Auto Trans gets HOT
 

Dear lovers of desolated places and such,

Reading the thread near by reminds me of the possible vulnerability of the AT of a 17 y.o. HDJ80 heavy loaded in pretty warm temperatures.

I don't wanna sound too picky, but many years working in the rain forest did teach me a well prepared vehicle can help you a lot.

Do you happen to know where can I find a A/T cooler for a HDJ 80? or the cost ? I don't find it in my country.

its relatively easy to install?

Being used to UK LR prices Toy parts even from the UK are another story.

Thanks a lot!

Hi. I fitted a Kenlowe oil cooler to my HDJ80 auto gerbox, very easy to fit and it cost me about £100 (I think?! It might have been a little more?) from Kenlowe.
Very good bit of kit.
Cheers,
Matt Savage

Matt, thanks for your answer. Could you please let me know where did you placed the Kenlowe rad ? Is the location of hoses delicate or too long ?

Sorry to bother, I don't want to place the hoses in the wrong place and then... find a serious over heat festival.

Sometimes I see threads where they say you got to offer something and not just asking. Well, I'm not young and quite ignorant so there is little Tech or Sahara advice I can give. However I realize I got quite some great advice from some of you out there and you guys are always welcome to some local wine-tasting in the farm's veranda in you way south.

Cheers !

Hi. I mounted it just behind the grille. The kit comes with a length of rubber pipe (to join to the existing metal oil cooler pipe) so you can mount it anywhere!

Cheers,
Matt

Thanks Matt, good to know is not too difficult to install. Now I just got to justify a bit the expense (s) to the Prime Minister, my wife.
I guess this cooler is a worth it investment for my 80. I got the feeling a HOT A.T. may be a weak point in the 80.

Is not it ? Considering that traveling solo (one vehicle) it's quite impossible avoiding being overloaded and also that we plan traveling in July, not the best time.

Thinking about preparations and preventions I remember now when 20 years a go, we were traveling the North American and Mexican deserts, (about the first time I fell in love with the Desert) with a ... regular (2WD) 1975 Dodge Dart. We were making an small film about the Desert which still is being shown. In that time, honestly, I did not even know that an engine needed oil, but with no maintenance at all, just lots of fuel, the Dodge was unbelievable going everywhere in those rocky pistes and mexican ueds during 3 months with just minor electrical problems. Now with a little more pesos in the pocket and kids waiting at home, preparations and preventions feel mandatory.

Regards.

Hi,

I found that driving in D (high range) in deep sand can heat the A.T. pretty fast, even with a transm. oil cooler fitted. Driving in 2 or L solves the problem. An A.T. oil temp. gauge is also a very useful and inexpensive piece of kit.

When you are in 'D' the torque converter won't fully lock up untill you get over 50mph. So if you are driving hard below this speed for a long time you should really select the gear you want to help keep the trans cool.
Cheers,
Matt

Agree
 

I found the same; if you stay in D in soft sand the AT can overheat, select 2 or even 1 and the overheating doesn't happen.

If you are going fast, over 50 kph, you can stay in D. Just change down if the its very soft and you start to slow down. Changing down also seems to give more traction in the very soft sand.