Author: Tars Tarkas
Subject: Pushing The Limits On Tow Vehicles
Posted: 15 Jan 2017 at 9:11pm
I added a transmission cooler to my FJ Cruiser last summer before a trip to the Rockies. What a difference! I have a Scanguage to watch my transmission fluid temp, and with the aux cooler it runs a good 30 degrees cooler than before. It is very important, regardless, to run in 4th gear all the time, assuming you have a 5-speed automatic. It's the changing of gears that heats things up.
Transmission fluid temp is not the same as coolant temp. When people talk of overheating they are usually talking about coolant temps. In my FJ, the transmission fluid runs through the coolant radiator (inside its own plumbing), so the two are kind of related, but a transmission cooler will have very little effect on your coolant temp. You may need an auxiliary fan or a larger radiator if your coolant is getting too hot.
Anyway, I recommend an aux. tranny cooler, but highly recommend keeping the tranny in 4th (or lower going up or down long grades) when towing your pod.
TT
Subject: Pushing The Limits On Tow Vehicles
Posted: 15 Jan 2017 at 9:11pm
| Originally posted by birderdiane526 Hi, We tow a 179 with a 2004 4Runner with a WDH and E2 anti-sway bars. No issues with this. But climbing mountains in the west caused overheating so we want to add a tranny cooler. We are full-timers and keep storage bins in the 4Runner cargo area. Also, I started a thread called Towing capacity and lots of great information was posted. You might want to search for this. |
I added a transmission cooler to my FJ Cruiser last summer before a trip to the Rockies. What a difference! I have a Scanguage to watch my transmission fluid temp, and with the aux cooler it runs a good 30 degrees cooler than before. It is very important, regardless, to run in 4th gear all the time, assuming you have a 5-speed automatic. It's the changing of gears that heats things up.
Transmission fluid temp is not the same as coolant temp. When people talk of overheating they are usually talking about coolant temps. In my FJ, the transmission fluid runs through the coolant radiator (inside its own plumbing), so the two are kind of related, but a transmission cooler will have very little effect on your coolant temp. You may need an auxiliary fan or a larger radiator if your coolant is getting too hot.
Anyway, I recommend an aux. tranny cooler, but highly recommend keeping the tranny in 4th (or lower going up or down long grades) when towing your pod.
TT