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Adding a transmission cooler

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by Upgrayedd, Jan 24, 2019.

  1. Jan 24, 2019 at 8:04 AM
    #1
    Upgrayedd

    Upgrayedd [OP] Toyotaholic

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    In my search to find a trans cooler for my 4.6 I came across this video. I’m sure @Roman has some of the parts I need to do this and it seems easy enough. My question after watching this video is if there is a better mounting solution for the cooler than the push through zip ties? How is a stock 5.7 cooler mounted?

     
  2. Jan 24, 2019 at 9:07 AM
    #2
    Roman

    Roman Toyota Parts Master Vendor

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    It's a little different on the trans cooler for the 5.7. Check out these diagrams:

    Untitled.jpg
    Untitled.jpg

    So the trans coolers are in the first image with the lines running up to the radiator. You can see the other cooler in the second image and trace the lines to where they go as well. It is all cooled using existing hookups to the stock radiator. You'll be adding an external unit, like a mini radiator just for the transmission. I have seen some people use some brackets and hardware for mounting the trans cooler through the radiator, but most people that I know of use zip ties.
     
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  3. Jan 24, 2019 at 9:16 AM
    #3
    Capt J-Rod

    Capt J-Rod New Member

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    You need to be a little careful with a trans cooler. On tacoma world there is a guy named gearcruncher who is the transmission guy. Turns out you can over cool the trans. That's why there's a thermostat in the trailer towing package on the 5.7. Uf you are in a warm climate and you are seeing high temps then by all means... Are you monitoring your trans temp with a device like the scan gauge 2 or ultra gauge? The other recommendation is to change the fluid every 50k if you are hard on the truck. WS fluid is kinda sketchy compared to some other synthetic fluid. Valvoline max life seems to be common or amsoil. I towed my 4.6 pretty hard with the factory equipment and it never got super hot. I had a few trips in traffic, in the city, in the 90 degree heat where the temps got a little hot. Never really scared me because I always had clean fluid in it. Is there an aftermarket thermostat that would bypass the cooler in the cold?
    Now as far as mounting it is probably a matter of moving the horn and building a few brackets.
     
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  4. Jan 24, 2019 at 9:23 AM
    #4
    Upgrayedd

    Upgrayedd [OP] Toyotaholic

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    Thanks for the diagrams @Roman looks like the zip tie method will probably work well enough.

    @Capt J-Rod I will be adding the OE Toyota thermostat plate so everything should work like a stock 5.7, just with an aftermarket cooler. The reason I would like to add the cooler is because I tow a 7x14 enclosed trailer through the hills of PA fairly often and would like the added peace of mind that the transmission won’t overheat. I will be doing a transmission service real soon. I’m at 59k miles.
     
  5. Jan 24, 2019 at 9:34 AM
    #5
    Upgrayedd

    Upgrayedd [OP] Toyotaholic

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    This is what I have currently. The stock setup is no cooler, just the heat exchanger to get the trans up to temp quicker. Once I add the 5.7 cooler plate, I’ll have the thermostat and 2 hose fittings to hook up the external cooler lines.

    E2766E04-260D-445F-8437-3020EDF6C16D.jpg

    And a screenshot of the video with the plate installed.

    1E916311-5E0A-4CFD-9104-508D31EB3D1A.jpg
     
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  6. Jan 24, 2019 at 11:21 AM
    #6
    gladecreekwy

    gladecreekwy Wyoming

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    What’s the risk with overcooling the transmission? Wouldn’t it be overcooled during the winter even without a cooler?
     
  7. Jan 24, 2019 at 11:42 AM
    #7
    salmonator

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    Transmission is designed to run at 200 ish degrees. The factory setup has a heat exchanger that uses the coolant to heat (or cool) the transmission fluid. The tow package adds a thermostat to this so that when the fluid temp exceeds about 200 degrees it opens and sends trans fluid to an auxiliary cooler. Fluid still runs through the first heat exchanger before it goes to the auxiliary cooler.

    I just ordered the thermostat parts to add to my 2019 4.6 I am pretty sure these are correct.

    Description:THERMOSTAT, TRANSMISSION OIL
    Part Number: 3297134030
    Quantity:1

    Description:RING, O (FOR TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER)
    Part Number: 9030120012
    Quantity:2
     
  8. Jan 24, 2019 at 11:55 AM
    #8
    040Tundra

    040Tundra Teddy 2013-2019

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    A little of this and a little of that.
    Looks like a PITA to install. Keep us posted...
     
