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Upgraded trans cooler

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by Baller, Jun 27, 2019.

  1. Jun 27, 2019 at 3:58 PM
    #1
    Baller

    Baller [OP] New Member

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    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:
    [​IMG]

    After:
    [​IMG]

    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?
     
    yoshi82, Filthyphil, bmf4069 and 4 others like this.
  2. Jun 27, 2019 at 4:28 PM
    #2
    Jerry311SD

    Jerry311SD New Member

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    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.
     
  3. Jun 27, 2019 at 4:38 PM
    #3
    Baller

    Baller [OP] New Member

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    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.
     
    Last edited: Jun 27, 2019
  4. Jun 27, 2019 at 4:53 PM
    #4
    because_wumbo-truck

    because_wumbo-truck TTC#036 & 1st Degenerate

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    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
     
  5. Jun 27, 2019 at 5:02 PM
    #5
    Baller

    Baller [OP] New Member

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    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.
     
  6. Jun 27, 2019 at 5:17 PM
    #6
    remington351

    remington351 New Member

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    yoshi82 likes this.
  7. Jun 27, 2019 at 5:24 PM
    #7
    Baller

    Baller [OP] New Member

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

     
    NewImprovedRon likes this.
  8. Jun 27, 2019 at 6:41 PM
    #8
    FirstGenVol

    FirstGenVol Brake Czar

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    I talked to another 1st gen guy on Instagram that added a fan. He said there was no noticeable improvement.
     
  9. Jun 27, 2019 at 6:42 PM
    #9
    KarmaKannon

    KarmaKannon Master of None

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    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.
     
  10. Jun 28, 2019 at 8:54 AM
    #10
    FirstGenVol

    FirstGenVol Brake Czar

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    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.
     
  11. Jun 28, 2019 at 9:34 AM
    #11
    Baller

    Baller [OP] New Member

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    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.
     
  12. Jun 28, 2019 at 10:40 AM
    #12
    FirstGenVol

    FirstGenVol Brake Czar

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    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.
     
    because_wumbo-truck likes this.
  13. Jun 28, 2019 at 10:49 AM
    #13
    bmf4069

    bmf4069 Yup, that's car parts in a dishwasher

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    Those do look like Escalade headlights.
     
  14. Jun 28, 2019 at 10:54 AM
    #14
    Baller

    Baller [OP] New Member

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    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.
     
  15. Jun 28, 2019 at 12:46 PM
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    Darkness

    Darkness Allergic to white

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    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.
     
  16. Jun 28, 2019 at 12:49 PM
    #16
    Baller

    Baller [OP] New Member

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    Are the fans thermostat controlled/automatic or wired to a manual switch?
     
    Jerry311SD likes this.
  17. Jun 28, 2019 at 2:07 PM
    #17
    Darkness

    Darkness Allergic to white

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    I think Dyogim had his on a manual switch so he could turn it off for water crossings. I'll have to go look.
     
  18. Jun 28, 2019 at 3:36 PM
    #18
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    What is your temp reading when you stop? What temp does it jump to?
     
  19. Jun 28, 2019 at 3:40 PM
    #19
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    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?
     
    Sunnier likes this.
  20. Jun 28, 2019 at 3:56 PM
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    FirstGenVol

    FirstGenVol Brake Czar

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    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. o_O
     
  21. Jun 28, 2019 at 4:00 PM
    #21
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    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.
     
    Filthyphil likes this.
  22. Jun 28, 2019 at 4:14 PM
    #22
    Baller

    Baller [OP] New Member

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    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.
     
  23. Jul 1, 2019 at 7:30 PM
    #23
    Jerry311SD

    Jerry311SD New Member

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    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.

    IMG_20190701_191649.jpg
    IMG_20190701_191703.jpg
     
  24. Jul 1, 2019 at 7:45 PM
    #24
    TX-TRD1stGEN

    TX-TRD1stGEN Privileged

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    Some good reading here.

    IMG_2303.jpg
     
  25. Jul 2, 2019 at 7:44 AM
    #25
    FirstGenVol

    FirstGenVol Brake Czar

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    That's neat. He's using BOTH! That's like using 2 condoms. I love it.
     
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  26. Jul 2, 2019 at 7:57 AM
    #26
    Jerry311SD

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  27. Jul 2, 2019 at 8:43 AM
    #27
    Ynot_tonY

    Ynot_tonY Merciful

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    Hate to tell you, but using two condoms at the same time increases the chance of them breaking.
     
  28. Jul 2, 2019 at 11:01 AM
    #28
    Baller

    Baller [OP] New Member

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    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.
     
    JohnLakeman and speedtre like this.
  29. Jul 2, 2019 at 11:10 AM
    #29
    speedtre

    speedtre New Member

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    Not to mention introducing another point of failure to the system...
     
  30. Jul 2, 2019 at 11:36 AM
    #30
    empty_lord

    empty_lord They see me rollin'

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    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
     
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