1985 4Runner, automatic, 22RE, 5.29's, 33 tires

I have owned this 4Runner for quite some time and am fairly savvy with it so I'm a little embarrassed to ask this question. I recently installed 5.29 gears and another member mentioned that I should look into installing a trans cooler (thanks AZToyman). I looked to see where I would install this, and it looks like there may already be a trans cooler between the radiator and AC condenser. Does anyone else have this on their rig - possibly it is a factory trans condenser for towing originally?

I will trace the lines just to be sure but thought I would ask. I also own a 93 Toyota truck with no AC and a manual transmission and doesn't have the AC condenser (of course) or this mystery cooler that is on my 4Runner.....

 

So after searching this site more on the mystery condenser, it appears Toyota offered a beefier double stacked AC condenser back in the R12 days. So that is probably what this middle condenser is. https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...denser-282824/

 

Thanks for posting that. I never saw one before. It may be a good thing to have out here in AZ, especially if you converted to R134A.

I just installed a modern parallel flow condenser on my 86 pickup. My original serpentine one is still ok, I just thought I'd try it. It did lower my high side pressure a bit but my R134 converted truck still cooled fine with the original.

 

Same truck. Other pic was back in mock-up stage.

 

Weird it was an option, I mean who went in to Toyota and said gimme that super cooler!!!!! Wonder if it would make the 134 conversion better?? My truck is good but on super hot days at idle in traffic it’s eh…

Hard to say I guess without more air moving across it, either way I found the option interesting

 

As you found out, that is a two-part A/C condenser.

Toyota specified these condensers for 1st generation 4Runners so the A/C system could expel more heat, given that the 4Runner had much more interior space to cool compared to the pickup trucks.

The larger of the two condensers is exactly the same as the pickup version. All Toyota did was add the smaller condenser in front to increase capacity.

Up until a couple of years ago, Denso was still making them.