  9. Jan 24, 2019 at 12:37 PM
    #9
    salmonator

    salmonator New Member

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    FYI, you may know this but I think the part number for the thermostat is different on the 4.6 vs 5.7. Also the "thermostat" replaces the "spacer" that is on the non towing package equipped rigs, its not just the actual thermostat. At least I think so. If you find out different, please let us know :)
     
  10. Jan 24, 2019 at 12:43 PM
    #10
    Upgrayedd

    Upgrayedd [OP] Toyotaholic

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    That’s good to know. So the part you ordered is off a 10-13 4.6 with tow package? And yeah looking at pics I saw that it was the whole back plate with a thermostat built in.
     
  11. Jan 24, 2019 at 12:43 PM
    #11
    Capt J-Rod

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    Good to see that you guys are actually doing it right. I was going to add a bigger cooler to my Taco, but the temps weren't as big of a deal as I thought. FYI, 4-low really cranks up the temps!!!!
     
  12. Jan 24, 2019 at 5:02 PM
    #12
    salmonator

    salmonator New Member

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    Also thinking it would be a good idea to add a ball valve on the cooler return line to facilitate easier trans fluid changes.
    Yes, as far as I know the 14-19 4.6 tundras Never had the tow package/cooler option from the factory so you won’t see it listed by year for the newer ones.
     
  13. Sep 29, 2019 at 5:33 PM
    #13
    Rica25

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    Do all 5.7 Tundra have tow package or transmission cooler?
     
  14. Sep 29, 2019 at 5:34 PM
    #14
    Rica25

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    Now I'm confused if u have 4.10 or 4.3 gears
     
  15. Jun 3, 2020 at 10:59 PM
    #15
    tim73

    tim73 New Member

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    Upgreyedd did you ever install the spacer? If so, what was the outcome? Im kinda in the same boat, no external cooler...no factory tow package etc. Thanks!
     
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  16. Jun 4, 2020 at 5:56 AM
    #16
    JohnLakeman

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    Congratulations on finding this thread. It's short, comprehensive, and begins with excellent parts input from @Roman. The part numbers posted by @salmonator are accurate.

    If you need to add a cooler to your 4.6L for the towing that you do, it's clearly an easy bolt-in job using Toyota parts. Before spending a bunch of money to do this, you should determine if your actual transmission operating temperatures warrant the expense. Unfortunately, the video originally linked appears to have gone dark to keep it from being viewed. The still photo posted does show a 4.6L, so the video was definitely good info.

    Personally, I would also purchase the pre-bent tubes (32907-0C040) and rubber connector hoses (Part Numbers TBD) from @Roman to get as close to Toyota engineering as possible. The tubes have metal mounting brackets attached where the tubes can mounted to the chassis as Toyota engineers intended. Add a high quality aftermarket heat exchanger, and tube/hose fittings to adapt, and you will be good to go.

    Using @Roman pic above, parts and torques:

    Grp Mark 1: Replace existing spacer plate with 32971-34030 using new o-rings.

    Grp Mark 2: Reinstall existing warmer/cooler using new o-rings.

    Install Toyota 32907-0C040 pre-bent cooler lines, and Toyota rubber coupling hoses.

    Grp Mark 3: Forego these Toyota hoses and use ATF compatible hose from auto supply store. You could modify the ends of these Toyota hoses, but that will add additional joints that could leak.

    Grp Mark 4: Not applicable for aftermarket heat exchanger retrofit.


    Transmission Cooler Retrofit.jpg

    Toyota WS fluid is not full synthetic; it is a synthetic blend. If the transmission temps warrant, you should look at converting (all 13 quarts) to a full synthetic fluid at the first change to buy some safety margin. There is a lot of Toyota owner experience with Valvoline MaxLife, and it is a compatible synthetic fluid. For synthetic fluid, I believe I would try to keep transmission temps below about 240 degrees. Valvoline tech says MaxLife begins to thermally degrade about 280 degrees, but again, I would keep a safety margin.
     
