I am rebuilding my 3.0. I didn't really pay much attention to the oil cooler when I was tearing it down as this is my first 4runner and I think my kid where the one that removed it.

Now assembling it, I note that while I have an oil cooler, and my water pump has the outlet and the one I ordered to replace it does as well, there is a plug in the block where the union would be to allow coolant to flow. I now remember that there were no hoses connected to the oil cooler and the outlet pipe had a rubber cover and clamp on.

So essentially I did not have an oil cooler correct? Question is, this truck lived it's life in Las Vegas so it not a stranger to high temps. If the intent is to not really do heavy off road or strenuous towing is setting it back up this way ok? I've heard that some don't have them. I am not sure what the criteria is that dictated which one had or did not have oil coolers installed.

Oil cooler or no. Have to order the parts to make it functional... Cooler oil is good I know, but obviously not 100% needed.

 

Sorted it. I installed new parts... Better to have than not...

 

Always best to make it the way it should be! Thanks for the follow up too!