Lexus GX470 Transmission Cooler Upgrade. 3x Bigger!

[@Kinann]

Great video. I needed to know the location of it and within seconds you were there with it. No long intros, no removing plastic, just BAM. Great job.

[@jamie.andrews]

You're welcome!

[@TC-en7vi]

Great video! Thanks a lot for all the information and links!!! Good job!!!!

[@jamie.andrews]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rayro481]

Great Video, just did the upgrade using Steve Foltz's Bracket. I ended up reusing the OEM hose clamp. To make the bottom hose fit with the spring clamp I slid a washer behind cooler. That created just enough room to slide the spring clamp on the hose. Your video made this job super easy.

[@jamie.andrews]

Glad it helped

[@GulfCoastToad300]

Great video. No BS; just facts. And helicopters.

[@jamie.andrews]

Lol. Ty. I live next to an airport and ER.

[@cnknguyen]

Good video, I installed mine the other day. The only thing I did different was install the lower line first, pumped fluid in through the top of the cooler until it filled (took a while) so there wasnt air running through the system (kinda like prefilling your oil filter when changing engine oil). Made a huge difference in trans temp.

[@jamie.andrews]

Glad to hear it worked out for you!

[@josephoverstreet5584]

What did you do exactly To pump fluid in and what are y’all using to see actual trans temps

[@jamie.andrews]

@@josephoverstreet5584 I did not pump any fluid in. It holds 12 quarts in total and I removed maybe a half a quart. I use the Torque App and a cheap Bluetooth ODBII scanner off Amazon.

[@skeletronxxprime6277]

@@jamie.andrews why don’t just install aftermarket oem. It a lot easy install, any reason?

[@jamie.andrews]

@@skeletronxxprime6277 I am not sure I follow you. Aftermarket and OEM are not the same thing?

[@KGX470]

my brother recommended me relocating those to the passenger side and I didn't know how to do it...Thanks to your video, I do now! haha.

[@jamie.andrews]

Glad I could help!

[@robertemahiser574]

One good way to check the trans fluid temp is with an OBD II scan tool. I use myScanGuage2. I did need to enter the right codes to program it to display trans fluid temp. It needs to be between 115 and130, running in park, then pull the small plug stamped ‘check’. If none comes out, it’s low. Shut off, add through the return hose, then repeat.

[@jamie.andrews]

Great advice Robert! Thanks!

[@runnerxa]

I also tow a Fleetwood popup camper (2007 Arcadia) with my GX and had to upgrade my transmission cooler back in 2017. I was hitting 220 and 240 going up the mountains with the stock transmission cooler. After that trip, I got the big (in fact too big) Tru-Cool Max LPD47931 installed just below the front bumper below where your winch is. My ATF temp is now in the 160-170 range daily driving and 200 ish when towing. Currently I am in the process of swapping out the Tru-Cool Max to my LX570 and moving the stock LX transmission cooler to the GX470 since it is about twice the size of the stock GX transmission cooler. My GX is lifted as well so I did an axle flip on the popup camper and changed the stock 14" wheel to 15" wheel so I get better tire options + more ground clearance.

[@jamie.andrews]

I have been wanting to het a LX570 myself. What year is yours? My Fleetwood is sold. New camper coming to my channel soon and it is unique!

[@runnerxa]

I got a 2013 on 33" Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T. LX570 come with soft springs so I am probably going to put in either OME 2721 or Icon dual rated springs to reduce stress on the AHC (and to increase payload/towing to what the Land Cruiser can tow). However, I enjoy driving my supercharged 99 4Runner more than my GX and LX. LX is quiet, heavy, and feels a bit disconnected from the driving experience. GX feels nimble compared to the LX, does great off-road, and is a great all around family vehicle. My 4Runner is super nimble on the trails, it sounds fast because it is not insulated as well as the Lexus, is in excellent condition (I have owned it and maintained it for over 16 years), is my daily driver, and solo overlander. I meet so many people that come up and ask me if I am selling it. The supercharger whine is also addictive so that made it sound fast even though the LX is the fastest in a straight line despite it being 2000# (1 ton) heavier.

[@jamie.andrews]

@@runnerxa Sweet. Goal of mine for sure! I am planning on putting a 8.2 rear end in the GX with an e-locker. Do you offroad the LX much?

[@runnerxa]

I mainly use my 4Runner and GX for harder trails. LX is too big for most trails where I live. I use the LX for family overland trips to Moab or Death Valley so the mods are minimal. I think the 8.2 rear end with elocker only comes on the later FJs for the 120 platform. I suppose they are available for the 4Runner on the 150 platform and maybe the newer Tacos. I haven't really researched swapping in the 8.2 from the 150 platform.