    Last edited: Jun 4, 2020
  17. Jun 4, 2020 at 6:47 AM
    #17
    tim73

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    Thanks John. Nice of you to take the time, most forums are kinda dead any more. Anyway, guess i need to research the 5.7 part numbers. Make sure they’re all the same. I’ll hook up my mx808, it should have trans temp in it...to give me an idea what it’s running. Planning on pulling a 7000lb travel trailer.
     
  18. Jun 4, 2020 at 8:09 AM
    #18
    Mike19

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  19. Jun 4, 2020 at 4:07 PM
    #19
    JohnLakeman

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    Ahhh...Yes, @tim73, if you have a 5.7L, the part numbers will be different.

    Discussion in this thread is for adding the transmission cooler to the 4.6L without the tow package. If you have a 5.7L, you will need other part numbers. There are other threads for adding a transmission cooler to 2019+ 5.7L. If you have an earlier Gen3 5.7L without the transmission cooler, the process and part numbers will be exactly the same as for 2019+ 5.7L.
     
  20. Jun 5, 2020 at 9:19 AM
    #20
    Vizsla

    Vizsla ☠️☠️☠️

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    FYI all “gen 3” 5.7 engines came standard with tow package
     
  21. Jun 5, 2020 at 12:32 PM
    #21
    Joe333x

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    I was unaware that you could replace WS with MaxLife... What do you think about mixing the two? I want to do just a drain and fill which I think is something like 4qts.

    Just found this
     
  22. Jun 5, 2020 at 1:52 PM
    #22
    hagrid

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    It worked delightfully for chocolate vanilla swirl icecream cones.
     
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  23. Jun 5, 2020 at 2:07 PM
    #23
    Joe333x

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    Valvoline themselves say that the two are compatible and can be mixed. Why compare it to chocolate vanilla ice cream swirls do they repel each?
     
  24. Jun 5, 2020 at 5:12 PM
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    hagrid

    hagrid The most diverse of Diversity Hires!

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    Indeed not! The icecream swirl was hailed the world over as a supreme triumph.

    Wait.

    Have you not yet had the pleasure of a chocolate vanilla swirl icecream cone?
     
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  25. Jun 5, 2020 at 5:38 PM
    #25
    Joe333x

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    Thanks for your helpful contribution to the forum. Thankful for the ignore function.
     
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  26. Jun 5, 2020 at 5:50 PM
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    Vizsla

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    That stinks. I ate ice cream deliciousness twice today. Thanks @hagrid lol.
     
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  27. Jun 5, 2020 at 5:58 PM
    #27
    Joe333x

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    So I ask legitimate question about mixing max life and ws fluid. I actually found the answer myself and posted it. And two of you guys post about ice cream. I gave the first guy a chance thinking maybe he was referring to a similar situation known as the strawberry milkshake when coolant and tranny fluid mix. But nope theres just 2 trolls with nothing better to do on here than to post things completely off topic to try and derail a thread. Incase anyone actually cares it is okay according to Valvoline to mix MaxLife and ws fluid, so you can do a drain and fill with MaxLife and not worry. Unless someone constructive actually has a response as to why you can't. I didn't think tundras.com was going to be as bad as the Tacoma forum with trolls but clearly they're everywhere. Once again glad for the ignore function.
     
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  28. Jun 5, 2020 at 6:01 PM
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    sask3m

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  29. Jun 5, 2020 at 6:13 PM
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    Vizsla

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    You are missing the point, we talk about ice cream because it’s good. Toyota spells it out plain and simple use WS fluid only, anything else could be bad. So go ahead and replace WS with whatever the internet tells you is better. Lol at listening to someone’s opinion on what transmission fluid to use based on googling. I run with a few guys that push things a wee bit, WS is fine imo lol. So yes a bit of humor laughing at potentially bad second hand advice.
     
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  30. Jun 5, 2020 at 6:13 PM
    #30
    Joe333x

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    I'm thinking I'll do the same but over a course of a few years. Thinking rather than mess around with the convoluted complete drain and fill procedure requiring you to check the level at an exact temp I'll just drain what comes out of the pan and fill it back up with exactly what came out if I do it once a year I'll always have fresh fluid in there. I try to go with fluids that are readily available at brick and mortars around me. So amsoil is out, while they do offer a great product I cant back their shady business practices of requiring a membership to order it. I guess if you have a place local that sells it at a good price then that's okay though.
     
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