Transmission Cooler?

Start at 13:59 for evaluation of the transmission and discussion of coolers.

https://youtu.be/l2OAHImTgA8?si=OAoEZpgySkhMGik2&t=840

 

Installed 11/7, 15-Row



Genuine Cooling Systems, full kit.

 

New to the forum. My wife’s grandfather was leasing a 2020 Tundra SR5 double cab that I was able to buy for the pay off amount when it was time for him to turn it in. It had 24k miles when I got it in June. Knowing all the service history and how he babied it, I couldn’t pass it up. I’ve been reading though the forum and decided to add a transmission cooler also.
The kit was out of my price range so I’ve been gathering the parts over the past few months and finally have everything I need. I went ahead and downloaded OBD fusion to get some before numbers for comparison. I live on the SC coast so the terrain is pretty flat so the reading surprised me a bit. It was rainy and in the low 60s today. I had the cruise set at 45.

 

First, welcome.fro..Metrowest MA.

Second, congrats on your purchase. Sounds like a great opportunity that you capitalized on.

Question: What part of your reading has you surprised? Most people were seeing around 225-250 unloaded. At or under 200 is great compared to factory acceptable levels. Hope that is helpful.

 

I live in upstate sc and that’s around what I see just driving around with no cooler in the winter. About 5-10 degrees warmer in summer. Really the only time I see anything remotely close to the 220-250 numbers some have reported is if I’m sitting in traffic and not moving it might creep towards 220. But it quickly sheds about 10 degrees once I start moving

 

I do wonder if these non-cooled transmissions will all start failing at some point OR if they will all just keep working like Toyotas have a tendency to do.

 

Thanks.
Honestly I wasn’t sure what to expect. Seeing 200 when it’s 60 degrees out and raining made me a little nervous as to what it might hit in the summer heat. Either way I’ll feel better once I get the cooler installed. We usually make a couple trips to the NC mountains each year and between the wife and 3 kids, we’re usually pretty loaded down.

 

Don't forget the thermostat that is mentioned in the video in post 61. He says these transmission can get too cold without it. He is in Illinois so I expect he means where folks drive them in the winter.

 

Finished up the install on Saturday.

 

Do these kits go on sale at all? Forum discount code? I like the idea of getting the kit versus sourcing individual parts, but $1300 is a little high.

 

@Genuine Cooling Systems is an approved vendor here... Maybe shoot them a PM and see what they'll do for ya

 

I just got my transmission a drain and fill at 29k miles on my 21. The shifting was super harsh going into gear from park, anytime into reverse etc... It is so much smoother now it isn't even funny.

I was on the fence about getting a cooler, but I can't really deny it needs it after that, unless it wasn't filled right at the factory. Time to save up a few bucks and maybe give it to myself as a Christmas present.

 

If you source all the parts yourself and use all OEM minus the cooler and bracket of course, I don't think its much of a savings but the guy that makes the kits is a forum member, he actually came up with the idea on here and had tons of requests so started a little side business out of it, very nice and helpful guy and there is a thread on here that he does post sales from time to time in if you keep an eye out.
https://www.tundras.com/threads/5-7l-transmission-cooler-kits.60550/page-56#post-3710411

 

The kit with the bracket definitely makes it nice…but I sourced all my own parts and used some aluminum scrap for mounting brackets - all in was $685 (edit - this was ~6 months ago).

 

Wbag

Did you use for a radiator?

 

I am using a Mishimoto dual-pass down low in the bumper opening and it works better than the Setrab 15 row up top behind the grille.

Sharing for the people who want to keep the grille area open for other things.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/turbo-charging-a-tundra.115951/page-40#post-3634504

Rest of the install is GCS, including the replacement rubber lines to reach the new location. Kudos to them for doing all the hard work and filling a need when nobody could/would. They are also responsive when it comes to post sales support.

 

This Setrab 15 row:

$174 Setrab 9 Series ProLine Engine Oil Cooler, 15 Row with M22 Ports

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TO67N8I?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

I've been running the Genuine Cooling Systems kit for 3 years now. No issues, no leaks, and I haven't seen a pan temp above 195, ever. In fact I think it actually took about 1-2 degrees out of the engine coolant temp.

 

Yeah there is just a hair of profit in that price.

There are only 4 OEM parts (thermo-2 hose connectors and 1 set of hard pipes (though some run hose the whole way) + your favorite cooler/clamps. There are OEM holes that can be used for mounting cutting that cost down some more. So all in I did it for under $450. Probably could have saved more if I used my bro in law for Toyo discounts - I'm sure this can all be had for 350-375. Luck all.

 

Just trying to clarify. The entire kit, including the cooler, could be pieced together for under $400? That's more than a hair of profit. That said, I also have read nothing bad ever about GCS.

 

Oh yeah it is very Good stuff - No Doubt. Yet most of it is OEM to begin with so it should be.