NewHilux.net

I know there are lots of threads about transmission coolers but very few photos or instructions.
Now most people will think this is a simple job and for most it is but hopefully it will help somebody.
I have fitted it up to my 2010 model SR5 D4D.
I started with purchasing this Davies Craig kit from SuperCheap for $139. The size I chose is 280mm x 200mm x 19mm. The one that does up to 4.2 litre engines.


I ventured over to Bunnings and purchased two lengths of aluminium stips, 20mm x 3mm x 1m long. You probably only need one length. I managed to bend up some brackets to suit and picked up holes or bolt holes with capsulated nuts already in them on both the radiator support and front apron panel.
These are the brackets I bent up.

And bent they look like this.

Scott


I first removed the horn bracket and grill. If you have an ARB bull bar and have the replacement grill bracket, best of luck getting your grill out with out breaking the plastic tabs off the grill. Anyway thats another problem to fix another day.
The left top bracket bolt hole is an 8 x 1.25mm thread that held the horn in. I replaced the bolt with one a bit longer. The bottom left hole is an existing hole in the apron panel. I used a 6 x 1mm bolt and nut to mount this. The right hand bracket top mount hole I picked up from an original bolt under the bonnet latch. I used a longer 6 x 1mm bolt and put a couple of washers for spacers underneath to space it out a bit. The bottom right hole on the apron panel is a capsulated nut inside the panel. The thread is a 6 x 1mm so a suitable bolt will screw straight in. Once the brackets are mounted you can place the cooler on the brackets and mark the holes. I removed the brackets, drilled the holes in them and refitted the brackets. Now in the kit you get some spongy pads to stop rubbing. They are sticky on one side so I drilled the centre holes out and stuck them to the brackets where the mounting bolts for the cooler will go through them. 4 x 6 x 1mm bolts, flat washers on both sides and nylock nuts to hold the cooler to the brackets with the spongy stuff as an insulator. Should look like this.
Top mounting holes and bolts.

Left hand bottom mounting holes.

Right hand bottom mounting hole.

I ended up drilling a hole in the left bracket to remount the horn. You are restricted as to the length of the wires. I might extend the wires tomorrow to remount it somewhere else but for now it will do.
End product looks like this. You can see there is at least a 2 to 3 inch gap between the cooler and the air conditioner condensor. This is done on purpose to let any heat dissipated from the cooler to evaporate and not put any excess heat directly onto the air conditioner condensor.

All that is left is running the hoses. I will do this tomorrow and update with more photos.
I will be removing the hose from the radiator on the drivers side as this is the inlet to the radiator. I will route the hose from the pipe coming from the transmission to the top inlet on the cooler. Then from the bottom outlet on the cooler I will run it back into the radiator.
Job done.
You could probably mount a larger cooler however I went with this size as I knew it would fit because I measured up the area prior to purchase.
Hopefully this may help others out.

good stuff champ!!!!

Iv been looking for places to mount mine. I didnt think in front was any good due to extra heat but now mentioned the gap i might follow suit.

May even add a small themo fan

Update?

Bump

I'm in the process of fitting a transmission cooler and was wondering if anyone can confirm if the drivers side oil hose on the radiator is the inlet.

From reading many previous threads, it seems that it is the drivers side but that was for hiluxes with the 4 speed tranny.

Mine is a 5 speed 2014 SR5...

Any hints on where to run the hoses would be great too!

Bought a auto transmission cooler for 09 diesel but i can't seem to find the instructions can someone let me know how it is plumbed as i am finding it hard to figure out where each pipe goes, if possible pictures will help.

Thanks

Have to ask why didn't you get it done at an auto specialist shop it's not that expensive? Walk in walk out job done [emoji736]

Cause I bought it online

Then take it to the auto specialist they know what to do

Tin on Prado Point make the brackets to bolt straight on the Hilux if it is a Davies Craig trans cooler.
they can be bought on Ebay from him as well.

From memory i think he has the instructions as well.

Not hard to fit, just slow and careful.
Make sure you have the right transmission oil for your vehicle.

Cheers
Charlie

It needs to be plumbed inline from the outlet of the standard cooler and then into the inlet of the transmission. I'm sure there's a thread on which pipe is the transmission in/out.

You can also plumb it before the standard cooler or parallel, but plumbing it after the standard cooler makes the most sense.

Since you will need to add more trans fluid in, you might as well do a flush.

Threads merged
The image you are seeking here:

Other handy links:
viewtopic.php?f=12&t=289&hilit=cooler

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=5430&hilit=cooler
viewtopic.php?f=12&t=5264&hilit=cooler

The Davies Craig cooler can be fitted either vertical or horizontal, it does not matter which way.
in my Prado it is horizontal, all works ok. That came from Davies Craig when I asked them that question.

hey matey, since photobucket is down, do you reckon you could email me some of the photos?

cheers

Just want to confirm for anyone still in doubt, as I wasn't 100% sure with the info I found, on the N70, 4 speed auto, the hose that comes from the transmission and into the radiator is on the drivers side of the vehicle.