Best auxiliary trans cooler for a JDM HDJ81 (A442F) — proven setups only

[Rob RNPEW]

Hi guys,


Got a JDM HDJ81, 1HD-FT with the A442F, and no trans cooler on it at all. Fine here, but it'll be crawling along loaded in Sahara sand and I'd rather sort it properly than cook the box out there.


I'd really rather learn from people who've run one hard than pick something off a shelf and hope. So if you've fitted one — what did you go for, where did you mount it, and would you do the same again? Any pictures or hard-won advice very welcome.


Thanks in advance, appreciate the help.

 

[Fj80oregon]

I think you will be fine, but if you wanted you could find a us spec 80 cooler and install it. If you looked in the parting out section I’m sure you could find the parts. I might have a complete set up but would have some digging to do. I think @Cruisers and Co sells a trans cooler set up for there turbos that they might sell separately.

 

[StuCruiser]

Same model here.
One common option down here is something from the Davies Craig range, the bigger the better.

Transmission Oil Cooler 30 Plate Hydra (#679)

Maximum transmission cooling with the Davies Craig Hydra-Cool® 30 Plate Oil Cooler. Heavy-duty plate & fin design for 4WD, towing, commercial and motorsport vehicles.

daviescraig.com.au

You remove the oil pipes that currently go to the bottom of the radiator and attach them to this, or you can plumb both rad and cooler in parallel if you prefer to keep the oil going through the radiator. Work well. The only thing I don’t like it the way they’re mounted but you could make brackets if you prefer. I couldn’t get the fan option to fit (I had one off a 95 Prado but not enough space).
I would strongly suggest you install a temp gauge at the same time. I use auberins gauges which I make use of a buzzer to alarm me at a preset temp, say 120 deg c
Another option is a lockup kit (purchase or DIY) as it’s the slip in the TC that causes all the heat.

 

[ToyotaTechnical]

What's your space constraints out font? Let measurements dictate.

I have retro fitted factory coolers before. Also done rear mounted coolers where front is jammed with stuff like intercooler, winch, aux fans, etc

Clean and healthy fluid is one of the best ways to drop trans temps. Full synthetic with aux filtration can drop your temps 30 degrees or more. Rodney Passive flush.

Here is a rear mounted E fan set up I did on a FTE: