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How much $$$ to install these tow package components?

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8.4K views 37 replies 19 participants last post by  Nataphen  
#1 ·
http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forums/tundra/131931-having-my-first-problem-tq-converter/

In the link above, you will see how I was shafted by the salesman that sold my new Tundra to me. I bought the truck under the impression that it had the tow package, when all that it really had was a receiver for which I was charged $550. I have a few questions because I still want some of the tow package options installed onto my truck.

How much would it cost/would it be possible to install/are there better aftermarket pieces available for the following:

supplementary trans cooler

150A alternator

larger radiator??? (owners manual says there is a higher coolant cap. for tow equipped trucks even though it doesn't mention it in the package list)

tachometer w/ trans temp gauge

If there are better aftermarket options, I am open to them as I know that OEM parts will be expensive. I'm really curious about the tach face with the integrated trans temp gauge working. I know that on GM vehicles, you can swap to a gauge cluster with a trans gauge and it will work on all of the trucks and suvs. They all have the hardware, but just not the gauge. I wonder if this would be the case with the Tundra and if it would be worth the money and effort to do.

I'm open the any suggestions or comments, still pissed, but willing to work through it. :rolleyes:
 
#2 ·
well my first comment is nice lookin truck! i have the same exact truck, you made the right choice, at least yours came with a reciever, mine didnt. im gonna buy one off of etrailer.com and install it myself, but i am kind of interested on how much it would cost for all that stuff.

nice truck, you picked the right one!
 
#4 ·
They told me the same thing, when my truck came in and it had the sports appearance package, and it didnt have the tow package. I drove it for a month and they ordered me a new truck with the tow package. I believe gearing is different also, (not 100% sure). Mileage was better with the first truck.
 
#5 ·
They told me the same thing, when my truck came in and it had the sports appearance package, and it didnt have the tow package. I drove it for a month and they ordered me a new truck with the tow package. I believe gearing is different also, (not 100% sure). Mileage was better with the first truck.
4.10's for the SAP and 4.30's for the factory equipped tow package. When I bought my tundra, the salesman pulled the same bs with me saying that he would add the towing package. I assumed that meant everything- I didn't know the SAP trucks didn't have the cooler, gears, gauge, etc. I was, and still am I guess, pissed about how that all went down.
 
#8 ·
Not that this helps you . But all DC , CM tundras in Canada come with the SAP and towing package together . All 5.7 come with 4.30 gears and all 4.7 have 4.10 gears . Why can't you just order the truck how ever you would like it in either country . They are all built in the same factory . Maybe we would want a 5.7 with 410 gears and a lower tow rating but better mileage .
 
#9 ·
IMO I wouldn't hassle with the tranny gauge. The only time I ever see mine move is during hard, low-speed off-roading. If you get the cooler, etc. that should suffice; save yourself the hassle and expense of tearing up your dash to change the cluster.
 
#10 ·
If it can't be done, then I'll live with it, but I like the idea of being able to monitor the trans temp though. What if something happens that I am not aware of that causes me to start loosing fluid quickly? My 2003 Cobra didn't have a voltmeter because it has the factory boost gauge where that normally is in a mustang. When I was 5 hours from home, my lights started going dim while I was going down the freeway in heavy traffic. Luckily I got off of the freeway before the car went completely dead. I found out that my alternator was burned up and I didn't even know that it wasn't charging. If there is a gauge that I'm supposed to have, I want it.
 
#11 ·
here's my take;

I know how pi$$ing off it must be (to be lacking that extra equipment). I'm considering trading in my 08 CM w/tow, for 07 DC SAP, and one of the things that's holding me back is that stupid temp gauge.

anyways, keep in mind that you can add a sturdy hitch cheap, and the tow cap will be at about 8000 lbs or so, even with class IV/V hitch I believe this due to the fact of missing ATF cooler and smaller diff.

bottom line is, if you don't plan on towing more than 8000 lbs, then you dont need all those tow package gadgets. even tow/haul mode, a lot of folks that tow never use it.

if you really want to do it, then adding the ATF cooler and replacing that "mixer" ( for the lack of better word) would be quite easy. and most of those parts could be get from another wrecked tundra.

trans temp gauge, as much as aggrevating it is, you can live without it. if you put trans cooler, then if the trans is going to fail, it won't be because of the overheating. to install it you would need new cluster, temp sensor, and who knows, maybe a wiring for it

the only thing left is the differential. that 4.10 should give you a better mileage though.
 
#13 ·
Not that this helps you . But all DC , CM tundras in Canada come with the SAP and towing package together . All 5.7 come with 4.30 gears and all 4.7 have 4.10 gears . Why can't you just order the truck how ever you would like it in either country . They are all built in the same factory . Maybe we would want a 5.7 with 410 gears and a lower tow rating but better mileage .
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How does the factory vs port/dealer hitch look and clear the petite SAP bumperette? Are you sure Toyota does not delete some of the tow components when the SAP is ordered?
 
