Why don't I have a ATF cooler?

Lots of dumb questions incoming...

I have a 2021 4dr short bed auto TRDOR.
Has reciever hitch and break light plugs.

But it has no transmission cooler....?(radiator style mounted in front grill area.)

Its got a PS pump cooler. But no transmission cooler.

I now see that some Tacos do have this style transmission cooler in place.

I assume it's a package/option. I vaugly recall requesting a "tow package".

I'm on Toyotas site building a taco out and I don't see a "transmission cooler" box to tick.

What am I missing?

And since I don't seem to have one, is the transmission cooler a "kit" I can order from the dealership? Or is it worth going fully aftermarket at this point?

Thanks

 

I believe Toyota did away with these in later years to cut costs; Although, I have read about some trucks still having them. Any of the coolers from Derale or Hayden automotive could be added in.

 

Your truck still has a cooler that runs through the radiator. The additional air to oil cooler seemed to quietly disappear mid year 2019 or 2020.

 

You do have one, it's in your radiator (built-in). Toyota eliminated the external one, in front of radiator in 2020 if I recall it right. Stated not necessary, it's an assumption they did it for cost. You can add aftermarket if you prefer. I would only if your doing heavy towing. But these trucks suck for heavy towing.

 

The towing package became standard a couple of years ago. Your truck isn't special

The air-to-liquid ATF cooler was discontinued around May 2020.

If you're concerned about transmission temps, first pin the ATF thermostat open, then monitor temps with an OBD2 reader.

 

My 2020 came with the external ATF cooler. I think toyota change them to be internal a bit later....it had something to do with having the atf warming up to temp quicker which made the transmission perform better than one with colder fluid running through it....probably saving some fuel to.

 

Pretty sure it was a mid-year 2020 switch to the internal radiator - my January 2020 build still has the external one.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/search/16795479/?q=cooler&t=post&o=date&c[title_only]=1&c[node]=186

 

Thank you to everyone for the replies.

Makes sense. So instead of an external cooler we now have a oil/coolant heat exchanger.

Does anyone have a diagram showing the oil flow piping for the trans fluid to plumb in an external cooler?

Has anyone bypassed the heat exchanger in favor of an air/oil cooler?

Reason I ask is, I've never been a fan of the coolant exchanger because I've seen on other, older vehicles, the exchanger will fail internally and you end up with a transmission full of coolant. While I don't doubt Toyotas quality, having seen that type of system fail has always had me concerned.

 

Sure, a radiator can fail internally and mix fluid. However, of those I’ve seen, the coolant was severely neglected and a major corrosion was the culprit.

I’ve also seen exterior coolers fail as well as hard and flexible lines. Nothing is bulletproof.

 

The cooler in the radiator has always been there. The only deleted the extra one in front of the radiator.

 

if you live in hot climates good luck, mine doesn’t have one

 

The main reason for they don’t add it anymore is because synthetic transmission fluid can take way higher temperatures than dino oil, like 300 degrees so it was seen as redundant. The inter-radiator cooler has always been there.

 

OK. Makes sense. But now that has me wondering, did the formula for WS fluid change in 2020 which is around the time the cooler appear to have vanished?

 

Deep South Texas heat.
If I can get the PIDS in Torque to work, I'd know where my baseline is.

 

Do you have a diagram showing how the hoses for these two are plumbed?

 

honestly, i wouldn’t worry to much only if you tow a lot. But if you must know a scan guage 2 will tell you the temp.

 

You mean like their physical, external routing? Or are you wondering how the fluid flows through the sealed rad? Can't you just look?

 

My 2020 has it sweet. I knew I bought the best year!!

 

nice just make sure it doesnt leak,wouldnt want a fried tranny