emplusten

I have a 2002 4Runner (stock), and decided to put a transmission cooler in it. I bought a Hayden 677 (about 7.5 by 11 inches).

I got it installed fine, but I am second guessing my placement and am looking for opinions. I did a search and could not find a similar discussion on this topic.

First, the kit came with the plastic rods to connect the cooler in front of the AC condenser. I just did not like the idea of slipping sharp objects through two radiator like elements because of possibility of damage. Plus, I did not want to introduce an airflow issue by having the fan try to draw air through three sets of coolers - I did not want to introduce an engine cooling problem by restricting the airflow.

So I went with an alternate location. I elected to put it lower, in front of the cross brace that goes across the lower third of the radiator/condenser set up. It ends up being about three inches in front of the AC condenser. It would draw ambient air from the lower air intake area rather than the grill area. The picture at the bottom should show what I did.

So my questions are:
1. How effective is this cooling location?
2. Would I be better off stacking it on top of the radiator/condenser set up?
3. I used zip ties to secure the using to the appropriate structural components. Now I'm wondering if they can melt? I would think that if the cooler gets hot enough to melt plastic, then I got bigger problems. Plus, the kit came with plastic fasteners...

<Picture did not come out...>

Jerm

This helped me https://www.yotatech.com/~corey/tech...ler/cooler.htm

emplusten

Thanks.

Maj

Ideally, you want to locate it where the cooler can take advantage of airflow from the fan, so yeah, that means stacking it right next to the condenser. Especially if you do much wheelin' in the warmer months. Your setup is certainly better than nothing and is probably fine for towing or other activities where ambient airflow is not a problem.

I don't blame you about being nervous using those zip ties. Although I'm sure the ties supplied won't melt they will certainly deteriorate in strength over time. I used bracketry to install my cooler.

xcmountain80

If your running an after market bumper this might be slightly different I Mounted mine low just above the lower lip on the condenser, the four holes in the TJM plus the upper air flow over the bumper cool it well enough. I'll get some pics.

Aaron

Texas_Ace

I put mine inbetween the condensor and the raditor and it works fine. I just got my Tranny temp guage installed so i will see how it does after some more driving but so far stays between 140 and 175. and i don't have any problems with the regular cooling at all.

YUonDAGround

Where did y'all buy your Tranny coolers from?

Texas_Ace

I got mine on ebay for under $50 shipped

ARB1977

Get creative and make your own brackets...although i bought the trd cooler that came with them already.

emplusten

Just to close the loop on what I did.
I ended up leaving the cooler in the location I mentioned above. It is in front of the cross brace so it ends up being a few inches ahead of the condenser. I made up some brackets to mount it.

Earlier this month I took the truck and my pop up trailer about 2000 miles and the setup worked good.

As an aside, I also thought the truck did a great job of pulling the 2500 pound trailer.

onesojourner

can you take a picture of your set up?

BajaRunner

I did this, its been over a year and still sturdy as ever.

Gt4r97

Hi all, I've decided to install my Tru-cool tranny cooler. What do you think the best orientation for the outlets - up, upside down, or 90* (side ways)? Thanks!

Texas_Ace

you want the hoses to come out the bottom. There is no pressure in the lines so you want to make it as easy as possible to get the fluid through there.

ARB1977

When i routed my lines i poped the grill off and drilled a hole next to the radiator then used a angle grinder to make the holes alittle bigger to allow me to use rubber grommets so that way when i rout the hoses its nice and clean and protected. If you wheel your rig this is the best way to go.

mt_goat

The best is sideways, in at the top and out at the bottom. That lets gravity help pull the ATF through the small passages.
Next best is both inlet and outlet at the top, worst is both down, especially if the cooler has a built-in bypass like these do:
http://www.importperformancetrans.com/coolers.shtml

But any direction is better than no cooler at all

I bet this is one direction you hadn't thought of


If you want a fan to cool it but don't want to add the extra heat to the radiator or don't like blocking the air flow to the radiator, you can always add a fan to cool the cooler.


This is an engine oil cooler but it gives you the same idea:


I've found used motorcycle fans work good too, they are usually just about the right size for a tranny cooler, run on 12 volts, and are cheap on e-bay. Here's one from a 98 Honda VFR 800 FI:


Here's one from a 99-02 Suzuki SV 650 (note its made by Denso):


Here it is installed:

Gt4r97

Yeah, I got like the ones found in this site,
http://www.importperformancetrans.com/coolers.shtml, the Tru-cool 4452. I've already mounted the cooler outlets down. But if you say there's no pressure in the return line, the best route (i think) is to install it sideways. Well, I'll try to do some testing on how the oil flows through cooler when I connect the hoses.

mt_goat

I didn't say there's no pressure in the return line...the reason its better to not mount with the outlets down is because the flow tends to bypass the top part of the cooler. The pressure in the return line shouldn't vary either way.

Gt4r97

Okay, that's what i was thinking...have to remount that thing then. Thanks for your thoughts!