Hi all- Im running a 99 SR5, auto trans. I just had the transmission and transfer case replaced. issue is: console and hump get SO HOT when im driving. It has something to do with suction- it only happens when the windows are rolled down. I took off the cover to the shifter area and noticed there is a huge hole in there that the hot air is just rushing through. Maybe I have the wrong shift boot?
Can i just use HVAC tape or insulation to seal that hole and hopefully relieve a bit of the heat? Or is that hole some kind of heat release that is vital to the truck? HELP!!

 

I think that's just a Yota thing. My 95 was like that when I got it, and still is. Only if the conditions are just right (going downhill usually) I can feel some heat coming through.
If you're worried that the tranny is hotter than it should be I would check the make sure theres enough fluid. Lack of fluid is one cause of excessive heat. Another thing is that the heat could actually be coming from the engine and just getting sucked up through there. Make sure your oil level is good and check out your coolant levels and your water pump. Look for any leaks as it may not even be the tranny.

 

There are two 'levels' to the shifter boot area. There's the visible vinyl shifter boot, that is mostly for decoration, perhaps a little bit of insulation value. Then there is the plate under that that bolts to the trans tunnel that has rubber boots that somewhat snugly seal to the shifter levers. There shouldn't be a huge amount of room for hot air to gt past those.

Here's a googled pic:


If they left that part off, yeah, you're going to get a lot of heat/noise/dust in the interior.

 

This ^^^ but three layers:
The visible vinyl boot
The rubber boots
Then the metal plate.
...
Then I added fourth (Thermal Insulation)
and fifth (3/8-inch exercise mat) layers to mine...

 

Great idea Ray, extending the insulation right up to shifter levers. I'm going to do that. I'm also switching to synthetic just to keep tcase temp down a bit.

 

Aside from sound deadening, and the exercise mat, I also have the thermal insulation from firewall all the way to foot of left side because that's above the exhaust plumbing. Still so much to do, not enough time.

 

Neat idea! Think I found my next project.