[richvacruiser]

Hi Guys,

I took my "new" FJ62 for its first road trip this weekend. It was about a two hour drive on a 90 degree+ day. The auto transmittion gear shift box (on the floorboard where your Park, Drive, Reverse, etc options are) got really hot to the touch. It was so hot that you could only keep your hand on it for a few seconds. Is this something thats pretty normal for 62s or something I should look into?

Thanks!

[Clack]

Do a search and you'll find that you need to and have detailed instructions on how to:

Drain, rodney flush, and refill with Dex 6. Install the aux transimssion fluid cooler when you do this. The small b&m one per the faq works great.

Adjust the throttle cable so there's no slack, then the transmission kickdown cable so there's no slack.

Feel better that you're less likely to blow the super expensive to fix transmission.

[Bryan062087]

Definitely check the condition of the ATF fluid. Make sure it smells fresh and is not burned. Should be pink to light red color. If fluid is not in good shape, do a "rodney flush." If its good shape, but you think you may want to change it. I would just do drain and fills every oil change until you get all new fluid.

I think the heat you may be feeling could be from the exhaust rather the the transmission. On the 62, the exhaust is routed very close to that area and the heat could penetrate the shifter base easily. At least this seems like a logical explanation.

Also, definitely get an external transmission cooler if you do not have one. Think about adding a temp gauge as well. Or at least make sure the ATF light on the shifter base lights up when you have the key on.

IMO These transmissions are tougher than they are sometimes made out to be on these forums. Good luck.

[Michael Hanson]

I would pull pan ,clean filter and flush system system until clean. 2 cents Mike

[Richmond]

In my experience it will stay roughly ambient temperature at highway speeds unless you happen to have the thermostat over in the hot position. I noticed this last time I went on a long drive earlier this spring that if it was set to the hot side that the transmission tunnel tended to get hotter, while if it was set to cold then it would go down to roughly ambient temperature, plus a few degrees or so. Just my 2 cents

[brazier]

I too have the same heat. I also believe that it is the exhaust mainly the cat that is right near the trans hump. My heat shield has rusted away and that is where the heat is coming from. The suggestions of add a tranny cooler and changing the fluid should be heeded especially in a new to you cruiser.

[billmc]

It's not the exhaust. You need to change out your ATF and maybe put in a cooler. Also, long drives, especially hilly ones or otherwise under load, where you can't get your speed high enough to have the TC lock up (~52 mph) will generate lots of heat quickly with old ATF. Best to change it every 2 years. Also, when you flush it be sure to measure the rate of flow through the cooler lines to make sure you don't have some blockage.

Bill

[mkguyvr]

Mine gets hot too.I have a large trans cooler which i would get without hesitation, there are two cats down there plus alot of the engine heat is disapated through the transmission since the housing is aluminum it acts as a heat sink and if you ever get under there and feal the trans after highway driving it along with the transfer case just radiates heat.