Build Thread: Sixstringsteve's 2002 Tacoma double cab: Carlos

[sixstringsteve]

Did you bypass the stock cooler in the radiator, or.did you add to it?

 

[dutchman]

I bypassed the stock cooler in the bottom of the radiator.

 

[sixstringsteve]

interesting... I'll have to pick your brain some more. i'd like to swap my radiator for a 5-speed radiator. It'll solve 2 problems:

1) I won't have to worry about the strawberry milshake symptom where the engine coolant gets into the tranny cooler and ruins the tranny

2) the manual transmission radiator doesn't hang down below the bumper so it'll be out of the way from getting smashed on rocks.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I've got one on my 4runner. Putting one on isn't real difficult. I think of it as cheap insurance, beat replacing a transmission.

which model did you go with? Do you have a tranny temp sensor on it? I heard you can over-cool your tranny and I don't want to do that either.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Looks like it's going to be a busy week before FYTO. Thanks Kurt!

 

[RogueJeepr]

Nice.

 

[TJDukit]

Awesome.

 

[STAG]

You don't have the arrows up! That's freakin sweet I am jealous!

 

[sixstringsteve]

You don't have the arrows up! That's freakin sweet I am jealous!

Now I have somewhere to sleep instead of the couch this month.


Are you jealous enough to help me bend up some tube to mount it in my bed?

 

[sixstringsteve]

I dropped the gears, front ARB, diffs, and install kit off at sixstates today. I should have the gears back by Friday night, which means I can drive it out of the garage on Saturday!

 

[Max Power]

That tent is money well spent.

Do you think a tranny cooler will give you enough longevity out of your transmission to make it worth it. I would rather find a good deal on a lower mileage transmission and throw that in if reliability is what you are going for.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Currently I don't have any tranny issues. When crawling or towing or hauling heavy loads, the trannies get warm. I'd like to mitigate that, plus I"d like a radiator that doesn't hang down so much. The only way to remedy that is with a standalone cooler.

 

[Max Power]

I see. I was thinking it was because you didn't trust you transmission.

 

[STAG]

Now I have somewhere to sleep instead of the couch this month.


Are you jealous enough to help me bend up some tube to mount it in my bed?

yeah I most surely can help out! Run your ideas by me!

 

[dutchman]

which model did you go with? Do you have a tranny temp sensor on it? I heard you can over-cool your tranny and I don't want to do that either.

I went with a B&M, don't remember the model number off the top of my head. I don't have a sensor, but a scan gauge will read the temp if you've got one.

If you're worried about the current state of your tranny with the mileage on it it'd be better to get a new one. The external cooler is only to prevent your engine coolant from mixing with the tranny fluid. Not sure about Tacomas, but in the 4runners the radiator/ tranny cooler tend to fail and the fluids will mix and that ruins your tranny. Known as the pink/ strawberry milkshake problem.

 

[TRD270]

:thumbs: Nice score on the tent

 

[jentzschman]

Sweet, you got a rtt! That is so awesome steve! Cant wait to see it!

 

[sixstringsteve]

Thanks guys. I'm super excited. I think it'll get a lot of use this next year.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I went with a B&M, don't remember the model number off the top of my head. I don't have a sensor, but a scan gauge will read the temp if you've got one.

If you're worried about the current state of your tranny with the mileage on it it'd be better to get a new one. The external cooler is only to prevent your engine coolant from mixing with the tranny fluid. Not sure about Tacomas, but in the 4runners the radiator/ tranny cooler tend to fail and the fluids will mix and that ruins your tranny. Known as the pink/ strawberry milkshake problem.

My tyranny is great, super healthy
Id like yo avoid the pink milkshake and also Gain some ground clearance and protection by switching to a 5 speed radiator.

 

[zukijames]

steve i think the 5 speed radiator for what you want is a no brainer.. as long as the new tranny cooler you run is up for the job