[@timaugustine-dirt_trippin]

I see from several comments and responses that you didn't add any fluid. I would not be concerned about the small amount of fluid you lost, however, as you stated in the video, you tripled the capacity of the transmission cooler. That extra capacity is now in the cooler and not in your transmission pan, effectively lowering your fluid level in the pan. I have read of others doing this mod and adding nearly a quart of fluid to top up the level. I recommend that anyone doing this add additional fluid and set the fluid level per the manual. I know from experience that running a trans for an extended period can create problems down the road. Very informative video BTW, thanks.

[@jamie.andrews]

I appreciate your response. I almost want to make a seperate video about this as several people have spoken about this. So according to the guy that designed the bracket and installed this on dozens of GX470s the total loss the is less than a quart. The GX holds 12 quarts so losing 1 quart should not cause any issues. Without a dipstick it is hard to add fluid and you really should not overfill or even worse things can happen than being 1 quart low. Since we don't actually know how much is actually lost how much should be added is unknown. Taking all of this into consideration I decided it is best to not mess with adding fluid. I am pleased to say after 20k miles my transmission is still perfect. I am not saying it is wrong to add fluid, but one should be very careful about it if they do.

[@donstocker3137]

If I were to take a guess, it is because the hoses are "backward" the bottom hose drains back to the trans so there isn't much left in the cooler to lose if you let it set for a while after running.

[@timaugustine-dirt_trippin]

@@donstocker3137 Here's the problem, and many people don't know this. The fluid level is properly set while the engine is running and up to temperature, with fluid flowing throughout the system, and filling the torque converter and the cooler. If someone shuts off the engine, all of the fluid drains back to the pan, then they let fluid out the overflow level setting plug. They will then let too much fluid out, and the capacity will be too low, once the engine is restarted. Being a quart low in an automatic transmission is not good for the transmission. I have done it, before I learned. I think I added about 3/4 of a quart when I installed my cooler, and only a little drained out during the proper setting procedure. If you don't add fluid to compensate for the additional capacity of the cooler, the level is too low. That causes problems. The OP said he hasn't had any problems. My response is, "yet." Think about this: The level setting procedure is very specific to the exact optimum level. That's why there is no dipstick. The transmission needs that exact level, not a range like the engine. If you are not setting the level correctly, either high or low, it will cause problems eventually.

[@boostsv]

@@timaugustine-dirt_trippin The factory trans flush procedure drains 2qts of trans fluid at a time, then refilling 2qts, then draining 2qts, etc. Repeating until fluid comes out very very clean. So having the trans 3/4qt or even 1qt low temporarily definitely won't hurt anything at all. No area of the transmission will be starved of fluid. However...leaving it 1qt low and just forgetting about it is not the best idea I've ever heard of. By the looks of the engine bay on this GX, I'm sure the trans is in need of a flush anyways - might as well do it and finish this job properly. Topping off fluid is pretty easy - you add 0.4qts (according to Toyota) at a time, then pull the overflow plug with the trans at the measurement temperature (believe you want it between 106 and 115 degrees or so). If fluid doesn't come out, add another 0.4qts (I'm sure half a quart is just fine). Once fluid pours out of the overflow port while the trans is in the correct temperature range, wait for fluid to slow to a trickle, then put the plug back in, tighten, and done. Can use a ScanTool or cheap OB2 scanner to read trans temp. Easy.

[@2jzls1own]

Love it man thanks for this definitely upgrading mine asap

[@DrunkenChewbacca]

150$ for the bracket is steep. Holy cow.

[@MrKharper123]

Good video doc

[@qrs3658]

Nice video my brother. I like the front bumper. Where can I get one?

[@jamie.andrews]

Thanks. www.metaltech4x4.com/metal-tech-2003-09-gx470-raven-front-hybrid-bumper-stage-1/

[@miltechmoto]

Where is the temperature sensor measuring? The pan or somewhere else?

[@jamie.andrews]

I'm measuring at the pan

[@rdonlloyd]

I don't know a lot about transmission cooling systems. I was wondering if introducing air into the transmission cooling system is a problem? Seems like it would want be an airless system like brakes. Maybe? What happens to all the air in the system (because you added a significant amount empty space with the larger cooler)? I would love to understand this better.

[@jamie.andrews]

Never heard of that being a problem. If you overfill a transmission with fluid it will cause air bubbles to form and cause problems. Over 10k on my cooler and no issues along with several others. I would not worry about that.

