All,

I've seen the transmission cooler kits you can install easily and for cheap it seems.

I don't tow (hardly ever), and am wondering if I should put one of these on my 97 4Runner?

Anyone have any thoughts on this and suggestions?

Thanks,
Chris

 

Are you supercharged? If so, then I would say go for it. Either way, it is only going to be good for your tranny. However, if you aren't supercharged and don't ever tow, it probably isn't a big deal.

 

Thanks for the reply. I'm not supercharged, but drive hard in the mountains. Just wondering if it would be good preventative measure to do for the price?

Thanks again.
CB

 

Well, I'm sure it couldn't hurt. Preventative maintenance is always a good thing...especially since the coolers aren't too expensive.

 

Hey Chris-

I am thinking about adding one as well. I'm like you, I don't tow, but drive in the mountains. I think it would be a good preventative measure...

 

I don't drive in the mountains, but I do tow . I put a TRD cooler on my rig last summer. If you're not sure if you need one, but think it might be a good idea, pick up a Hayden cooler. They are good coolers (rumored to be the same ones as the TRD coolers) and very inexpensive. I don't think $50 and a couple hours of your time to install it is a big deal for a preventative like this.

Bottom line, you probably don't NEED one, but adding one can only help. They are cheap and easy to install, so why WOULDN'T you add one?

 

Loosehead,

Yeah, I'm prob. going to go ahead and get one and do it. Anything to help extend the life of an auto trans. would be good. Jacksonpt mentions Hayden. Does anyone have any advice on which one to buy? Easiest to install and fit?

Thanks,
Chris

 

(Idiot suit on)

Hope this question is not too stupid, but can manual transmissions benefit from the tranny cooler as well?

Bob

 

CBDenver,
You can buy a Hayden Transaver Plus . I got the one rated for 30K lbs. (FYI, I am supercharged). There is a write-up on the tech section on the install.

 

CBDenver & CTB,

For the time being I don't tow but I take a lot of trips in the mountains too. I did it just for the "preventative maintenance" reason. I'm still glad I did and I would recommend it for you guys too.

 

Bob,

Manual trannys don't "pump" fluid like an auto, so there would be no way to make one work by gravity flow. As long as you check and change the fluid according to the recommended intervals, much like the axles, you should be fine.

 

To add to loosehead's post,

The gear oil in a manual tranny is a lot thicker than ATF fluid and would be a lot harder to pump. Additionally, a manual tranny doesn't get as hot as an auto does.

 

Hi i am new here I have a 98 taco an can I put a in a external trans cooler an by pass the one in the radiator.

 

Yes you can.

 

I don't tow nor drive in the mountains. I still use a external ATF cooler.