1. Welcome to 4Runners.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all 4Runner discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other 4Runner owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Installing Transmission Cooler - Please check my understanding

Discussion in '4th Gen 4Runners (2003-2009)' started by frosty, Mar 1, 2024.

  1. Mar 1, 2024 at 6:56 AM
    #1
    frosty

    frosty [OP] Stay Frosty

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2024
    Member:
    #38240
    Messages:
    50
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Daniel
    DFW, Texas
    Vehicle:
    2004 4Runner V6 SR5 2WD
    Stock
    Did a quite some research and I think this is the way the trans lines are supposed to go. Using my very limited artistic skills made the diagrams in hopes that it makes sense and that I am thinking this though correctly. From my understanding, the output from the trans goes to the top of the existing radiator, then from the bottom of the radiator to the top of the trans cooler, and finally bottom of trans cooler back to the transmission itself. This look right?

    For refence, this is the cooler I am getting. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000C3DDEA/?coliid=I2CIOQ3RT8RPV9&colid=2W0MVBHBHCWD7

    Transcooler Diagram.jpg
     
  2. Mar 1, 2024 at 6:59 AM
    #2
    kmeeg

    kmeeg New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2018
    Member:
    #5853
    Messages:
    5,499
    Gender:
    Male
    I have a dumb question, sorry.

    May I ask what is your transmission temperature for you to decide to install a transmission cooler? Have a pic of the high temperature on your use?
     
  3. Mar 1, 2024 at 7:08 AM
    #3
    xtremewlr

    xtremewlr New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2020
    Member:
    #17247
    Messages:
    430
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Todd
    Tucson, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2003 4Runner V8 Limited 4WD
    Lots with more in the works
    You don't have to have high temps to warrant a cooler. A trans cooler is not only going to help stabilize and maintain a more consistent temp but it's also going to increase the fluid capacity of the system.

    Many 4Runners also came from the factory with an additional, external trans cooler. Mine did and I have since changed to a much larger aftermarket trans cooler and made the OEM trans cooler into a power steering cooler.
     
    Ironguy and kmeeg[QUOTED] like this.
  4. Mar 1, 2024 at 7:08 AM
    #4
    frosty

    frosty [OP] Stay Frosty

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2024
    Member:
    #38240
    Messages:
    50
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Daniel
    DFW, Texas
    Vehicle:
    2004 4Runner V6 SR5 2WD
    Stock
    Honestly, I am not "fixing" anything, I just like the idea of having better trans cooling especially when its 100+ in Texas and there is a lot of stop and go traffic. For me its cheap insurance.
     
  5. Mar 1, 2024 at 7:09 AM
    #5
    xtremewlr

    xtremewlr New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2020
    Member:
    #17247
    Messages:
    430
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Todd
    Tucson, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2003 4Runner V8 Limited 4WD
    Lots with more in the works
    Your diagram looks good. That's essentially how the factory does it.
     
  6. Mar 1, 2024 at 7:16 AM
    #6
    xtremewlr

    xtremewlr New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2020
    Member:
    #17247
    Messages:
    430
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Todd
    Tucson, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2003 4Runner V8 Limited 4WD
    Lots with more in the works
    I live in Tucson and see 110+ in the summers here. This is the first trans cooler I used and have since switched to a slightly larger one. Stacked plate coolers like these are generally a little better and more durable than the Hayden style coolers.

    https://www.oregonperformancetransmission.com/product/LNG-4543.html

    This is the larger one I'm running now, along with a PML aluminum trans pan.

    https://www.oregonperformancetransmission.com/product/LNG-4590.html

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Toy4X4 likes this.
  7. Mar 1, 2024 at 7:27 AM
    #7
    Bluesky 07