[@samsonite363]

I'm not familiar with transmission coolers. Is there a transmission cooler pump that circulates the fluid?

[@jamie.andrews]

The transmission is the pump.

[@joeljenkins9424]

I just picked up a camper and will be towing it over some passes soon - what gear are you in when you're climbing? Mine weighs 3300 dry, pushing 4000 if I've got water in it and gear.

[@jamie.andrews]

I always tow in 4th. Whenclimbing I let it downshift to 3rd if needed. I am now regeared and it stops hunting for gears now.

[@joeljenkins9424]

@@jamie.andrews regeared your GX? At the diffs? Also thank you for the reply! I don’t have a lot of towing experience and I don’t want to break anything while I gain that experience.

[@trinydex]

seen some people talk about repurposing the stock transmission cooler as a power steering cooler. in your experience with the install, is there space to do that? maybe in front of the radiator fan and have the horns go anywhere else.

[@jamie.andrews]

Yes there should be space to do that.

[@mikef058]

I noticed you lost just a tiny bit of fluid as you were pulling out the hose off the stock cooler, is that an issues where the fluid has to be refilled?

[@jamie.andrews]

No issue. The amount of fluid lost vs the amount in the system is a small percentage. The system holds 12 quarts.

[@buysaverepeatandmore2047]

What diameter wire loom did you use? You mentioned using your own.

[@jamie.andrews]

Sorry I can't recall. I likely wrapped it with wireloom tape

[@diydaddy5092]

What was the long hose you showed at the beginning for?

[@jamie.andrews]

It comes in the kit with the cooler. You can replace the lines if you wish.

[@anirodriguez5386]

Can this be performed without the mountain pass custom bracket? Maybe with the included hardware?

[@jamie.andrews]

Technically it could, but you would need to fabricate something. The only mount in the box is to attach it directly to the radiator with plastic clips. I am not sure it is really possible. I have seen a few other people make something. IMO the bracket is worth it and he also provides all parts needed to do the job, not just the bracket.

[@bh5697]

I am going to be installing the Hayden 679 soon, did you have to top off any additional trans fluid? Also was it simply just unhook 2 hoses and hook them to the new cooler?

[@jamie.andrews]

I did not top off fluid. The loss is minimal. The old hoses connect directly to the new cooler.

[@bh5697]

Jamie Andrews I appreciate the tips and video! Installing mine next weekend

[@true_identity]

So did you have to add more fluid since you installed a larger cooler or did you keep it the same?

[@jamie.andrews]

I kept it the same. This transmission holds around 2 gallons so you are not removing very much. I just towed 4k pounds up a mountain yesterday and my highest temp was 195 and that was climbing 1k feet in .5 miles!

[@true_identity]

@@jamie.andrews Thats impressive for the gx. I guess ik what my next purchase is. Thanks for the vid btw!

[@jakealazruei3444]

what are you using to read your transmission temp?

[@jamie.andrews]

Just a cheap odb2 reader connected to my phone with Bluetooth

[@j.c.4192]

Can you share what you added to your GX470 thus far?

[@jamie.andrews]

I have a few things in my automotive playlest. I will be doing a complete overview soon.

[@chrisaturman]

How did you get the bracket. I went to the fb page but don’t see how to but it

[@jamie.andrews]

You will need to send them a message on their page using messenger.

[@jkendrick63]

Idk if I missed it, but did you have to add more trans fluid??

[@jamie.andrews]

Negative. You only lose a small fraction of it with this swap.

[@marine10672000]

I was thinking on doing a bigger cooler on my LX470, but OEM one takes up the whole right side so I don’t think I can go any bigger. Any thoughts?

[@jamie.andrews]

Well it depends on your layout which I am not familiar with. I suggest taking the question to the IH8MUD forums.

[@KarpucMotoring]

How are you checking your AT Fluid temp? Thanks

[@jamie.andrews]

I am using a Bluetooth ODB2 reader connected to Torque Pro app on my Android device.

[@KarpucMotoring]

@@jamie.andrews thx!

[@muradloyal8863]

@@jamie.andrews can you share the link for the exact Bluetooth driver scanner ?

[@jamie.andrews]

@@muradloyal8863 www.amazon.com/dp/B005NLQAHS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_ZkLAv7PGcrIO2

[@jack12324234213]

How big of a trailer are you pulling?

[@jamie.andrews]

4k pounds

[@jack12324234213]

How did you add extra trans fluid? I’m going to attempt this mid this weekend.

[@jillianrenee842]

:)

[@Standomness]

Did you have to add atf after installing?

[@jamie.andrews]

No. The loss is minimal.