Transmission Cooler Upgrade

[Geargambler]

For our 2012 expedition limited, we removed the ford Factory (Limited is HD) cooler and added a dorman replacement. It fit perfectly, and added an additional fin / row (or two?), so its slightly bigger than stock. Here's the part number if anyone is interested. I think I may still have the stock cooler somewhere if anyone is interested. I just need to look for it.

DORMAN 918234

Link to the write up, which is upgrading from a non-HD cooler to the dorman unit: https://www.fordraptorforum.com/threads/upgrading-stock-oem-trans-cooler.16255/page-10#post759761

Hope this helps!

 

[Trainmaster]

Does Dorman make anything that's "heavy duty"? I thought all their junk was from China.

 

[Geargambler]

Compared to the aux trans cooler that comes on any truck without the HD towing package, its certainly heavy duty.

I've used plenty of Dorman parts over the years. I'm just saying - if you can't get your hands on a stock trans cooler, then the Dorman offers one that has an additional fin or two. Its not that expensive, and works just like stock. Worked for me for 11k miles before I traded the truck in.

And that write up on the Raptor Forum is pretty decent.

 

[Trainmaster]

Gear, thanks for passing along that Raptor write-up. And good to hear that Dorman thing held up too.

 

[1955moose]

I was kinda thinking the same thing when I read Dorman. Maybe this part is one of their lineup that lasts. 11 k is not that long, does anyone have a long term report that we can recommend to others?

Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk

 

[JExpedition07]

Does Dorman make anything that's "heavy duty"? I thought all their junk was from China.

Not everything, depends on the part and if it’s budget line or premium. I replaced both my hub actuators with NAPA solutions (their good line). Peeled the Napa sticker to find a Dorman sticker behind it, both the Napa and Dorman stickers read Made in USA. I have a hunch WARN makes the better actuators for Dorman......that being because on the casting of both actuators reads “WARN.COM”. Seemed to be of good quality when I installed and they’ve been in about 2 weeks?

 

[1955moose]

I didn't know they made premium line for Napa. I've had good luck with Napa's good stuff. I used to have a parts/ machine shop that I used regularly on customer cars years back when I wrenched mobile. Stuff held up, very few come backs.

Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk

 

[1997SCEBFEX]

also curious what/how it performed under the stresses of towing.
albeit a GEN 1, still have the stock cooler on mine, but added the oversized trans pan.
thanks.

 

[johnboneske]

I have the larger factory cooler, is that Dorman bigger or the same size on my 2003? The hottest I have seen on temps towing is 193°, one time this past summer when it was about 95° outside, towing to the campground. I am thinking 193 is just fine...

 

[karisk12]

Hi. I'm interested in your factory oil cooler. Please let me know how much you'd want for it shipped to 90045. Thanks.

 

[ExplorerTom]

Seems like a lot of work for a minimal size upgrade. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about transmission coolers, it’s that bigger is better.

https://www.expeditionforum.com/posts/307871/

 

[karisk12]

Hi. I'm in the same boat. 2017 Expedition with std tow package. I ordered the 7 pin plug mounting bracket and wire harness. It will be easy to get lights and brakes for my trailer. I'm not finding any easy to follow instructions on adding power and reverse lights. Any help would be appreciated. Also I bought a B&M 70268 tranny oil cooler that I will install. If anyone has good photos of the factory lines that ID which is the return line I'd love to see it.

 

[karisk12]

I was able to determine the return tube is the one on the top of the cooler.

 

[adamsdaddy]

If you search my posts, including the one about two weeks ago, you’ll see my steps on adding power and a 3rd party brake controller.

The B&M cooler - does it fit in the same exact spot as the Ford cooler? I’d have attempted adding a cooler but the Ford tubes take some special release tool that I’ve not been motivated to order.

I installed a tranny cooler on a 2007 Honda Odyssey but there were lots of videos and how tos on YouTube etc. I haven’t found anything similar for the Expedition.

In 98-105 degree temps, I hit 238 degrees while pulling a 3,500 lb trailer so I need to get it done.

 

[adamsdaddy]

Here:

https://www.expeditionforum.com/threads/help-adding-7-pin-to-‘17-xlt-4x4.38806/page-4#post-339916

 

[karisk12]

I got delayed this weekend since I needed to use the Expy yesterday. I didn't want to get in the middle of the install and run into an unknown issue. The cooler I bought does not fit the oem mount. It does hook into the return tube which appears to be a rubber hose fastened to the top of the radiator with a normal clamp. The funky connections are on the lines that are under the radiator. I'll update as I go unless someone more experienced weighs in. Looking forward to the link you sent. Thanks.

 

[karisk12]

Thanks, adamsdaddy! I reviewed the link and all of the related links. I looked at the connector under the hood on the driver's side on top of the wheel well near the firewall. I looked at my Ford Wiring Diagrams book. My connector has the 10 gauge orange wire going in and nothing coming out the back. I confirmed it is pin 15 in connector C139 in circuit CAT14. According to my book the missing wire is a 6 gauge orange wire that goes to the 7 pin plug I will install on the hitch. One thing I'm not sure of is if the pin I need is male or female, since I have no clue how to pull it apart, and if I should go 6 or 10 gauge.

 

[adamsdaddy]

I was too chicken to figure out how to insert a pin so I used a Posi-Tap connector to tap into the orange wire. Search posi tap on Amazon. I used a 10 gauge wire which I then wrapped in the black plastic casing. Inserting it into the casing was a tad hard on my “office boy” fingers.

Let me know if you have any questions but I promise it is very easy to do on the Expy with the ground clearance to slide under the vehicle.

I’m waiting on you for tips and tricks for the tranny installation.

 

[karisk12]

I finally got the B&M cooler installed. The factory return line is a 1/2 inch ID hose connected with a normal clamp to the top of the cooler mounted in the radiator. The aftermarket cooler came with 2 options for hardware but didn't include 1/2 inch hose fittings so I had to spend another $23 at a hardware store and cut the rubber return hose. Not what I was expecting but it works fine. I had to buy fittings to step down the 1/2 inch hose to 3/8 inch for the hoses going to and from the B&M cooler. Removing the front bumper cover was not difficult. The next time will be much easier. I didn't find the 2 lower push pins until all other fasteners were removed and pulling the cover forward. They fasten the bottom of the cover to the back of the actual bumper. I also had to remove the support piece going across the top of the radiator to get enough space between the radiator and a/c condensor to use the supplied mounting parts. All in all about 4 hours work not counting trip to the hardware store. The factory aux cooler option would have cost about 3 times more but only taken about 2 hours. I just received my factory in dash controller. Next I will need to figure out how to get Forscan to activate the towing display. Any tips there?
I also used positaps for the 12v wire and the reverse wire at connector 139. Will be checking all that out once I get the software modified.

 

[Iamsam1117]

Keep in mind saying something has more fins or is bigger doesn't always mean more efficiency... Coming from the air conditioning world we talk could and heat transfer like most people live and breath. Material used for the fins makes big differences, size of lines running through, and depth of lines. I have a feeling that even though the new one is larger it has the same or possibly lower efficiency but must be larger due to cheaper materials and less efficient heat transfer.