2024 Tacoma Transmission Overheating on Long Climbs Off-Road

[BAQ717]

The transmission slips like a MOFO in a way that the speed climbs but not the revs... that has to generate heat...

That’s just the low down torque, especially on a hybrid

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[james cole]

That’s just the low down torque, especially on a hybrid

If the revs are not climbing and the speed is increasing something is slipping...

It even rhymes...

 

[HoptownBob]

Just found this on another Forum

Thread 'SXTH Element Intercooler Upgrade'

We're working on a new intercooler upgrade for the 4th gen Tacoma, and it's shaping up to be a solid improvement over the factory unit. The core features more charge air rows for better thermal efficiency, and we're using cast aluminum end tanks for improved strength and flow characteristics.

Lower intake air temperatures during high-stress conditions are the main goal here. As most know, once IATs rise past a certain point, the ECU begins pulling timing and boost to protect the engine, which means power drops off. This setup is designed to delay that threshold and keep performance consistent for longer periods.

The prototype is already in development. We're currently testing with 3D printed aluminum-magnesium end tanks to validate fitment and flow. Once we have it on the truck, we'll be posting dyno and temperature data so everyone can see the actual performance difference.

If you're pushing your Tacoma hard or live somewhere hot, this will be worth watching.

Check out our site in the meantime - https://sxthelement.com/
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[LincolnSixAlpha]

Lets face it the manufacturers make automobiles to be obsolete as soon as possible. Why do you think your plopping down $1300 for a new washer, and another $900 or so for a new dryer every 4 or 5 years, or perhaps less in some cases. Granted, I'm not hating on my truck at all, but in Toyota's case I think their primary drive is to cut costs anywhere and everywhere they can. I believe they wanna make things that last. The other manufacturers -- well, look @ GM which I was a fan of for many years. Seems like they are just making pretty (love the interiors) garbage that is a crap shoot if you'll make it to the powertrain warranty expiration.

Honestly if my ass could be transported back to '84 when I was 15 I'd do it in a heartbeat.

 

[Bcphoto3]

Had not heard of this until a couple of days ago and then expereinced myself. Had pulled Overland trailer (3500#) from Durango to Montrose on road. Fueled up in Montrose then went 12 miles outside of town to BLM dispersed camping . Trying to back trailer into spot (slight grad but less than 30 feet and dirt road), all of a sudden lost power and had warning come on. 1500 miles from home and still another 12 days of travelling.. Frustrated.. This vehicle should be built to take more than that,,

 

[wutheck]

Same overheating problem with my 24 Sport climbing a 3000' grade on a rough gravel road. Solved it by changing over to 4 low.

 

[307Taco]

I took my new 2025 Off Road out to the mountains for the first time today and decided to see how mine would behave, after reading this thread. While climbing steep terrain in 4 high I watched my transmission temp start to climb as well. I never let it get too high to overheat, I stopped and switched to 4low and the transmission temp came back down as I continued to climb. Odd these transmissions get so hot so fast while in 4 high…

 

[BAQ717]

I wonder if Toyota will address this. I haven’t personally experienced it yet but it seems pretty common from reading this forum lately. You would think these issues would have come up in their R&D..

 

[grizzlyoutlaw]

Did the same climb. Significantly less weight. I stayed in 2wd for a lot more of the climb and found 4lo to be too damn slow. Still bumped up against the red on transmission gauge and stopped to cool down a few times. I am OTT tuned and running heavy 34” C rated tires. A bit annoying but chose a Toyota for the aftermarket parts support that will be coming.

 

[scottiev]

I wonder if it is a combination of the increased torque down low and the automatic not locking up due to whatever the computer decides. I have the 6MT so whenever I have obstacles / anything more than a mild climb I'm in 4LO anyway.

Good point. They may be over-taxing the automatic in 4 HI on steep terrain.

 

[scottiev]

Did the same climb. Significantly less weight. I stayed in 2wd for a lot more of the climb and found 4lo to be too damn slow. Still bumped up against the red on transmission gauge and stopped to cool down a few times. I am OTT tuned and running heavy 34” C rated tires. A bit annoying but chose a Toyota for the aftermarket parts support that will be coming.

Nice shot.

You're causing your drivetrain more stress by using 2Hi instead of 4. That's going to hit your torque converter a lot, and all that excess energy is going to heat. And the upsized tires don't help. Use 4Hi or 4Low.

 

[Tristan2020]

I had this issue last summer, never got an alert or had the truck put itself into limp mode but I did stop twice to let it cool. On my next outing, I tried using the “manual” mode to hold gears and shift as needed, instead of letting the truck automatically shift.

This seemed to help, although the weather was MUCH cooler that day, and I was carrying less weight, so not exactly a scientific study. But it made sense in my head… try and alleviate some of the strain on the transmission by manually keeping it in a given gear depending on my speed, only shifting up/down as needed. Will try again if I find myself in a similar situation and report back

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