Deep dive into transmission cooling in modified Toyota and ultimate 4Runner overbuilt cooling setup

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[@johnnytee8384]

Wow, the timing of the release of this is crazy. I just finished a 9 day road trip, reached over 230 degrees driving against the Texas winds at 75MPH to 80MPH. My rig was completely loaded with fridge, camp gear, with 2 adults, 2 kids. 295/70/17, front and rear metal bumpers with winch and swing out, stock gears. Thanks for talking about this, there's not much information on this topic.

[@RoyFJ65]

One of the reasons the first item to be installed in my brand new 2016 FJ Cruiser was a Hayden 679 to control the temps and replace the WS ATF with fully synthetic AISIN AFW+ Now I rarely ever see anything over 176F

[@PrimeTime345]

Copper transmission coolers transfer heat up to 70% more efficiently than aluminum transmission coolers. That might explain why you needed to use more than one, taking up so much space. Excellent video thanks for sharing your insights!

[@lsxfbodygen3]

I appreciate this video! I installed a Hayden cooler awhile back. Dropped temps to 180 on the highway but easily gets up to 230 when pulling long grades even in S mode. Granted my GX is super heavy and has an ARB bumper with LP9’s in front of the grill. I NEED to revisit my cooler setup and absolutely need to add a fan. You’ve inspired me to take another look at it.

[@Art-wx9in]

Transmission videos are my favorite

[@wcslv_6781]

You should look it these coolers, Setrab ProLine Fanpacks “SETFP920M22I” little expensive but work great. I used this on a twin turbo Duramax to keep the oil cooler. I will be using one now after I saw what you’re saying on my 4Runner. I didn’t know they run so hot. I’m pretty sure it will fit where you installed your other two cooler’s.

[@proofpositive2379]

great vid as always.

[@OverlandPNW]

Great video!

[@JonnieF14]

great vid, was actually thinking about something like this since I'll be making the swap to 35s.

[@Danielmsound1]

Know this is a bit old but I would suggest a torque lockup kit. I drive an FJ Cruiser with a transcooler and my highway temps drop to about 145 when the torque converter lockup kit is engaged. Can drop from about 200 to 145-180 range. That's been my experience so far with it.

[@chaztaylor76]

Bigger trans pan helps as well. Holy shit the radiators you have infront of your rig is intense

[@timdavenport2943]

Please do a transmission cooler video on the GX setup. I have a 2005 Toyota 4runner V8. Would also like some links if possible.

[@SandyCats]

Won’t have full video until summer but just put up a short of the setup on the GX

[@jailbreakoverlander]

I put the 25 row derale in 5 months ago and keeps it pretty cool except when climbing mtns. then it only hits 200 with 37s

[@jailbreakoverlander]

and with tsist just arrived this morning hahahaha

[@SandyCats]

200 with 37s is amazing!

[@falkfluegel5557]

Heat transfer area is the most important. Plate fin coolers are most efficient in regards to space. Maybe overkill, but I added a magnetic filter on another ride after the cooler. What do you think about a filter before coolers? It ensures that you aren't plugging off over time, especially since plate fin cooler have smaller passages. Probably overkill, but having watched you for the first time, I'm thinking you like overkill. I will be tying a cooler before radiator because I live in a cold climate. Avoids bypass system, the transmission cooler afterwards will cool when it's hot and heat when it's cold. I will install a better fluid than WS, not sure which yet, however my biggest and urgent recommendation for everyone is to add lubegard (red bottke) to your system. Over 15 years of use, cools your tranny, fixes rough shifting and prevents shudder. It's not a gimmick. However, living in Canada, I have currently a hard time getting some. Fortunately, I have enough for a service of the new to me 2012 4runner, but I feel uncomfortable if I don't have extra sitting on the shelf

[@SandyCats]

Hard for me to answer as first I’ve heard of filter for transmission… but it makes a lot of sense. Wish you didn’t tell me because… I do like overkill 😂. Will also look into lubegard.

