So I am ready to start towing an 18' center console boat. My Fx4 didn't come with the tow package, so I am a bit concerned with the transmission being over-worked. I am looking for a little advice on how to handle this issue - if it is even an issue to begin with. Moss has transmission coolers made by Permacool starting at about $45. I would prefer installing the factory transmission cooler, but I am afraid I might choke on my own tongue when I hear the price.

So... what are my options? Is this something I can do on my own (I did install my leveling kit, if that means anything)? Am I concerned about nothing? Aftermarket or factory? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

You definitely want to add a cooler. Most transmission failures occur due to heat. The B&M Hi-Tek coolers are designed using the same stacked plate principle that the OEM cooler uses. They also have a low pressure bypass feature that allows more fluid to flow to the transmission while it is getting up to operating temperature. I think you can add this on yourself as long as you keep the trans fluid from getting contaminated and read all of the instructions. You can find them at Jeg's and several other places.

 

stacked plates, and as large as you can fit

 

How does model #130-70266 (Racing Trans Cooler) in the link below sound?

http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerc...28&prmenbr=361

 

looks pretty good, but you could also just go to autozone and pick up a hayden or flex-a-lite, as long as its a stacked plate design it will work.

 

That B&M racing trans cooler will probably work good but may be overkill for what you need. It also does not include the installation materials. The next thing you need if you tow more than occasionally is a transmission temperature gauge. They can be installed very easily on the 04-05 F150 by removing a plug from the "line" test port and putting the sensor in that port. That way you know exactly what is goin on with that tranny.

 

So no one thinks I should go with the factory cooler? Also, no one has mentioned how I would run the lines to the transmission and whether I would need to top off the transmission fluid to compensate for the extra fluid capacity as a result of adding the cooler. I would prefer using the factory cooler as I would have no trouble mounting it, and I would be able to utilize factory lines. I couldn't find it on fordpartsnetwork.com, so I don't know if the cost is prohibitive. Suggestions?

 

Transmission fluid runs through your radiator. Just tap (cut) into one of those lines and run it through the new cooler then back into the radiator. Or some people just bypass the radiator all together (I'm sure you'll get advice for doing it either way). I took it to a local shop and they charged me 1 hour of labor to install my cooler. (about $60). In fact, my local Ford dealer could have done it as well. But I didn't find this out until after the fact.

I guess if you could get all the parts to install the factory cooler it would be a good way to go. But the B&M unit zip tied to the front of my radiator (how B&M says to do it) worked great for many years on our previous '98 F150.

Maybe get the temp gauge installed first and see if you even have over heating problems before you go to all the work of installing a cooler.

 

I see... so the lines will be a very short run. That's good news. I'm still waiting for info on where to acquire the factory cooler (I sent FPN an email).

So I guess B&M is a good aftermarket choice (if I choose to go that route)? What about installation kits? Maybe I should just go with the B&M SuperCooler 24,000 GVW, part #130-70264, since it comes with everything I need to install the product.

Comments?

 

TTT! Weeeeeee....

 

I don't remember the part number, but I bought the biggest B&M cooler I could find on Summit Racings website. But that was about 3 years ago. Back then I even considered purchasing another one to mount along side it! Our trans temps were still getting up to 240! On our new truck the factory cooler is a little larger than the B&M one that I used....but not by much. I think our temp sensor in the old truck was giving us readings that were too high because of where we mounted it.

Measuring the trans temp in the correct location is a tricky issue. In our old truck I mounted the sensor in the line that immediatly exited the transmission. (Autometer makes a "manifold" just for this purpose) This is where the oil is the hottest as it's coming right out of the torque converter. Autometer said to mount the sensor where the oil is the hottest so that's what I did. But some people on this forum have suggested that it was giving us a reading that's too hot. You can also mount the sensor after the oil exits the cooler or mount it in the oil pan. Some people have suggested that this will give readings that are too cool.

On our new truck I mounted the sensor in the "line" port (its used for measuring trans line pressure). The temp hasn't gone above 180. You're going to have to draw your on conclusions on where to mount the sensor (or just forget about a temp gauge!).

 

I found some great posts addressing where to mount the sender for a temp gauge. I got that covered. If the factory cooler is anywhere near the cost of the aftermarket coolers, I will go that route. I am not holding my breathe, though.

Thanks for the help. Now I just need some advice on where to find the digital temp gauge that this guy used (see link below), or one of equal size. I would also like to put my temp guage where the dash cigarette plug is located.

https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...smission+gauge

 

Here ia a link to the OEM trans cooler from FPN: OEM tranny cooler. It's costs more than the B & M one but it will utilize the existing mounting holes.

 

You know, I have been communicating back and forth all day with Torrie R. McPhail from FPN, and I still haven't been told what I need to install this thing. Can someone with the factory trans cooler tell me how difficult the installation looks? I am concerned that I won't be able to pull together all the little pieces such as hoses, lines, etc. Does the cooler tap into the portion of the radiator that cools the transmission fluid or does it run all the way back to the transmission? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

does your truck have a non-trailer tow package cooler? mine does not have trailer tow pkg but does have a trans oil cooler, except it is only about half the height of the big one.