#15 ·
The dealer installed a Hidden Hitch brand on my RCSB with the SAP. Clears everything just fine.
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I know that works, but in the US the larger factory hitch is not used with the SAP option due to the small bumper, so it seems it would not be used in Canada either. Canada has large port centers operated by Toyota Canada, so does anyone know if the hitch for SAP trucks are installed there, or if the hitch is the same hitch that is listed as non compatible in the US; and are SAP trucks shipped from US plants with the trans cooler, engine oil cooler, and other misc parts of the factory installed trailer components that are deleted in the US?
 
#16 ·
[snipped]

NATAPHEN; Your Truck is perfectly capable of towing what you have in mind, so the vehicle is adequate, but I know you are not happy. What i would think would be within reason is to have a talk with the sales manager and the dealership manager/owner/president, and tell him he need to tell his sales people to not discuss things they know nothing about, and you know it would be prohibitive cost wise to install all the misc factory bits and pieces, but you sure would like to at least add a cooler, and see if the might kick in $2-300.00 since you were led to believe the vehicle came equipped with such, and just see what happens. If the salesperson was a loudmouth, bridging how his truck had the "tow pkg", I'm sure others heard him, and wondering what your next move is, so a few hundred might buy the dealer some piece of mind, just to get this problem behind them.
 
#17 ·
Don't the trucks with the tow package come pre-wired for brake controllers as well?
I only say this because I just got done installing a Tekonsha P3 tonight...easy as pie...plug and play, literally! (with the Toyota wire harness)
 
#18 ·
IIRC, the Tow Pkg., in addition to the tranny cooler, also includes the engine oil cooler & power steering cooler.
 
#21 ·
I have a 2007 tundra Dc SR5 long box 4x4 5.7 L 10.5 diff 4.30 gears prewired brake contorler same hitch as seen on toyota tv adds , trany cooler - heater with temp gauge , power steering cooler , 7 and 4 pin trailer wiring . larger alt . I'm not sure if i'm forgetting any thing .

My truck was built in texas in april 07 . after ordering it i kept checking on the status of the trucks delivering date it took about a month to get here after the build date . It did take a while to cross the boarder so I have no idea if the had to do mods at the port or if it was because of the CN rail strike that was going on in Canada .

I will scan in the 07 brochure that I have tomorrow and add it to this thread .
 
#22 ·
I just found a pic of a SAP rear bumper I had no idea that they where so different . I thought the SAP was only the front resin bumper . Here Canada we all have the resin front and crome back bumpers . Sorry if I had raised any ones hopes to high .
 
#23 ·
i have a 4.7 tundra dc and i have a trans cooler and trans gauge but no tow package i think if i buy the switch it will work is that rite. my truck came with hitch+reciever so i guess i got lucky then huh.
 
#24 ·
Start here...
Conicelli Parts Center Tow Hitch
You should be able to find most of what you are looking for and how much it could cost you.

Thanks for the link, but I have another question, which trans cooler do I get? It has one for the 5.7 w/o tow package, and two for the 5.7 w/ tow package. I'm sorry to be a bother, but I really don't know anything about these trucks, obviously, lol.

EDIT: I would guess that I don't want the one for w/o tow, and the two listed for w/ tow look to be the same. Maybe it's just an accidental double listing.
 
#25 ·
The gauge cluster with the trans temp gauge is only $350. I could buy that and probably sell my stock cluster on here or ebay. If it already has the same wiring harness and has the sensor in place, which I would bet that it does, I don't think that it should be too bad of a switch. I think that I could live with the lower amp alternator, the 4.10s are better than the 4.30s IMO, and I don't mind not having the 7-pin and brake controller. I think that I would be OK if I could get those swapped out.

There are universal trans coolers like these:

Oil Coolers, Transmission Cooler, Engine Cooling System

These are cheaper and quite possibly better than the stock one anyway, I may look into using one. Are there any aftermarket radiators that are better than stock? From what I can tell, all of the 5.7 rads are the same. I don't know why the owner's manual shows that the coolant cap is higher with the tow pkg.
 
#26 ·
The reason why the coolant capacity is higher is due to the water heated tranny fluid warmer and the water cooled engine oil cooler. The factory tranny fluid temp gauge is as worthless as the engine coolant temp gauge. If you want to know actual temps (rather than somewhere between C & H), try a ScanGuage.......I think the new versions will also display tranny temp but not positive.

ScanGaugeII - Trip Computers + Digital Gauges + Scan Tool