I'm new here, but I've enjoyed reading some of your posts. Ok, I've searched threads 'til I'm blue in the face and haven't found the answer. I just bought a beautiful low mileage '08 Supercrew Lariat 2wd without towing package. It obviously has a transmission cooler, although the 2008 brochure has the below information.

"Trailer Tow Package (required for towing over 5000 lbs.) — Includes
Class IV frame-mounted trailer hitch receiver, 7-pin wiring harness,
upgraded radiator and auxiliary transmission oil cooler (optional heavy-duty
72-amp.-hr. battery)"

Are there two transmission coolers? I can only find one stock cooler when doing a part search (well, actually an A and a B version that cross reference to the same Dorman part). Did they just decide to put it on all of them after printing the brochure, or did all the 5.4s get it? Also, how do I know if I have the bigger radiator too?

While I don't forsee towing over 5000lbs on a regular basis in the near future, I'd like to know where I stand, and if there's a bigger stock cooler out there that could potentially extend the life of the transmission. My boat is only about 2500 and my dad has one that may go 4000+ I could occasionally pull now that I have something that will handle it. It's a 2-1/2 hour trip that I make regularly. This is primarily what I bought the truck for (not enough seats in my S-10 ZR-2). My towing will be relatively flat highway. Thanks for your help.

 

I suppose this could be some of the answer. Found in the 2008 towing guide. If there is a 4-channel and a 9-channel, I sure can't find the part numbers unless that's the difference between 6L3Z-7A095-B and 6L3Z-7A095-A.

w/o towing package - (f) 4-channel with 4.6L/5.4L engine.
with towing package - (g) 4-channel with 4.2L engine; 9-channel with 4.6L/5.4L engine.

 

The tranny cooler is that giant thing in front of the radiator when you pop the hood. Your truck is more than capable of towing the 4K pound rig even without the aux tranny cooler. I'm sure you'll be fine.

 

I wouldn't call it giant. It's only 2-1/2" x 23". The one I have looks like a 4-channel. The air-conditioner condenser is right in front of the radiator (same height and width as radiator). The transmission cooler is in front of that and at the very bottom. Anyway, if there is a 9-channel, I wouldn't mind replacing mine. The S-10 got a new tranny at 94,000, and I don't want a repeat.

 

My 07 has the trailer package includede and a 9 channel / path transmission fluid cooler in front of the radiator like this one below (but my truck is red and does not have the pushbar).

https://www.f150online.com/forums/tr...-capacity.html



There is also a 14 channel one that was used in some SD trucks.

 

@ben, I was just using the word "giant" in reference to the size of it compared to most components under the hood. It's hard to miss the tranny cooler like the one in tbear's pic. Before you go looking at new tranny coolers, I'd get a Gryphon or other programmer with the ability to monitor the transmission fluid temperature. That way you could establish a baseline and see if the towing even makes much of an increase in temperature to warrant a larger cooler.

 

Yeah, I think I might like to upgrade to the 9-channel if it's a direct replacement. Tbear's is much bigger than what I've got.

 

There is also a 14 channel one that was used in some SD trucks.[/QUOTE]

Will this 14 channel direct replace with my stock 9 in my 05 F150? The factory one with my tow pakage isn't big enough. Is there a bigger aftermarket one that ia direct replacement?

 

What makes you think the 9-channel cooler isn't enough?! I think if you are having transmission problems, the aux tranny cooler isn't likely your problem. You trying to answer a problem that hasn't occurred? The only reason I ask is that unless you are towing weekly heavy loads (6K+ lbs) a considerable distance, I can't see any need for swapping to a larger cooler.

And yes, there are bigger cooler available aftermarket, but brackets would have to be fabbed for it, and possibly transmission lines depending on the input/output locations.

 

Anybody know the part number for the 9-channel?

 

[QUOTE=SoonerTruck;4785247]What makes you think the 9-channel cooler isn't enough?! I think if you are having transmission problems, the aux tranny cooler isn't likely your problem. You trying to answer a problem that hasn't occurred? The only reason I ask is that unless you are towing weekly heavy loads (6K+ lbs) a considerable distance, I can't see any need for swapping to a larger cooler.

And yes, there are bigger cooler available aftermarket, but brackets would have to be fabbed for it, and possibly transmission lines depending on the input/output locations.[/Quote

My tranny work fine just is heating up towing my enclosed sled trailer up the mountains or my camp trailer up mountains. Have had tranny flushed and checked and was told it was fine. My edge says I'm hitting 220-234 when pulling up steep grades.Normal driving around its running around 150

 

Send me your factory 9-channel when you upgrade.