2019+ Transmission Cooler Question

Before purchasing my new-to-me 2020 Tundra I saw many posts that led me to believe the 2019+ Tundras do not have transmission coolers. I was a bit concerned as I wanted to do some towing and live in a pretty hilly area. However, this is what the Toytoa site says about my truck when I looked up the VIN:

Can someone clarify or did I just read some bad posts?

 

Yeah, they told a little white lie there.

https://toyotatundra.realtimelawyers.com/

 

The way they worded it is a bit ambiguous but there is no dedicated cooler for the transmission from 2019-2021.

 

I tow some mild hills with mine, heavy TT at 8k#. S4 and tow haul. I see temps around 230° peak and 221° mostly when cruising, pan temps. If it’s reeeeeaaaaaallly hilly where you are, a trans cooler is a good idea.

 

In previous model years, the exact same component was labeled as a heater. For 2019 -2021 models the auxillary air-to-oil cooler was removed, and the heater was now called a cooler.

The issue with this cooler is it is minimally effective. Worse still is there is no control over the temps.

The good news is the AB60F transmission might be the toughest automatic transmission ever devised so not having the cooler isn't a white-knuckle priority.

I got my cooler kit from Genuine Cooling Systems and it has worked like an OEM part for over 3 years.

Genuine Cooling Systems

 

I recommend you buy-install the 4 OEM parts listed in post 1 of this thread + a good plate cooler. I bought them for less than $350 - and I sleep much better now.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/parts-list-for-adding-oem-trans-cooler-to-5-7l.125248/

 

I also recommend a kit from @Genuine Cooling Systems. Outstanding guy to deal with and will get you what you need.

 

There are some long grades around here. I saw 225°F at the pan unloaded on the highway. Installed a cooler, and I can’t get my pan anywhere near that temp if I try now.

I started doing drain and fills (swapping in ~5qt of new OEM ATF) @ 60k miles and will do it every 20-30k.

 

You didn't read bad posts, the bad info was from Toyota/dealer. You will *probably* be OK if you never tow. If you tow, I'd definitely install one. Even without towing, I was easily in the 220F+ range on the highway, flat ground. After install I stay around 185-195F, no matter what.

 

agreed.

pin the thermostat open & you will cruise around @ 170 degrees.

 

Mine is a 2021 and they removed the "false" statement from the description I am not covered

 

Same here but I knew going in. I signed up here and saw the threads. Motor oil, OCI, cool trannies and will XXX tires fit.

 

So you are running 35's with 5W30, at 5k OCI with a cooler then.

 

Here's the performance of my pinned GCS transmission cooler today. It was 113 deg F in Las Vegas. Pics show temps while stopped at a traffic light and moving again in a hilly area on my way home.

I own a 2020. Get a transmission cooler.

TFT = Torque Converter temp
TFP = Pan temp

 

Great replies folks thanks for the info! Looks like I'll be budgeting a kit soon, lol.

 

Actually getting a transmission cooler added to my 2020 today. Regularly saw 240-250 temps. Hopefully it’s done here shortly.