Transmission Cooler Recommendation for a 2011 Toyota 4Runner Towing a 4,400 Pound Boat

Question:

I am looking for a tranny cooler for my 4.0L 2011 4runner. It has a max tow capacity of 5,000 lbs, and I have a 4,400lb boat and I live in Phoenix 120+ degrees in the summer. I will be towing the boat up 7 grades, etc. What do you recommend?

asked by: Jake G

Expert Reply:

Transmission coolers are not vehicle specific so you can basically use any one that will fit in the engine compartment. I recommend going with the Derale Series 8000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler Kit, # D13503. This cooler is rated for a gross trailer weight of up to 6,000 pounds. The overall dimensions of this cooler are 11 inches long, 8-3/4 inches tall, and 7/8 inches thick.

There are basically 3 possible mounting locations. For the most efficiency, the best place to mount it is in front of the air conditioning core. The next most efficient place is directly in front of the radiator. And the least efficient place is between the radiator and engine. If this last location is the only one available, it is recommended to use a larger cooler to compensate for the lost efficiency.

Below I have included a link to an FAQ article on transmission coolers as well as a video showing a typical installation.

expert reply by: Michael H