westonian18

Hey all, I have a 93 4runner, automatic transmission, 3.slow, and have been researching about transmission coolers.

My rig is re-geared with 5.29 gears, has a 2" suspension and 2" body lift, 35x12.5 meats, and a rebuilt "super stock" 3.0 with <30k miles on it.

Recently when in Moab, my A/T oil temp light has come on when going up some steep trails. Also I recently towed a uhaul 300 miles and the light also came on several times.

I know gears, tall tires, and towing is the trifecta for stress on the transmission. Normally the light only comes on on really hot days right at the top of a large hill, so I'm thinking about buying a second transmission cooler (other then the stock one)

Who has one, where did you get it/recommendations, also I've heard they can be a problem by keeping the tranny too cold in the winter (I live in Colorado). Any thoughts?

cobolt23

I have heard of people putting in valves in line to open or close the cooler for use in winter as not to cool it too much in the winter.

rworegon

Tru-Cool has a built-in bypass in the top two plates.

westonian18

Thanks for that link.
Has anyone installed one of these bad boys? Looks like the second smallest one might do pretty well. Pics, mounting location suggestions?

rworegon

There are threads around here showing installs. Search tru-cool 4454.

RSR

I have this one bookmarked: http://www.importperformancetrans.co...4588-1900.html
A little less wide, but twice the depth (two layers).
This one is just slightly wider than the 4454 (1/2 inch) and also twice the depth: http://www.importperformancetrans.co...4589-1902.html

I'm planning to install it on my driver side and run the 4Runner A/C fan on my passenger, since stock mounts are already there and my A/C sucks when stopped or slow/crawling...

The order of tube should go:
1. Tranny Out to TruCool In
2. TruCool Out to Radiator Cooler In
3. Radiator Cooler Out to Tranny In

And put a magnefine filter before TruCool In (keeps debris from clogging and reducing effectiveness). It's a good idea to replace all soft lines when you're doing this as well.

And to avoid pink milkshake, many bypass radiator cooler, but that's a bad idea. Tranny fluid, just like oil, is intended to operate at a certain temperate to achieve ideal viscosity. The tranny cooler serves to both bring to proper temp as well as remove excessive temps from Tranny Fluid. Running the tranny pre-cooler means that your tranny won't be dumping heat into your engine and also serves to keep the tranny fluid at proper temp while also removing some heat from the coolant for a cooler engine. An all-around win-win.
*If you replace cheap plastic radiators every 150k and only run Toyota coolant with distilled water, you are very unlikely to ever see a pink milkshake scenario. Running premium aluminum core radiators reduces these odds even further.
Discuss the whys here: https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/b...3/index21.html

RSR

Show picks of it in the above link, but thinking about using the factory towing cooler (will install a new one and probably put a filter on as well) as a power steering auxillary cooler.

And should add Amsoil ATF is thebest tranny fluid I've seen. Any synthetic is better than standard here as well...