Not sure if I should move this to the Tundra forum.... but I went ahead and bought a V8 2001 Tundra with rear air bags, EBC, and rear leafs added for towing. It has 160K miles and I will have it inspected and worked on before we leave for Alaska.

That being said, without adding a tranny cooler or doing any additional work, how heavy of a trailer (including loaded weight) would people recommend for the 3,400 mile 60 hour drive, if we are doing it over 2 weeks and spreading the driving time out relatively evenly.

Thanks!

 

Better off asking those questions in the Tundra foum but I can say this, get a tranny cooler for 100%. It is so cheap and easy it is silly to not get it as insurance.

 

OK I will definitely look into it. For some reason I thought they were expensive.

 

X2 get the biggest one you can fit properly, preferably a plate style with a fan built onto it.

 

I just called my mechanic who's very reputable. He said that he would get the transmission fluid flushed and have it looked at by a reputable transmission place or Toyota and that he wouldn't mess with the lines or do any changing of parts except maybe looking into getting Toyota parts for a package that would be stock parts for a transmission cooler. He said it would be doing more damage installing a kit than it would be to just leave it alone and do the flush the right way.

I will have to keep researching!

 

Mechanics despise anything aftermarket. Mostly because it is usually installed by some 16 year old kid and causes issues down the road.

In this case he is sorely wrong though. Cooler trans temps = Longer trans life and more reliable truck. This is fact through and through.

Sure you can do it without it but why when it costs like ~$50 for a nice cooler with install kit? Just make sure it is installed properly and you will be fine.

Mine has been on there for ~8 years now and not a single issue nor do I ever seeing there being one. Dropped trans temps from daily driving down almost 50 degrees though and during towing a lot more.

 

OK, yeah I really think the trans cooler makes sense. I am going to call around and see how much places will charge and I will make sure they are reputable transmission places.

I agree about the 16 year old kid thing...sad thing is I am 24 and would probably do a bad job myself. I wasn't fortunate enough to grow up around anyone that knew anything about cars, but I am trying to learn when I can!

 

Best way to learn is by doing, preferably on an older car that is cheap to fix.

 

Must not be to reputable. Heat is probably the #1 killer of auto transmissions. I would also advise AGAINST the flush. Just drain and fill if you are changing the fluid.
Most shops also have people trained just on OEM setups, that's all they do R&R. They don't do aftermarket anything

 

I just called a transmission place in Reno, NV (Arrow Automotive Transmission Specialists) and explained the whole situation.

They said they wouldn't recommend adding a tranny cooler for a 3000-4000 pound trailer and for a tundra like mine.

They said to stop every 3-4 hours and run it in neutral for 15 minutes or so to cool it down.

I am going to keep looking around but yeah, I still agree that it seems like it would be a good idea.

 

Yes, you could get away with a cooldown stop every few hours but most of the time they get "forgotten" when you are making good time.

At least get an OBDII scanner and watch the trans temps so you know when it is getting too high. Since you have an 01 it should be able to be read. You can get wireless models that work with your phone for about $25.

 

Transmission places make money on rebuilding transmissions and such. Not installing coolers on them to make them last longer

 

+1


Just add the transmission cooler and be done with it. Stop letting these transmission shops jerk you around. Adding an aftermarket transmission cooler is kind of a "custom" job, so most shops don't do it. Make a friend on a Toyota forum and have him help you out. If you were close to me, I'd help you. All I'd ask for is that you pay for lunch and you bring the beer or something. I asked for help on another 4Runner forum with removing my front differential (to get at the oil pan), and it cost me a Chick-fil-A breakfast. Fellow motor heads are usually willing to help other people out.

 

It seems like the general consensus is definitely to upgrade the tranny cooler. For starters, is the vertical rectangle on the left the stock tranny cooler?

Can I buy a tranny cooler that won't need modification and will just bolt in without any new hoses or anything?

 

Interesting, was not aware that the tundra came with a factory cooler.

Well that might do it but larger is always better. There is room on the other side for another one and the hoses are within easy reach. Or just leave it alone and watch the trans temp with an OBDII scanner.

If you are wanting to learn to work on cars, installing a tranny cooler is one of the easier jobs to learn with. You just buy one that fits the spot you want. Stick it in the spot, shove the radiator mounts through the holes and radiator and cap them off. Then run the hoses.

But like I said, if you watch the temp, it should make it as is.

I would ask this in the tundra section to see what guys with direct experience say.

 

You should be good with that cooler, still get something you can watch the temps with.
Also is that a 2x4 holding your battery down??

 

Check out TundraSolutions.com if you need more info. There aren't many Tundra owners on YotaTech.
Also, there is a "trans temp" light in the gauges if the temperature gets too hot!

 

If it's anything like the "trans temp" light in the older trucks it's pretty much useless. The light triggers at 250 degrees Fahrenheit I believe, to the point the fluid is burnt.

 

Yellow pine is well known for its acid-absorbing qualities.



Andreas

 

My battery was "held" in by a bungee cord with about 10 fraying spots. Haha

True. I don't know anything about it since I don't tow with my Tundra. They have the normal radiator cooler, then a factory auxiliary cooler. And they are rated for around 6500 lbs if I'm not mistaken.

OP: early first gen Tundras are plagued by lower ball joints separating, transmissions eating themselves, front brakes being too small and the rear cross member where the spare is attached rusting away. Have all of those checked thoroughly before you make the trip!