parker.rowe wrote:
It looks like the radiator dimensions are the same...might want to investigate just adding an external transmission cooler. If you go the the factory internal trans cooler, you can probably get the factory lines from toyota. It will cost more though.
Not sure how hard the oil cooler will be. Me, I would skip it. But if it is easy to add go for it. Are you sure it had one as part of the tow package?
Well based in the product's brochure, Toyota indicates that the "Trail" model comes with a tow package good for 3500 pounds and including an "upgraded" radiator (exact words they used), an engine oil and transmission cooler. This is exactly what the brochure said. Now you are right, the radiator dimensions are exactly the same on RockAuto, except that the "HD radiator" is indicated with a built-in oil cooler, where the non-HD don't have oil cooler.
parker.rowe wrote:
Funny you should say that...actually, that depends on the year. For quite a few trucks, the only difference between the 2500/250 and the 3500/350 was the weight sticker and some overload springs
Yes, I also heard that often too! Back several years ago, in the late-90's or in the early-00's, I remember my father paying a few bucks to "upgrade" a 2500 pickup truck to 3500 just by replacing rear leaf spring suspension for a few bucks, then increase a lot the box load capacity. So it makes me feel like sometime the towing or the payload capacity is only a matter of a different sticker inside the door.
By the way I just see by yesterday that Firestone Suspension Company is featuring a vehicle-specific rear air suspension helper for the Toyota RAV4 4WD. Adding air suspension helper are not increasing payload capacity properly speaking (as well), but it'll surely prevent any sagging, bouncing and also any possible "instability" for only a few bucks. Installation on this vehicle is 100% plug & play and drill-less.
