2003 V6 Auto Trans Cooler Install?

[Bonefish]

I am planning on using my Base V6 Tundra with Auto Trans for occasional tow of a 3,000 pound boat (total weight incl. trailer). Although marginal, this should not be problem since it is rated for 5,000 lbs. My towing experience is that an additional transmission cooler is always a good idea (even when not towing) so I plan to install one and am interested in info from anyone who has done this on a Tundra V6.

Interested in specific cooler used and how mounted. Also direction of trans fluid flow - think it flows from rear trans fitting to passenger side of radiator, exits drivers side of radiator and back into trans through front trans fitting. Plan to put cooler into drivers side exit hose rerouted to cooler infront of A/C condenser.

Thought about using 4.7 V8 trans cooler but $300 plus price is steep.

Any info greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[Buzzard]

Thats next on my list. Im looking at a unit from Summit Racing Equipment. Part # BMM-70255. $42.95 + SHIPPING 11" X 5 3/4" X 3/4". 16,000 GVW. Havent ordered it yet will probably do it after the first of the year. Too much going on now to mess with it. Looked at my son-in-laws 8 cyl Tundra and it looks like all you have to do is disconnect the line on the passenger side of the radiator, run it thru the cooler and return to the radiator. ----Buzz

[RichR]

Try searching or send KLS a pm.I know he has recommended types of functional upgrades(filter/coolers) to members.
He is a weath of mechanical info.
RichR

[Bonefish]

The Summit B&M cooler part looks like good candidate.

I found installation Instructions for a TRD trans cooler (TRD p/n 0602-16491-00X) which details installation for Tacoma, T100 & 4Runner (but not Tunda). The distributor for the TRD part contacted Toyota and said Toyota does not recommend it for Tundra - I suspect because it might be too big for typical Tundra installation location or the right brackets are not offered to make it a simple bolt-on.

The TRD info shows the cooler installing in the driver side transmission fluid radiator cooler tube, and states that fluid should pass through the radiator cooler first, then through the TRD cooler.

That TRD driver side transmission fluid radiator cooler tube location agrees with info from a page in the Toyota parts computer for V6 Tundra (Oil Cooler and Tube - #351742-A). The Toyota parts drawing from the computer appears to shows the passenger side radiator tube as the transmission fluid "Outlet" and the driver side trans fluid tube as "Inlet".

My planned location is to put the cooler on the passenger side of the truck (in the V8 cooler location) to use the existing cooler mounting holes. If I follow the TRD info, I will leave the passenger side hose connected to the radiator. I need to disconnect the drivers side radiator hose from the transmission and route it back into the new cooler on the passenger side. The hose out of the new cooler needs to connect to the transmission where the drivers side radiator originally went.

If the TRD info is right, that should pass the trans fluid through the stock radiator cooler first, then through the new cooler and then back into the transmission.

Meanwhile, I need to find out what size brass fittings to use and also if 90 degree or straight fitting are best (depending on the location of the cooler cooler inlet/outlet).

[Buzzard]

Originally Posted by RichR

Try searching or send KLS a pm.I know he has recommended types of functional upgrades(filter/coolers) to members.
He is a weath of mechanical info.
RichR

I think the unit from Summit that I an going to get is the one KLS recommended---Buzz

[Buzzard]

Originally Posted by 2toytrucks

Bonefish, I have a 03' V-6 and added a trans cooler for the same reason, our boat is not as heavy as your's (about 2300 lbs.). I went with a B&M supercooler trans cooler rated from 11,000 to 16,000 gvw. You are right the return line for the trans is on the driver's side. The install is pretty easy, and the kit comes with good direction's. One of the big things to look for in a trans cooler is a "stacked plate type" and not the old tube and fin design. You can see the cooler installed in "my photo's". B&M's instruction's showed just the trans to the cooler and back, or from the trans to the cooler to the radiator back to trans. The kit comes with all the hardware needed, but if I remember right I was short 1 hoseclamp.

Im sure my son-in-laws V8 was in the passenger side line. I wonder why the difference? Someone with a V8 would you look and post which side yours cooler is connected.---Buzz.