I will be towing a #4500 trailer this summer.
I already have all the bolt on goodies.
I want to add a tranny cooler. I saw the one on Troyer perf. for $195 I think.
I know they have good products because I have their e-fans and underdrive pulleys. But I saw someone post a good tranny cooler will run about $60.
So which one do I get.
Where do I mount it. I dont have the factory tow package and not sure where to install the tranny cooler.
Do I need a shift kit? If so which one. I have the 4.6L auto tranny. I forget what the code or number is but it is whatever the standard is.
I am having 4.10 and LS installed and if I need a shift kit I want it all done at once.
I do have a Superchip performance chip which already adjust shift points but I am waiting for a call back from Troyer to see if this chip is tow safe.
Please offer as much advice as possible. I am trying to avoid buy a new truck since mine is paid for but I want to be safe and not damage anything.

 

I assume you have a 4r70w transmission. I wouldn't trust that 97 transmission very far. Ford improved them considerably in 98.
Alan

 

Alan,
Thanks for the info but my tranny has 106k trouble free miles. Also I was hoping for replies that would at least offer some information regarding my questions as opposed to someone knocking my truck.
Thanks anyway

 

BLANK21,
First of all, dirtydOg is a tranny guru. He's worked on these trannies more than any of us ever will, he also builds one of the best torque converters (Factory tech) available for our trucks. He knows what he's talking about and surely not trying to knock your truck!!

Anyway, a tranny cooler would mount in front of your radiator or a/c condenser if you have a/c. Troyer sells some great stuff and though his cooler is pricey, it comes as a complete kit and would easier to install, with a universal cooler, you'll have to figure out the install and additional parts yourself. You can get cheaper coolers, the real cheap ones are usually fin and tube type which do not perform as well as a plate type.

A mechanical shift kit is a good investment. It will firm your shifts and reduce slippage during shifts to help keep tranny temps lower. I don't recommend using any "electronic" shift kits as all they do is raise your line pressure which is not good for the trans.

Also if you change your gears (4.10), your superchip will have to be reprogrammed for the gears.

 

sorry dirtyd0g
didnt mean any offense. Lately I have posted alot on other MB regarding my truck and using it to tow a trailer and usually I get all the reasons why It's not a good truck to tow with. The one great reason I have is it is paid for and I have to make do with what I have.
aside from any tranny problems my truck is known for 01screw says your a tranny guru. My 97 does not have an electronic speedo or odometer that can be reprogrammed with a chip etc. There is a gear in the tranny that needs to be swapped out. Does this gear effect my rpm's?
The stock truck had 3.55 open rear end with 265/70/17 tires. I am now running 305/70/16 tires and will be installing (tranny shop not me) 4.10 gears and a LS. How do I figure out which is the correct gear to install to bring my speedo, odometer back to factory correct? Also, the new tire to gear ratio will be about a 3.88. Almost 3.90.
Would a tranny shift kit such do anything to help towing. I am pretty confident the truck will pull trailer with no problems but I am more concerned with prolonging tranny life. Will a shift do this. I already have the Superchip that does firm up shift points.
Can you help me out?

 

The biggest problem is the spring and roller intermediate clutch. I see them fail all the time, I wasn't meaning to knock your truck just trying to tell you if you are going to put alot of money in it start with the important things.
Alan

 

Alan,
Thanks for replying. If I havent had any problems to date with the tranny, should I be concerned about the parts you mentioned or should I wait for a problem to start. If I decide to istall either a Transgo shift kit or a Factory-Tech vavle body, should I replace these parts you mentioned as well?
Thanks for the good info
Paul

 

Well those parts require partial dissasembly of the transmission. I would expect to find a few problems in your transmission by now. The intermediate clutches are probably blued because they were the early design. In 98 ford changed them to high energy clutches and in 2001 they changed them to high energy clutches that have grooves in them for a better apply. The direct clutches in that transmission are a similar deal. In 2001 ford upgraded the seals in the direct clutch circuit to solid 1 piece teflon seals. They are top notch and help prevent direct clutch problems.
I suggest you buy a later model transmission and convert the wiring harness inside it to work with your vehicle or rewire the connector on the vehicle to work with the later transmission. It would be easier to just rewire that transmission while you are doing the valvebody because the valvebody has to be removed to swap the connector. Don't waste your money on a trans-go kit. If transgo is your only option then just leave the trans alone. You want a 2001up transmission. I have heard that you can use the stronger 4r75w in place of it with some minor changes ,but I have not done that to say for sure.
Alan

 

You can get a very good tranny cooler for a real good price, the one Troyer sells is mine (Factory Tech) and goes for $165, which I've admitted all along was pricey. Mine includes a Tru Cool cooler, which really is the best on the market, and has braided stainless steel lines and fittings so you don't have to have any hose clamp connections. The hoses and fittings actually cost me more than the cooler itself, which is why my price is high, but it's top quality stuff. If you just want the cooler I can get them for about $50, just drop me a regualr E-mail at GBEvans@peoplepc.com

G