I THOUGHT I HAD THE TOW PACKAGE -- WHERE'S THE EXTERNAL COOLER??

Hi I have a 2021 TRD Sport 4X4 with the supposed Tow package. At least it has the tow receiver !! I followed my transmission lines after doing my first engine oil change - only to find that I just have the cooler in the radiator and nothing else (I included photos of the front radiator areas). I now would like to add an external cooler, as I do tow a trailer quite often and really believe in them. Should I complain to the dealer ? Did they leave them out in 2021 models ??

Can someone tell me which line feeds the radiator trans cooler. I always assume it to be the bottom line - but just want to be sure I'm grabbing the "hot" one.

Also - is it a good idea to just leave the thermostat plunger in the open position full time with a clip.

Thanks for the continued help. Regards Scott

Left side radiator


Right side


Is this the Power Steering Cooler below the Radiator ?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/missing-transmission-cooler.671079/

See this thread.

 

Those went away in early 2020. search here for missing cooler and you should find the thread when they went bye bye.

 

I guess there is no need to contact the dealer. Can my other questions be answered by a tech on here.

Can someone tell me which line feeds the radiator trans cooler. I always assume it to be the bottom line - but just want to be sure I'm grabbing the "hot" one.

Also - is it a good idea to just leave the thermostat plunger in the open position full time with a clip.

Thanks -- Scott

 

Transmissions can get too cold as well as too hot. I would leave the thermostat stock.

 

You wouldn't, by chance, have a manual transmission?

 

He's right you know... When a tranny gets too cold It shrivels up its gears. Guys can relate

 

Hot is TOP...

 

++++

 

Thanks - I will leave that one in place and send the lower (cooler) line to the external cooler. Thanks for the quick answers !!

 

Just tow. Are you smarter than the engineers who designed it?
It will be fine man.

 

Hi

Hi I have installed many external coolers in the fleet of busses that I serviced for a living. They were strictly stop and go vehicles in Atlantic City. It was a proven fact that they do work, as trans life certainly increased in the busses that had them. I'm a believer for sure and with as much space is there - this will be an easy one to install. Thanks for the helpful suggestions. Scott

 

Or after market...

 

Thanks -- most likely go with a larger aftermarket and considering by-passing the radiator cooler. Having the thermostat there should be quite helpful to get it to temp faster.

 

https://www.toyotapartsdeal.com/oem...1=2GRFKS;4=LIMD;6=6FC;7=DCB;0=GRN310L-PRTLHA)

 

Toyota disagrees with the fact that Tacoma owners will be pulling a trailer. Had Toyota continued adding the external transmission cooler on 2020 and later trucks. Toyota probably wouldn't have been able to source the cooler, and would have had to sell trucks with out the cooler.

 

It seems to me that they are selling trucks without the cooler, thus the basis for this thread. I really had no idea. Thought I had a misprint from the factory.

 

I think they decided in here to agree with the Toyota engineers that it was not needed . You can add one if you want if you tow heavy and frequently . You can also add a gauge and just monitor for now .

 

Toyota got rid of the trans cooler on Tacoma and Tundra, I thought I saw a video of someone from Toyota explaining that the cooler wasn't necessary. Could have been a video from somewhere else.

Now I'm wondering if the the 4.O 5th gen 4Runner had the external trans oil cooler, and if it did, was that discontinued on 2020 4Runners?

 

I just feel that in this world of throw away things, that maybe removing the heat will add to the life of something that just might be designed to fail. I do travel over a hefty mountain with the trailer that is not crazy heavy, but it does work the heck out of any vehicle. I know that I will be going to the PowerStop front pads and vented rotors when the time comes. They really worked nice for me on my 06 Exterra as did the "extra" external cooler and rad. cooler delete which was an inherent problem with them. Everything is a gamble, but this is a really easy install due the room provided. I believe that a colder tranny works somewhat better than a hotter one - and with the thermostat the temp shouldn't be a problem.