Towing experience
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interested in your experience. I have a 2012 premium but will doing an airbag delete with lift and adding weight with armor (bumpers/winch/skid). I would be looking for a trailer more in mid 3,500 lb (or less)...but I live in Colorado so the passes here are brutal. I may look at re-gearing (and locker at the same time). I am hopeful to add airbags and using the existing pump from adjustable suspension (I have been told it possible). Weight distribution hitch seems to be very helpful as well. watching this thread. thanks
We have VB and torque converter lock up kit for the GX 460 and my truck has both, also getting a WAT HD cooler in February.. 
The GX has small cooler that is on top of the a/c cooler. If you don't follow the lines from the transmission you dont even know is there.
I am pretty sure that Toyota designed them this way with a scope. Maybe to heat the transmission coolant faster in winter or other justifiable reason ?.
In summer I tow a Kubota Mx 5100 with 700lbs suitcase in the front and 84" BushHog All together about 5000lbs on top of an Aluma dual axle, about 1600lbs.
This is pretty close to max towing and I can tell you that was not doing a good job at all.
First time I towed, within 30 minutes and few hills the trans idiot light came on I had to pull over. Thank God I was less then a mile from home, I put it in Low , shut the A/C off, the light went off and I made it home safe.
I was expected that the fan would come on and prevent this from happening but the fan came on latter when I was going up a small hill. Most likely triggered by the engine coolant temp and not the transmission coolant temp.
I went ahead and installed a separate cooling with fan and thermostat right after it comes out of the oem radiator.
Based on the info the fan should start around 190 and shut down at 170 degree or so.
Frankly I never heard the fan working since and I did towed exactly the same weight multiple times.
In your case the weight is less then what I tow but is the wall that you are trying to push down the highway that is going to kill the transmission. I would strongly suggest an upgrade and above all, a good few hours test before you start the long trip.
You can buy a good transmission cooler for $200-300 and maybe one hour for installation.
Ward is offering the Cake and the Cherry. If money is no object ?, hell go for it.
I am pretty sure that Toyota designed them this way with a scope. Maybe to heat the transmission coolant faster in winter or other justifiable reason ?.
In summer I tow a Kubota Mx 5100 with 700lbs suitcase in the front and 84" BushHog All together about 5000lbs on top of an Aluma dual axle, about 1600lbs.
This is pretty close to max towing and I can tell you that was not doing a good job at all.
First time I towed, within 30 minutes and few hills the trans idiot light came on I had to pull over. Thank God I was less then a mile from home, I put it in Low , shut the A/C off, the light went off and I made it home safe.
I was expected that the fan would come on and prevent this from happening but the fan came on latter when I was going up a small hill. Most likely triggered by the engine coolant temp and not the transmission coolant temp.
I went ahead and installed a separate cooling with fan and thermostat right after it comes out of the oem radiator.
Based on the info the fan should start around 190 and shut down at 170 degree or so.
Frankly I never heard the fan working since and I did towed exactly the same weight multiple times.
In your case the weight is less then what I tow but is the wall that you are trying to push down the highway that is going to kill the transmission. I would strongly suggest an upgrade and above all, a good few hours test before you start the long trip.
You can buy a good transmission cooler for $200-300 and maybe one hour for installation.
Ward is offering the Cake and the Cherry. If money is no object ?, hell go for it.
IMHO, money is always an object
Just a question on what ya spend it on. Early and regular transmission maintenance is a good idea - fludis, flush, etc. - followed by a high capacity aux cooler. Cheap? No. Smart? Yes.Your transmission and your budget will thank you over time.
Does this fit a 200?We have VB and torque converter lock up kit for the GX 460 and my truck has both, also getting a WAT HD cooler in February..
Georg Esterer @orangefj45 can supply a kit for the 200s.
orangefj45
Supporting Vendor
As Ward mentioned, we will be able to supply the kits soon...…
We just received our first shipment of WAT trans cooler kits. Currently we're shipping a few out to friends/customers for beta testing and we're installing a few here at the shop. So far we have units for the FJC, GX460, GX470, 200-series and Tundra. We're also working on trans cooler kits for Tacos, 4-runners and other applications.
Once we've installed a few and have been able to confirm that the kits are suitable for the domestic market vehicles, we will make them available to everybody.
If you're interested, feel free to get in touch with us at:
info@cruiserbrothers.com
and we will make sure to get back to you once the kits applicable for your vehicle is available.
Georg @ Valley Hybrids & Cruiser Brothers
We just received our first shipment of WAT trans cooler kits. Currently we're shipping a few out to friends/customers for beta testing and we're installing a few here at the shop. So far we have units for the FJC, GX460, GX470, 200-series and Tundra. We're also working on trans cooler kits for Tacos, 4-runners and other applications.
Once we've installed a few and have been able to confirm that the kits are suitable for the domestic market vehicles, we will make them available to everybody.
If you're interested, feel free to get in touch with us at:
info@cruiserbrothers.com
and we will make sure to get back to you once the kits applicable for your vehicle is available.
Georg @ Valley Hybrids & Cruiser Brothers
Replied!
Exciting times.
Thanks for being the US distributor.
It was a challenge dealing with Rodney directly when I bought the valve body for my 62.
The GX that I have have two radiators. The main radiator that is cooling the engine and another smaller one in the front of that
The smaller one is been used by the a/c mostly except the top 4" . That is where the lines form the transmission thermostat are running once the thermostat opens. This is based on what Toyota tech told me.
Based on what you say, Canada gets an additional, separate radiator ?. Then maybe there you have a towing option that we don't have here ?.
Can you elaborate a little about liquid cooled ?
When we installed the additional transmission cooler, the (Toyota) tech installed it in line with the lines that are going in and out of that upper part of the radiator.
Thank you
The smaller one is been used by the a/c mostly except the top 4" . That is where the lines form the transmission thermostat are running once the thermostat opens. This is based on what Toyota tech told me.
Based on what you say, Canada gets an additional, separate radiator ?. Then maybe there you have a towing option that we don't have here ?.
Can you elaborate a little about liquid cooled ?
When we installed the additional transmission cooler, the (Toyota) tech installed it in line with the lines that are going in and out of that upper part of the radiator.
Thank you
I wonder why Toyota thinks that Canadian need an additional cooler but not in USA.
I overheated before I had the aftermarket installed. Never after. I am really interested how you can keep an eye on the transmission with the phone. Is there an app ?
Thank you for the info.
I overheated before I had the aftermarket installed. Never after. I am really interested how you can keep an eye on the transmission with the phone. Is there an app ?
Thank you for the info.
I have to look at it. I installed it more then a year ago. I am pretty sure is an Derale or B&M.
Ohh men , that would be good if I could keep an eye on the Pan temp when I tow.
Really appreciate the help.
OP
Sorry for crowding. Hope this helps you also.
Ohh men , that would be good if I could keep an eye on the Pan temp when I tow.
Really appreciate the help.
OP
Sorry for crowding. Hope this helps you also.
