Transmission Cooler -Isolated or in Series
 

Hi Folks,

I'm thinking it would be a good idea to install a separate transmission cooler. I love milkshakes, but not pink ones they're messy.:nono: So I was thinking that I should install a separate transmission cooler and just plug the old rad. I didn't buy one yet, but in researching, Hayden seems like a good bet, but their instruction manual says to not install separately unless the radiator failed and is costly to fix (and then upsize the cooler). I'm wondering if anyone has installed a separate one, what you installed and what you think of it. And, how did you plug the old rad?

thanks!

It's all personal opinion and everyone will tell you different. I would not install them in series unless I was going to do some heavy towing. The only way I would use the radiator cooler is if it was a new radiator but I never want to think about the milkshake again so I bypassed. I used a B&M 70268 which is probably the smallest size we should use for these trucks.

My daily city driving temps are usually in the 160-180 range which to me is perfect. Sure in some circumstances the temps go higher but I use synthetic and change the fluid often so seeing over 200 on my gauge for short periods does not bother me at all. As a matter of fact I think it's normal whether you use the rad cooler or external.

I plugged the rad by running a piece of hose from one nipple to the other.

I'm thinking the same way, so I'm going to bypass and bypass a potential problem! I'm glad to here someone else plugged the rad w/a piece of hose from one barb to the other. That's what I was going to do. Thanks for the good info!

I still can figure out if the tacomas are effected by this issue. I currently run two coolers stock and TRD for the last 8 years now. I'm debating to bypass or not.

I haven't heard of it happening to Taco's but I don't spend any time on Taco forums. It can happen to any car that has the built in radiator cooler. I bypassed my Taco's rad as well and put a 70268 on it too.

As I am sure you know that there are lots of threads on here about bypassing the radiator to prevent the 'strawberry milkshake', but some thought on this is to replace your radiator every 100,000 miles and perform proper coolant maintenance/replacement using toyota red coolant at the prescibed intervals and you should not have any issues, but I too am getting ready to do the bypass. My setup will utilize 2 external transmission coolers taken from early 90's Ford Explorer which use a small foot print coolers. I currently have installed two transmission temp gauges, one inlet temp and the other outlet temp. and so far the temps are low except when under heavy loads, mountain hills, city driving, that sort of thing, where the tranny is shifting alot. Still have not completed the change over, as I need to flush the two coolers before cutting them online. I will also do the nipple to nipple with hose to isolate the tranny cooler portion of my radiator. More on that when it happens.

I will say the only negative I have seen from bypassing the rad is that when it is cold out the tranny takes longer to heat up. But not having to worry about the milkshake is worth the extra warm up time to me. Like has been said, there is plenty of info on this topic, you just need to read through it to make up your mind on what is best for your situation.

by pass period, I would not even think twice about it. Design Engineer fup stuff all the time (this is one example) regardless if they work for Toyota, I say this cuz I am a EE and qualify parts for the Nuclear Industry, u would be surprised by many failure points of a system, a system is as good as its weakest component OR inadequate adherence to a PROCESS OR Quality control i.e. manufacturing, chemical composition, variance in metallics per batch/heat lot etc etc etc

Here is mine, it is not the prettiest but even in ATLs stop n go I do not see more than 190F on my OBD
http://flickr.com/gp/50011705@N07/177a9m
http://flickr.com/gp/50011705@N07/A2oa15