Hi,

I plan on adding a trans cooler this year since I tow a small camper. I plan to eventually upgrade the camper to to something in the 4000 GVWR range. I have a '95 F150 XLT, with a 4R70W bolted to a 302 engine, and it has 3:08 rear end. It has 226,000 miles on the clock.

What's your recommendation for a good trans cooler? I would like a trans temp gauge, too. Any recommendations as to what brand, and where to locate it?

Also my truck doesnt have a tach, and I want to add one to monitor RPMs and shift points. What's a good recommendation?

I thought it might be nice to mount both in a 2-pod on the a-frame, but I'm thinking a tach would be too large.

Thanks for your recommendations!

John

 

I'd say that the 3:08 Rear Axle is too light for serious towing. You might be able to get by pulling a light camper, but you'll need a 3:73 or better for heavy towing. As far as a trans oil cooler, the bigger the better.

 

Troyer performance has a real nice active trans cooler. It has been on my truck for about two years with no problems.

 

When you say the 3:08 is not suitable for heavy towing, do you mean towing in excess of the towing limit listed in the owners manual? Or, even towing that much isnt recommended? IIRC, my manual lists the towing capacity for my engine/tranny/axle combo at 6500#. Think this would be ok to stay under 5000# trailer? I need to look at the GCWR, too.

Thanks.