Wanting to add a tranny cooler

[GaExpedition]

I THINK I've narrowed down my search to a cooler like the one pictured. I say "think" because my "wants" were:

1 - I can mount it to frame of truck instead of just thru radiator with clips that may rub and cause a leak.

2 - It has a fair sized cooling area.

3- no electric fan needed

4 - comes as a kit to plumb it in

I don't tow anything heavier than a 15' fiberglass boat or a 12' popup camper, and that's only on occasion. The cooler is basically just for extra cooling protection for the tranny. Any thoughts on this type?, and any photos of your installations would be great to see if you have any. Any do's or dont's? I had the plastic cover off the top of the radiator area over the weekend because I was painting the grill insert, and there is a nice flat area just behind the condenser, and it could hang in front of the radiator to get good air flow. Anyone see any reason that wouldn't be a good place for it?

 

[stamp11127]

You really won't know how effective it is until you get trans fluid temps while towing. I got my cooler from Pull-A-Part off a wrecked F series - stock factory unit. I do some towing now and then, main reason was to separate the trans cooling from the engine cooling. If it doesn't have a thermostat it may over cool in winter, just something to keep in mind.

 

[KWT2000]

i suggest a trans cooler from a 6.0 powerstroke

 

[Jay87LX]

i suggest a trans cooler from a 6.0 powerstroke

I think they are all the same from that era- F250-350 gas or diesel, 6.0 or 7.3
They are close to $200 now so unless you can find one out of a wrecked truck you can find a decent aftermarket much less expensive

 

[KWT2000]

I think they are all the same from that era- F250-350 gas or diesel, 6.0 or 7.3
They are close to $200 now so unless you can find one out of a wrecked truck you can find a decent aftermarket much less expensive

i will post a pic up later but the 6.0 cooler is twice the size of the gas/7.3 cooler

 

[GaExpedition]

I keep getting confusing info.....Some say "the bigger the better", and others say "you don't want it to run too cool". At what temp is "too cool"? The winters here in Georgia are not very bad, but if I needed to, I could just swap it back to just the radiator over wintertime, and cap off the cooler to keep it clean for next summers use??? Also, since we are discussing temps, I guess I should get a temp gauge too so I will know what the temps actually are when towing, but I don't need anything real pricey, just something that will do the job, and not be an eye sore to mount somewhere.

 

[KWT2000]

as long as you keep the cooler in the radiator hooked up with what ever cooler you decide to go with it will be just fine..

here are a few pictures the 1st is a powerstoke 7.3 trans cooler (the little one) next to a powerstoke 6.0 trans cooler.

the 2nd is a 6.0 next to a 7.3 and a V10

 

[stamp11127]

I will give you a warning about using the internal trans cooler that is in the radiator. One disadvantage is if it leaks coolant into the trans line it takes the trans out. Had it happen on a rebuild that was 6 months old. I no longer use the internal coolers because of it.

 

[Expyguru]

I second that on the 6.0 cooler. Also from alabama here so I know it doesn't get cold enough to cause it to run to cool.