    Bluesky 07 Not a New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2019
    Member:
    #8560
    Messages:
    589
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Russell
    Northern Georgia
    Vehicle:
    Silver ‘07 Sport V6 4WD @ 270K miles
    “Deep” Satoshi grille | X-REAS delete / Eibach | Weathertech front & rear mats | Tinted front windows | Floor Armor cargo mat | TPMS bypass | LED interior, tag, & reverse lights | BlueSea Systems console USB power ports | Pioneer AVH-2550NEX HU + Audiovox backup camera | Fumoto F-103S | Rockville lo-pro subwoofer | Kenwood speakers & KAC-M1804 amp | Philips H9/9011 headlight bulbs | Wolfbox G850 Pro dash/rear cam | Map light mod | Breather mod | OBD Fusion diagnostics
    + may be helpful. The bypass is b/c the fluid can actually be too cool on occasion.
     
    xtremewlr likes this.
  8. Mar 1, 2024 at 7:31 AM
    #8
    ID_Yeti

    ID_Yeti New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2023
    Member:
    #36976
    Messages:
    180
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2024 ORP
    Anyone observing higher transmissions temperature with a full skid plates installed.

    Pretty impressed with the cooling ability of the stock system based on my scangauge stats.
     
  9. Feb 19, 2025 at 3:34 PM
    #9
    johnf4x4

    johnf4x4 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2025
    Member:
    #45648
    Messages:
    17
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2009 4runner SR5, 2025 Tundra Platinum
    Sorry for reviving an old thread, but i'm just about to start my trans cooler installation when a saw this diagram.
    Forgive my ignorance but for me it looks like a wrong way to connect the additional cooler. If the fluid comes from the top the cooler is going to be airlocked IMO.
    As i understand it, the fluid has to come from the bottom to push air out.
    Where am i wrong?
    Has the OP completed his installation the way it was on the diagram? Does it work?

    Thank you
     
  10. Feb 19, 2025 at 8:17 PM
    #10
    Hungryhawk

    Hungryhawk New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2017
    Member:
    #4480
    Messages:
    395
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    Southern CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 SR5
    I installed a Scanguage2 and it provides many dozens of real time engine & tranny parameters.
    I usually have all 4 tire pressure readings on its display. I watch my tranny temp when in the mountains climbing grades in 100+ temps. The pic below TFT is tranny temp in fahrenheit. TP1-4 is the 4 tire pressures. Which I monitor when driving very fast on highways with poor shoulders.
    IMG_7959.jpg
     
  11. Feb 21, 2025 at 7:03 AM
    #11
    4onto

    4onto New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2025
    Member:
    #45605
    Messages:
    69
    Gender:
    Male
    Toronto
    Vehicle:
    2009 SR5 V6 4WD
    That's how I install auxiliary transmission coolers. In series with the factory coolers.
     
  12. Feb 22, 2025 at 10:52 AM
    #12
    johnf4x4

    johnf4x4 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2025
    Member:
    #45648
    Messages:
    17
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2009 4runner SR5, 2025 Tundra Platinum
    So, the inlet(IN) for the auxiliary cooler goes on top and OUT on the bottom? No problem with air-locking as many on YouTube claim?
     
  13. Feb 22, 2025 at 11:49 AM
    #13
    4onto

    4onto New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2025
    Member:
    #45605
    Messages:
    69
    Gender:
    Male
    Toronto
    Vehicle:
    2009 SR5 V6 4WD
    It just like how hot coolant enters the radiator top and exits the radiator bottom as cooler coolant. It's the first time I've heard of air locking as it's just a hydraulic circuit. If air locking is indeed a thing, a tee with a plug or valve could allow for burpage. Hydraulics typically self-bleed with use.
     
