GCS Trans cooler - advice.

Picked up a 15 row transmission cooling kit from genuine cooling systems. It looks pretty good, but my mechanic won’t install it not comfortable doing it. Figured I would call around. No one near me wants to do it, says it will void warranty. Toyota Shops and transmission shops all said same thing. I believe this kit works well based on what I have read online. I have seen torque converter temperatures up to 240° without the transmission cooling kit. I believe Toyota really botched this. Can anyone recommend a shop that can do this for me in Massachusetts?

 

Did you watch the video? I did mine myself, it wasn't too bad, hardest part for me was getting the hard line in place.
https://youtu.be/Ep5CNhdMnhE?si=Afp_jtQZ35q_1xi7

 

I did. I think the hesitation is not degree of difficulty - no one wants the blame if the trans melts after install. I don’t have the space or the tools for the job. Didn’t think I’d have this issue when I ordered it. Frustrating because I know from reading about it here that it works well.

 

You can do it in a parking spot, don't need a lift or anything, you can store the grill in the bed of the truck while mount the cooler. You could get away with some cheap tools from harbor freight to do it, doesn't require any specialty tools and it sounds like you already have a way to read the trans temp. It's odd that you can't find someone, the main thread for the cooler had reports of dealers doing the install for people. Personally I just don't trust other people working on my vehicles so I like to do it myself so I know it's done correctly.

 

I installed the kit in an afternoon with a friend, I’m mechanically inclined but by no means a mechanic. Watch the install videos, you’ll be fine. And as far as your warranty my service manager said and I quote “as long as its not determined to be the cause of the trans failure.” The GCS kit is mostly Toyota parts with a good named cooler being the non Toyota part.

 

It's a pretty easy install. The hard part for me as well was the hard lines. The bolt holes were just a little far apart but got it taken care of. Make sure you have all the tools and pump for the fluid and pretty simple.

 

If you don’t want to do it yourself look for a performance shop or offroading shop. I had mine done at a local “speed shop” that specializes in modifying older (mostly toyotas), where a trans cooler would be seen as a minor modification.

 

This. Or do it yourself, take you a few good hours+. Did mine myself and have yet to graduate from YT university. (I went for the parties).

 

Got a friend(s) with a garage and some tools? You can totally get it done with simple tools.

 

I ran into this with my heated steering wheel, feel for you OP. I have decided I have to just tackle it myself, I've held off on this trans cooler because of the responses I got about the wheel. I am hoping if I have one of the shops order it themselves they will be willing.

I live in a small town, and people here are handy. I often call up guys in town for small jobs they can squeeze in on the side. Do you know someone local who is into trucks? Into off roading or owns big equipment? Stop over and ask if they'd do it on the side, might be surprised, or maybe they know a guy who needs some money and can handle it. We often forget our community members work at these places, get one after his shift!

Good luck!

 

I'm only a YouTube Certified Mechanic and did it by myself. The worst part of it is that it is tight clearances on a couple of parts, like getting that bolt into the bracket that holds the hardline off the alternator. It doesn't require any special tools.

You CAN do it, we believe!

 

Take your time
Avoid distractions while working

and take your time
Step by step is steady.
Do meet matter if you’re defusing a bomb or working a crossword puzzle.

 

What he said!

 

Where are you located?

 

Watertown, MA. Can’t believe even transmission shops around here want nothing to do with it.

 

Call around Boston. There has to be plenty of shops willing to do it.

Also, it doesn't have to be a transmission shop. I would go with a general mechanic with great reviews over a chain transmission shop. You may even have a few guys that come to you. Ask round your local fb groups, check yelp, etc etc

 

Found someone competent to install. Appreciate the input here. Was thinking of doing it myself after hearing from folks here. Have a long distance haul planned for next week, so didn’t want to risk any issues with install.

 

Don't forged to drain & fill the transmission. Your ATF is cooked.

 

Probably a stupid question, but does the ATF flow top-to-bottom or bottom-to-top in the cooler? [Assuming it flows top-to-bottom].

I'm installing a cooler on my wife's new (to us) 2016 Sequoia this coming weekend and am using rubber fuel line in lieu of the hard lines and want to know which inlet/outlet to hook up where on the cooler.

 

Flows upwards, because cooling fluid shrinks and thus stays longer in cooler. Also no air bubbles this way in the cooler, i.e. every fin works.

Parts list for adding OEM trans cooler to 5.7l for lines direction.

 

I called GCS about that and they said (per instructions) that hot transmission out to bottom of radiator and cooled radiator out to transmission is top port. I was always under the impression (like coolant system) it was opposite. They mentioned trapped air in top of radiator as the reason.

 

Do you mind sharing that phone number? Could find one for them.

 

I don't see a number anymore, I installed my cooler 3 years ago. Try emailing them?

 

I take that back, I actually emailed them.

 

This could be an opportunity to get a bunch of the MA folks together to coach you through it while we all get to hang out. Happy to travel if someone closer is interested in helping/hosting. It's really not a bad job to do, especially after someone has already done it.

 

Cooler installed. running 190 max on a 100 mile trip, 50 degree air temp, flat grade, no load. So far, so good. normal trans temp at the pan in similar conditions was 210+/-. Hooking up the RV next week and headed out. Will report back.

 

Where'd you end up getting it done?

 

Wellesley Toyota.

 

What did they charge you?