2024 Tacoma Transmission Overheating on Long Climbs Off-Road

[Muckle]

Happened again for me. This time I was towing a trailer across town.

I think the dust might be contributing to the temp buildup

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[BAQ717]

Happened again for me. This time I was towing a trailer across town.

Straight to the dealer!

 

[TacoFreak]

Straight to the dealer!

Who will probably not do anything!

 

[BAQ717]

Who will probably not do anything!

Sounds like that’s been the case huh. Hopefully more and more cases will create a red flag in Toyotas system and they’ll actually do something about it.

 

[Gunnison]

Happened again for me. This time I was towing a trailer across town.

ah! just across town, that's no good

 

[TacoFreak]

ah! just across town, that's no good

Exactly! That shows the problem to be a general transmission issue and not just when you are off road and in 4Hi. You also have to wonder why some trucks do this and others don't, since the engines and transmission are the same across all trims.

 

[Gunnison]

Exactly! That shows the problem to be a general transmission issue and not just when you are off road and in 4Hi. You also have to wonder why some trucks do this and others don't, since the engines and transmission are the same across all trims.

I was wondering this. If this occurs at slow speeds while towing I can see it happening. If it starts happening during regular city driving then I'd be even more concerned.

 

[grizzlyoutlaw]

I will mention this to the dealer on my next service since I am in the transmission TSB. But you know, thick tires and aftermarket tuning dont help my case.

ah! just across town, that's no good

To be fair. I was probably around 7000# and it didn’t happen until I was in 4wd back it up a gravel road. I think these trucks just have super low thresholds to prevent damage. My ram won’t do anything until metal starts flying.

 

[TacoFreak]

I think these trucks just have super low thresholds to prevent damage. My ram won’t do anything until metal starts flying.

The sad part for me is that Toyota trucks used to be the same way. I guess marketing overroad engineering to make Toyota trucks pretty and full of features, but not as durable as we have always expected.

 

[Lando]

The sad part for me is that Toyota trucks used to be the same way. I guess marketing overroad engineering to make Toyota trucks pretty and full of features, but not as durable as we have always expected.

This. Hits the mark on the head. Public wants electronic gizmos and city driving comfort, tiny beds so they can park it etc. because driving a truck is perceived as cool. Most 4x4’s do not go off road. Yes the old trucks were more durable and the new trucks are more comfortable and full of features for everyday use in the city.
Hence why Toyota has not seen much pushback on the trailer brake controller issue, most people don’t tow with their truck.

 

[Gfenza89]

Who will probably not do anything!

Bet your ass they won’t lol

 

[Gunnison]

This. Hits the mark on the head. Public wants electronic gizmos and city driving comfort, tiny beds so they can park it etc. because driving a truck is perceived as cool. Most 4x4’s do not go off road. Yes the old trucks were more durable and the new trucks are more comfortable and full of features for everyday use in the city.
Hence why Toyota has not seen much pushback on the trailer brake controller issue, most people don’t tow with their truck.

This is sadly true and unfortunate.

 

[Lando]

This is sadly true and unfortunate.

Agreed. 100!

 

[Gunnison]

Agreed. 100!

I mean why are there so many different trims now, if you can't make the three that are meant to go off-road go off-road.

 

[Don Hoe]

I'd be curious to know myself, but it appears to not have a trans-cooler. Again, I haven't been keeping up on stuff, but my last vehicle, '21 Silverado with the lovely self destructing 6.2 had the tow package, but no trans cooler. Prior to that a '20 Silverado with I-6 Baby Duramax, again with Tow package - no trans cooler.

Back in the day, I owned a '98 4Runner and I remember installing a trans cooler on it. I remember it because I made a mess in my garage with that red transmission fluid... Mine, back in the day didn't have a fan on it, so it cooled as you drove, of course. I see the ones today have fans that must cycle on on off as need be.

Anyhow, there appears to be some aftermarket options including Mishimoto, and some others on Summit Racing. Bet you could find some on eBay as well. Installation should be easy assuming you can get to the transmission hoses, and there's a place to mount the cooler.

Anyhow food for thought. I'm kinda curious myself. I'm not a fan of these "sealed" transmissions. To me, that fluid needs to be changed, and there's no such thing as 100k transmission fluid. A cool tranny is a happy tranny.

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