    Last edited: Feb 22, 2025
  14. Feb 23, 2025 at 5:51 PM
    #14
    johnf4x4

    johnf4x4 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2025
    Member:
    #45648
    Messages:
    17
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2009 4runner SR5, 2025 Tundra Platinum
    Not trying to argue, i'm genuinely confused.
    I'm with you on this one but while watching vids on youtube i encountered some installation videos where they say it is advises to put "IN" on the bottom.
    Another point, the engine radiator never gets empty, it is closed system with no way for air to get in and if you change the antifreeze you need to run the motor for long time to get all the air out of the system,
    Transmission radiator on the other hand, gets empty as soon as you stop the engine, it sucks the air out of the transmission, now, when you start the engine and transmission starts circulating the oil, most of the air is trapped inside the transmission cooler. The OEM "cooler" has only one tube inside the engine radiator. In this case the air is just getting pushed out, it is why for OEM cooler is not important to get the air out, hence it is logical to run it form the top to the bottom. It is the theory of it.
    How right it is i have no idea, it is why i try to go to the bottom of this, sorry

    Here are some long vids, just go the the marks
    See from 11:30 mark
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34wnfq85_qk

    See from 6:00 mark
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EtQJb3RDzY
     
  15. Feb 23, 2025 at 9:06 PM
    #15
    4onto

    4onto New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2025
    Member:
    #45605
    Messages:
    69
    Gender:
    Male
    Toronto
    Vehicle:
    2009 SR5 V6 4WD
    An automatic transmission's positive displacement gear pump will quickly dispatch any air pockets in the cooler circuit, whether these YouTube experts are on to something or not.
     
  16. Feb 26, 2025 at 10:08 AM
    #16
    Bluesky 07

    Bluesky 07 Not a New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2019
    Member:
    #8560
    Messages:
    589
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Russell
    Northern Georgia
    Vehicle:
    Silver ‘07 Sport V6 4WD @ 270K miles
    “Deep” Satoshi grille | X-REAS delete / Eibach | Weathertech front & rear mats | Tinted front windows | Floor Armor cargo mat | TPMS bypass | LED interior, tag, & reverse lights | BlueSea Systems console USB power ports | Pioneer AVH-2550NEX HU + Audiovox backup camera | Fumoto F-103S | Rockville lo-pro subwoofer | Kenwood speakers & KAC-M1804 amp | Philips H9/9011 headlight bulbs | Wolfbox G850 Pro dash/rear cam | Map light mod | Breather mod | OBD Fusion diagnostics
    I followed the directions when I installed my Hayden. It works great. Don’t overthink it.
     
    4onto likes this.
  17. Feb 27, 2025 at 8:30 PM
    #17
    johnf4x4

    johnf4x4 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2025
    Member:
    #45648
    Messages:
    17
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2009 4runner SR5, 2025 Tundra Platinum
    It is what I'm going to do. Thank you guys
     
  18. Feb 28, 2025 at 12:28 AM
    #18
    Bluesky 07

    Bluesky 07 Not a New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2019
    Member:
    #8560
    Messages:
    589
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Russell
    Northern Georgia
    Vehicle:
    Silver ‘07 Sport V6 4WD @ 270K miles
    “Deep” Satoshi grille | X-REAS delete / Eibach | Weathertech front & rear mats | Tinted front windows | Floor Armor cargo mat | TPMS bypass | LED interior, tag, & reverse lights | BlueSea Systems console USB power ports | Pioneer AVH-2550NEX HU + Audiovox backup camera | Fumoto F-103S | Rockville lo-pro subwoofer | Kenwood speakers & KAC-M1804 amp | Philips H9/9011 headlight bulbs | Wolfbox G850 Pro dash/rear cam | Map light mod | Breather mod | OBD Fusion diagnostics
    One last thing to consider - a . I didn’t know fluid being too cool was a consideration until I saw someone else’s post about it. It’s pretty cool (ha!) to see the temp go over 180 degrees then suddenly begin dropping when I have OBD Fusion running.
     
  19. Feb 28, 2025 at 8:07 AM
    #19
    johnf4x4

    johnf4x4 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2025
    Member:
    #45648
    Messages:
    17
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2009 4runner SR5, 2025 Tundra Platinum
    Yes, I thought about it. First I want to seehow it performs in the summer, when most of my towing happens. But anyhow, I think 165 degrees or even 135 degrees are better choices than 180 degrees bypass.
    But again, my uneducated and unexperienced thought.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top