First tow

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Traveler

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
May 5, 2019
Posts
100
Reaction score
32
Location
Mesa AZ
When I prepped my old Explorer for towing (and AZ weather) I found a big transmission cooler from an F-350 and installed that, bypassing the radiator altogether. Works great.

Sent from my LML413DL using Tapatalk
 
OP
OP
H

HavasuMike

Full Access Members
Joined
Jan 25, 2018
Posts
102
Reaction score
19
Location
Lake Havasu City, AZ
If installing the transmission cooler and not a new radiator, is it a lot easier than upgrading both? The video I watched seemed pretty involved. It didn't seem that difficult, but a lot of items had to be removed or moved out of the way. I can follow instructions but I'm definitely not a mechanic.
 

Traveler

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
May 5, 2019
Posts
100
Reaction score
32
Location
Mesa AZ
...I can follow instructions but I'm definitely not a mechanic.

If thats the case it'd be best if you got one that was a bolt-in install made for the Expedition. I had to do some fabricating to get the big F-350 cooler to fit in the Explorer. Also if you live in an area with cold winter's it's best to keep the fluid running through the radiator in addition to the cooler. It helps warm the transmission fluid up to operating temps. I live in Mesa AZ so "warming up" isnt an issue. LoL

Sent from my LML413DL using Tapatalk
 

JExpedition07

That One Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 30, 2017
Posts
6,509
Reaction score
3,119
Location
New York
The auxiliary cooler is easy to add if yours is the same as the 5.4L Triton models because the standard was a 4 row.....the 7 row can go right in its place. I’ll try and post a pic of mine and how it’s in there.

310E5AA6-65B1-43B2-93CA-72153BEFDA03.jpeg
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
H

HavasuMike

Full Access Members
Joined
Jan 25, 2018
Posts
102
Reaction score
19
Location
Lake Havasu City, AZ
The mounts look the same, but I don't have either cooler. I have the tow prep package but the build list specifies "delete transmission cooler". Not exactly sure what tow prep means.
I'm in Lake Havasu, so it's about the same as Mesa. I figure that if you have to remove the same stuff to do the transmission cooler, I might as well put in the bigger radiator at the same time. It's not that expensive.
 

JohnnyFort

Member
Joined
May 24, 2018
Posts
13
Reaction score
3
Location
Sherbrooke,QC,Canada
Just did 1600 miles towing my 7600lbs travel trailer with the cuise set to 72 in very hot weather from canada to PA. When through the adirondack mountains and the trans temp stayed between 200 and 210. I do have HD towing package on my '17 Max (EL).
 
Top