Transmission coolers

I just installed this after other members positive feedback. Lots of diagnostics display. ATF real time temp display on my phone was primary reason I purchased.

https://trail4runner.com/2020/01/28/obdlink-mx-bluetooth-obd2-scanner/

Dropping out of D into 4th gear is how to lock up TC.

 

I think I bought 6’ of 3/8” fuel hose, x2 3/8” brass barbs, and x4 hose clamps. They should come with brackets to mount the cooler to the front of the vehicle. It may also comes with radiator cable ties but I'd suggest using the brackets especially if you off road. Essentially you just tap in the return lines either under the radiator or on the passenger side next to the radiator. Theres several threads either here or in T4R.org that go into detail

I use a scangauge II to monitor trans, water, and TPMS (I have a 2013 Trail). Lock the TC, when shifting into 4th and you'll notice temps to hold rather steadily.

 

Does the OBD2 display all the data in the app like they show on the website? Tire pressure, RPM , etc? Looks nice if it does.

 

The Car Care Nut has excellent explanation how torque converter works. Educate yourself.

 

I am still a newbie playing with the app a couple hours into setting up dashboard. Looks like you can display anything a sensor exists for. I have created a display for ATF temp, motor oil temp, coolant temp.

 

What is the frequency of 4runner Transmission failure, given normal maintenance and towing within spec? We put on 160,000 miles on a 2012 towing weekly a 5000 lb boat / trailer in Florida. Never an issue. Fluid looked good at 120K trans / diff fluid change. Anyone on the forum with first hand experience with a 4runner trans failure due to heat? Is this just a "belt & suspenders" discussion?

 

You'll see the temps rise significantly when towing up steep (or even not very steep) grades, so in other geographical areas there is probably more benefit to a cooler.

Edit: slow climbs off road add up, too, since the TC doesn't lock in first or second gear. Best thing (IMO) is to start with a temperature monitor, and if you see temps too high from your use case, then you can either add a cooler, slow down / downshift more, or change the fluid more often.

 

I have wondered the same thing. I see charts like this too. I don't know.

 

Though I haven't installed a trans cooler in my 2023 ORP yet, on our previous vehicle, a 2004 honda odyssey we installed a Tru-Cool LPD 4590 along with a magnafine inline transmission filter. That model year of odysseys had a lot of transmission issues and we towed with it regularly, including up and down long steep grades and transversed the entire country and didn't have a single transmission issue until 315K miles and I credit that largely to the extra cooling provided by the LPD 4590, the use of amsoil ATF, and staying on top of the transmission maintenance. The trans cooler kept the trans temperature down 20-30F and I monitored temps with the AUTEL MAXIAP 200.

When I get to installing a cooler on my ORP I will be ordering another LPD 4590 in addition to a fan from mishimoto along with a thermal switch. The LPD 4590 has internal bypass that allows cold fluid to bypass the cooler so it sill allows the transmission to reach normal operating temperatures in the winter and provides additional cooling in the 100F plus summers we have here.

 

Instead of AT 1 and AT 2, name it Torque Converter Temperature and Transmission Pan Temperature (whatever abbreviation you prefer), of course Torque Converter Temperature higher than Transmission Pan Temperature, but change WS based on Transmission Pan Temperature. When towing keep Torque Converter Temperature down by all means, and enjoy how fast it going down after installation of transmission fluid cooler.

 

Some are mentioning some kind of a bybass, how do I know if the cooler has it, or is it something that is installs on the hoses outside of the cooler....

 

It's listed on the cooler. This is from the B&M:


https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...wQFnoECBAQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2ylQXP_6d1H63iUaztFerS

unit monitors resistance to flow by allowing a controlled amount of ATF to pass through a self-regulating orifice. Controlled by viscosity, thicker ATF is returned directly to lube through two bypass openings in the stacked plate core, while thinner ATF is directed through the core to cool as operating temperatures increase.

 

I installed an aspirated (fan cooled) B&M cooler on my diesel for the reason you stated.
It has a thermostat for it to only run at elevated temperatures(+175).
The hidden beauty is you can mount it anywhere, it doesn’t need to be in the air flow because of the fan. I have mine in the trans tunnel near the transfer case on my Dodge. I have had it come on while backing our travel trailer up hill into a tight spot. Low range next time…duh.
This medium one:
https://www.holley.com/products/cooling/oil_and_transmission_coolers/supercoolers/parts/70298
Or the large one like my Dodge has.
https://www.holley.com/products/discontinued_product/parts/70297
Much more inexpensive option, manually controlled.

$192 Fluid Cooler and Fan, 15-3/4 x 11-1/2 x 5 in, Tube Type, 6 AN Male Inlet/Outlet, Fittings, Aluminum/Copper, Black Powder Coat, Universal, Each

https://www.amazon.com/Derale-13700...cint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583589115005177

 

You just shift out 5 to 4. Takes truck out of overdrive and will keep converter locked at highway speeds.

I use OBD Fusion app with a Bluetooth OBD transmitter.

 

You mean this? Power steering cooler and electric fan next. I like to establish durability. Cooler is for an RV towing 10k lbs

 

I learned you can manual shift to 5th. I didn't know that. I use 4th in town to save brakes or power and it doesn't affect mileage.

 

I installed a Hayden bypass cooler on my 2021 t4r. It supposedly bypasses the fluid for faster warm up.
https://www.haydenauto.com/en/produ...oil-coolers/patented-internal-by-pass-coolers

 

I added a B&M 70268 Transmission cooler. Heat of summer going up grades fully loaded will be the real test. So far monitoring it seems I am running about 20 degrees cooler and the spikes in temp at torque converter drop much quicker.

It also has a internal bypass when not up to temp. Who knows if it's needed but I saw my temps spiking to 220 under load climbing inclines in summer.

 

I’m surprised that my ‘06 V6 Tacoma TRD has an extra trans cooler downstream from the radiator, but my ‘20 4Runner ORP doesn’t.l have a second one. Yet it’s equipped for towing.
I need to start monitoring the transmission temps since the summers here often get very hot.

 

Your fluid should go into radiator transmission cooler then into auxiliary cooler. You want maximum cooling. A transmission doesn't have any problem warming up or they wouldn't run it through radiator. Cooler is better. WS is like water anyway

 

This is exactly the same results I saw using this same cooler inline after the factory cooler. Gives me peace of mind when towing our travel trailer.

 

I use transmission and steering cooler. They don't really have problems if you drain and fill like you should and even if you don't. I know from experience the difference in fluid condition and color it makes. If it goes 300-400k+ without one, then I shouldn't have to worry with one. Steering may be overkill, but I'm thinking about reducing temperatures to help seals out. I use synthetic steering fluid and it's easy to change, I just want to see how far I can go without replacing anything. Especially rack and transmission. Don't change fluid to often or transmission with miles could go out. That's just me though. I do same thing with all of them because I haven't had issues in 30+ years. It used to be a B&M rapidcooler and now Hayden to get the best design.

 

Can you use the Carista ODB module via Bluetooth with other "free" apps?