Bypass AC Condensor for Independant Trans Cooler

I'm borrowing a photo from another post for illustration purposes, but has anyone bypassed the AC condenser on a 2.5 gen Tundra when adding an independant transmission cooler and putting plugs on the condenser lines?

What benefit would having the condenser inline with the cooler provide since the truck already has a thermostat before allowing trans fluid to flow to the cooler anyway?

Any guidance or experience would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

The early second gens had a seperate transmission cooler. I don't know if you could find the parts and swap it over.

 

Interesting. I've got a 2018 and it looks like the image above (minus cooler not yet installed). I'm going to add a 20 row Setrab cooler and make my own bracket to mount. I'm just debating whether to bypass the AC condenser or leave it inline.

 

My 2021 does not have the small OE cooler. My experience with an aftermarket stacked plate cooler (Improved Racing MHX-514) has been transmission temps never exceed 195. I've seen 225 coming out of the torque convertor when pulling a steep grade with the TC unlocked, but the fluid in the pan has never exceeded 195. The TC fluid temps fall right back down to around 195-200 when it locks up. Between the thermostat restricting flow when the fluid is cold and the fluid being warmed by coolant, you won't see temps below 190-195 so I don't think there's any real benefit to keeping the stock cooler but at the same time there's probably not any negatives to it either.

 

I see no reason why you'd keep the AC condenser in line if you are running a separate cooler. Just more places for leaks and more complication.

 

@Jhon, this is my thinking as well. That there may be no difference in temps with the AC condenser inline or not. I'm inclined to try it inline while towing and then bypass and tow again (same route on consecutive days should provide same ambient outdoor temps) and compare results. Happy to report results of this if there's interest?

 

@centex, good point. More connection points = more opportunities for failure. Strange to me why the Genuine Cooling Systems kit for our trucks designed it (when they had the kit for sale which they no longer do) with the AC condenser inline.