[@sanjuan4942]

Just viewed thanks for the knowledge share- could you do a vid on what you selected on the scan gage for optimum monitoring of 5th gen systems

[@SandyCats]

Good idea. Will do

[@tbgtbg6311]

Great Stuff!!!! Is the AC still installed in this rig? I don't see a fan. Cheers

[@SandyCats]

Still there.. just behind the supercharger cooler

[@tylerwest3820]

Great video and sweet fleet of trucks you have. Do either of your 4Runners have KDSS looking to buy one and wondering if it’s worth having. Plan to lift the truck under 3in

[@SandyCats]

GX has kdss. I pulled it out of one of the 4Runners. If you do not go long travel or mid travel in the rear KDSS is awesome once you add the dr.KDSS switch. (So you can go 3” and still keep KDSS functional). It actually doesn’t limit off-road at all. But if you plan to go mid/long travel your going to have to remove it.

[@tylerwest3820]

Thanks keep up the great work. 🍻

[@dericklock4024]

Did you use the 5gal per min thermostat or the 20gal per min?

[@chopperpl]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Could you tell us how much you are above the stock weight on GX (front, rear)?

[@SandyCats]

I never weighed it so I wouldn’t know for sure. I would guess around 1100-1200 pounds not loaded (including larger tires and suspension).

[@christopherfrazier1086]

when you are measuring the trans temp, do you reference the oil pan temp or the temp at the torque converter? In my GX, the Torque converter can see temps 15-20 degrees hotter than the pan temp

[@SandyCats]

Both. But referring to pan

[@gdog1443]

Hi, My name is Glenn from newzealand, I have a ford ranger that has the 3.2 litre straight 5 diesel, I occasionally tow a caravan/travel trailer and the hand book suggests using “s” mode for towing which I do and also use tiptronic on steeper sections, Just curious as to how “s” mode works by keeping the transmission cooler? I understand the shift pattern is also modified over drive mode.

[@SandyCats]

Two things: 1. The more your transmission shifts…. The hotter it will get. Automatic transmission shift a lot. 2… the lower your rpm’s (short version) the hotter your transmission gets. In a Toyota by going into S mode you tell the vehicle not to drive in the highest gear… so if your going 70 mph at 1800 rpm in 6th gear now you’ll be at (approximately) 2500 rpm in 5th gear by going to S mode. You can also lower the highest gear to 4th or 3rd with the intent of keeping the RPMs up (around 2500ish) at slower speeds. I am assuming the s mode works similar in your ford.

[@gdog1443]

@@SandyCats yes it does, Thank you for the reply

[@brad5878]

Did you just start the engine and let the cooler and all hoses fill naturally? Or did you follow what improved racing’s instructions say which is pre-fill cooler and disconnect fuel pump fuses etc. ?

[@SandyCats]

Start engine and let it all fill naturally

[@brad5878]

Sweet thanks for the rapid response. Just finished relocating the SC pump under driver headlight as well and adding all new HD rated heater hose. TIGHT Space! I modified the Mishimoto cooler sold for 2007ish FJs and said I’ll make it work and fits good. The IR bypass just arrived so once I saw those instructions I thought damn that’s a bit much 😅. Thanks🍻

[@PrimeTime345]

Do you still get good Air Conditioner efficiency with the transmission coolers all mounted in front of the Air Conditioning Condenser? Any noticeable difference?

[@SandyCats]

Zero difference…

[@Movinthroughtheworld]

do you think I could just run my trans off of a 15"x13"x5.5" thick with a 800cfm fan cooler in the back without the radiator?

[@SandyCats]

If you got a fan on it… yes. Jailbreak overland is running it in the spare tire carrier on a 4Runner on 37s. He is using a 25 row stacked plate cooler with a fan. He didn’t go over 200 when we drove up the 15 going 80.