Best Transmission Oil Cooler

I have a 2014 Tacoma DCSB TRD 4X4 Sport with just over a 100K miles.

I'm looking for some feedback or thoughts from someone who will share their experience and/or recommend a better alternative for upgrading the OEM transmission oil cooler.

One that has caught my eye is a Flex-A-Lite SPELAB 30 Row 10AN Aluminum Engine Transmission Oil Cooler Kit.

The Flex-A-Lite has:

• a large surface area
• a stacked-plate construction
• comes with all the necessary hardware and fittings for installation
• measures 11" wide x 7-1/2" tall x 4-1/4" deep
• has a GVWR rating of 26,000 lbs.
• a built-in electric fan that activates when the fluid temperature reaches 180°F
• comes with a thermostatic controller that allows you to adjust the fan activation temperature
• and supposedly can reduce transmission fluid temperature by up to 40°F

 

https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/hayden,698,fluid+cooler,2088

This is what I installed in mine in line with the OEM cooler. I often tow in the mountains and used to easily reach 250 degrees on the trans temp in the summer. Making the same drive, now it’s rare that I even get to 210 while towing.

 

Thank you @EMR I'm going to check it out well. It's similar in size except for depth but much cheaper for some reason. I think I know why but I'm going to check it out first.

 

The Flex-a-lite one is likely more expensive because it's pretty aluminum and it comes with all the hardware. Mine is was plain-jane and came with nothing at all.

I'm sure both work just fine. Choose within your means and aesthetics I suppose.

 

Stating what your intentions are for your truck will dramatically help in asserting what cooler is best!

Crawling?
Highway/city driving?
Mobbing dirt roads/trails?
Towing?

I’ve got over $700 in parts in my Tacoma trans cooler. I subjectively can’t stand cheap parts as I feel reliability is an issue long term.

What are your trans temps now?

Proper coolers will rate in btu. I think the factory cooler is roughly 15-17,000 btu.

 

Yeah what are you doing that you feel the need to necessitate a change in trans cooler.

IF i was to go with an aftermarket cooler to replace the stock auto trans cooler found on truck with the stock tow package it would be one from this line as they have a built in thermostat

https://www.haydenauto.com/en/produ...oil-coolers/patented-internal-by-pass-coolers

Either the 697 or 698.


That stated, i recently moved the stock cooler up ~2-2.5in so that its not hidden behind the grill and with that small change trans temps remained in much better check while towing/loaded uphill in hot ambient temps (which is where my truck would see its hottest temps typically)

 

mines the 698. Zero complaints here.

Interesting idea in simply moving the OEM cool up a few inches. Definitely not a bad idea if it works!

 

Big thread about trans coolers here:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...l-toyotas-write-up-with-many-pictures.526283/

 

Because it was free, I used a b&m. It came with the cooler, fan, thermostat switch. After climbing a long hill and on very hot days the fan

 

I have a small one on my FJ. Temps stay around 200-210 max (climbing mountain)

 

I installed the Tru-Cool LPD auto transmission oil cooler 4589, 24,000 GVW. I purchased and installed the cooler in 2020, it’s been great and I would install it again. I have a trailer and have hauled corn for hunting. Never any issues with high temps.

 

I just started selling 2nd and 3rd gen Tacoma transmission cooler brackets and kits. I use the Hayden 678 and 698 coolers.

https://iconic-fabrication.myshopify.com/products/2005-2015-tacoma-transmission-cooler-bracket-kit

https://iconic-fabrication.myshopify.com/products/2016-2023-tacoma-transmission-cooler-bracket-kit

 

Ford 6.0 Cooler works wonders for those dealing with high heat

https://www.carparts.com/details/Ford/F-250_Super_Duty/Replacement/2005-2007/REPF311118.html