cooler with fans, I'll see if I can find them later. The fans only help when you're driving slow.

 

Are the fans thermostat controlled/automatic or wired to a manual switch?

 

I think Dyogim had his on a manual switch so he could turn it off for water crossings. I'll have to go look.

 

What is your temp reading when you stop? What temp does it jump to?

 

From my research: The bigger transmission radiator is the better of the two upgrades, where the electric fan is helpful but can cause some other problems.

I researched a radiator (name?) back in the winter and lots of good reviews from Taco guys. It was $80?

 

I've seen it jump to 185 when it was hot out as I stopped at a red light. And thats only for 2-3 mins top. 185 isn't too dangerous apparently, but it makes me wonder what it would jump to if I was carrying a load or stopped a long time. I'm probably overthinking it.

 

I’ve idled for long periods in the summer heat over the years. Think I’d have serious problems by now if it was a problem. As long as my 239° warning light doesn’t come on, I’m ok with it.

 

I'm pretty sure 185 isn't dangerous at all. I've heard people mention you can get in the 220 range and you won't have troubles, albeit for a very short amount of time and not doing it often.

 

My next project will be adding a bigger trans cooler.
More cooling can only help right?
I'm going to cut in half or modify this bracket. Maybe just remove the center section of it so I can fit a big cooler in.
I'll take pictures and document everything and share it. Probably in a few weeks I'll do this.

 

Some good reading here.

 

That's neat. He's using BOTH! That's like using 2 condoms. I love it.

 

$32 Hayden Aluminum Automotive 403 Ultra-Cool Tube and Fin Transmission Cooler

https://www.amazon.com/Hayden-Autom...ion+cooler&qid=1562078627&s=automotive&sr=1-5

Im looking at this one.



Might also do an Engine oil cooler maybe ...

 

Hate to tell you, but using two condoms at the same time increases the chance of them breaking.

 

Not bad. I think I'd rather just go with one cooler that's bigger. I don't have any facts to back up my feelings but, it seems like it would be more desirable to leave a good portion of the engine fluid cooler open to unobstructed/cool air flow.

 

Not to mention introducing another point of failure to the system...

 

I wouldnt cut the bracket since it’s what helps brace the hood latch. The center bracket on my corolla broke and the damn hood rattled like a mofo