installing a tranny cooler

[mattttt25]

was thinking of installing a tranny cooler on my 2002 toyota tacoma. found the kits surprisingly cheap online, about $50-60 for my truck. are they difficult to install? any tips for a novice mechanic?

 

[ob]

Re: installing a tranny cooler

They're pretty straight forward Matt.You can either position them in front bottom of radiator or under radiator support bracket.Even static cooling with minimal air flow is generally more efficient than the limited pass that the oil lines are getting through the radiator section.Bare in mind that too efficient of cooler is not better as the tranny's hydraulics is designed to opertate best at temps close to engine block temps.

 

[DJ]

Re: installing a tranny cooler

mattttt25,<br /><br />They are straightforward, as mentioned by ob. Ob also makes a very good point, trans. fluid that is too cool can cause just as many problems as overheated fluid.<br /><br />Typically, most factory coolers are plumbed so that the return line (from trans.) goes to the aux. cooler and then to the radiator tank before going back to the transmission.<br /><br />Some folks put a shut off valve on the aux. cooler and only turn it on in hot weather, or when towing.

 

[ob]

Re: installing a tranny cooler

Matt, djohns idea of a bypass valve to isolate cooler when added cooling is not needed is an excellent and simple one.Implementing it will assure quick warm up of tranny fluid in colder weather and will prevent overcooling of fluid when not needed.

 

[petryshyn]

Re: installing a tranny cooler

Spend a few more bucks and get a progressive type cooler. They have several different sized cooling tubes which allow flow in cold temp as well as adequate flow through the smaller ones when hot....

 

[mattttt25]

Re: installing a tranny cooler

thanks fellas. i'll look into it a bit more and investigate different types. guess i have some time before i'll really require one.

 

[KeltonKrew]

Re: installing a tranny cooler

I installed one in very little time in my F350 PSD. I also installed another electric fan for the cooler with a switch in the cab.

 

[Bob in Calif.]

Re: installing a tranny cooler

I have a 1972 Dodge B200 van, 360 cu.in engine with the 727 transmission and tow package. When I bought the van, the first thing I added was the largest trans. cooler I could get at the time. The trans. has never had any work done to it, except for me adjusting the bands every 20-25,000 miles, replacing the filter and fresh fluid. The van now has over 215,000 miles on it and still shifts excellent. I drive it frequently, but my wife has refused to ride in it for the last 10 years. It's getting to look a little rough, but I sure have gotten my money out of it. I know for a fact the tranny cooler played a big role in it's longgivity.<br /> ...Bob in Caif....

 

[boatingfool]

Re: installing a tranny cooler

matttttttttttttttttttt25,<br /> they are cheap and are also pretty cheap to have installed for you. My tranny cooler installed was $100. Not bad for peace of mind!!