Bought a transmission cooler for my 2021 Tundra TRD Pro. Thoughts on installing it myself Vs. Dealer

Good afternoon gentlemen.

Since I bought my 2021 Tundra brand new I have averaged 5-6 big towing trips with my parents camper every year. I live in Texas so outside of two of those trips to Colorado, the towing has always been in Texas where it is flat. With that said, I discovered because my buddy who owns a 2020 Tundra had his transmission overheating regularly in Colorado where he lives, that after installing a transmission cooler it eliminated the overheating he was having.

Anyway, I bought a scan tool last month for the latest camping adventure with the family, and found my transmission was averaging 241 degrees when towing. WTF Toyota! Even when driving normal it averaged over 200 degrees with regular driving.

Thank God I changed my transmission fluid at 60,000 miles, because if I had waited until 100,000 I am confident my transmission would have been toast (trailer weighs 6,050 dry and 7,100 when fully loaded.

Anyway, the transmission cooler I bought is the Genuine Cooling Systems unit https://genuinecoolingsystems.com/. It doesn't look too bad to get on but I have never put something like this on my truck.

Has anyone done this particular unit, and if so what was your experience like installing it yourself? For those that did buy it and did not install it yourself, did you go to your local dealer or have a 3rd party shop put it on? Thanks!

 

I thought it was a relatively simple install, I got stuck on one step with hardline routing forward mount bolt location.

 

Here you go. Many of us have used this video from @2020Platinum

https://www.tundras.com/threads/transmission-cooler-install.78658/#post-1993560

 

Im going thru the same thing look @ you tube Genuine cooling systems 2019-2021 toyota tundra very helpful ! YOU CAN Do IT

 

If you can do it yourself, I would. I don't even trust the dealer to do an oil change properly.

 

I installed mine using this video. It's pretty straightforward. The hardest part is is getting the hard lines in.
https://youtu.be/Ep5CNhdMnhE?si=h1WutXUIuSIkaBu3

 

You can definitely do it, just watch the videos on you tube. I with the help of a friend did it in an afternoon. I originally talked to a dealer about doing it, but they were talking like 4-5 hours at $125/hour three years ago.

 

If you aren’t mechanically inclined and aren’t comfortable with properly checking the level in filling and draining the transmission then don’t do it, otherwise it’s pretty straight forward and not too difficult

Watch a video on how to properly check the level of the tranny; if you think that’s above your pay grade then just take it to a good local shop people trust and see if they’ll throw the kit on for you

 

If you've got basic mechanical skills and can follow directions, you can do it! Running the hard lines was the most difficult for me, but I still got it done and saved $600 my local dealer said they would charge to do the install. Give yourself a weekend to be safe and take your time.

 

thanks for sharing brother! OP, it’s honestly not a bad job at all. My video literally walks ya through step by step. If you have any questions I’m always happy to help!

 

Always. I refer your videos so much I should just link them in my build thread haha. Im actually going to look at your rock light video again.

 

I appreciate it man!! Just posted one on upgraded Turbo Inlet Pipes. I can’t stop messing with these trucks, it’s an addiction. Lol.

 

Curious if you were towing in S4 or drive. There is a TSB for those that see high transmission temperatures while towing. I've had it done and it seems to keep the torque converter locked up more and thus reduce transmission temperatures.

 

It is an addiction for sure. Im looking at replacing my 4 Rigid fog lights with DD SS3 Pros with the amber backlight. I just dumped my Toytecs for some Bilstein 8100 and 8112's along with Frozen rotors. I'm also waiting for my Alpine Halo 9 to arrive.

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Did it myself in a couple of hours. Like other’s have said, routing the hard lines is the hardest part. Take your time and enjoy lower trans temps and not paying someone a lot of money.