Hi guys,
Im looking toward to alot of towing. But my truck didn't come with a towing package/transmission cooler. It is a 4.6L V8 with 4speed auto.
Im looking for information on how to attach one, OEM or not as long as it fit and work.
It will be towing a 2000lbs boat.

Thanks in advance for all the info.

 

see sig

 

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What? I see it, don't you?

 

use one from a 7.3 or V10 superduty.

 

see what ? 'siq' ? does that mean something ? ... to me its jibberish

 

they are talking about this

Tru-Cool V-10 40,000 lb gvw transmission cooler #4379

its in his "sig" which is his signature at the bottom

 

oh I got it. He should've just said it... lol
Anyway, I went ahead and bought a Hayden 405 cooler after I saw this picture:
Its rated for a motor home... should be more than perfect for the f150 towing a tiny 2000lbs boat.






Cooler Construction
Tube and fin
Core Width (in)
12.125 in.
Inlet Attachment
Nipple
Inlet Size
3/8 in.
Notes
Designed to fit up to class A motorhomes, towing up to 5,000 lbs.
Outlet Attachment
Nipple
Outlet Size
3/8 in.
Overall Height (in)
10.000 in.
Overall Thickness (in)
0.750 in.
Overall Width (in)
15.875 in.

 

First of all, uh, wow! Haha.

Second, towing 2000 LBS isn't very much. You probably wouldn't need the cooler. Sure, it won't hurt, but you're not working the truck THAT hard.

 

Not what I would get... Those 'tube and fin' coolers were fine when that's all they had, but with the 'stacked plate' ones they have now (OEM and aftermarket), they cool much better than those old style ones.

Think of a stacked plate as a mini radiator for the fluid. The fluid goes in one side and flows the entire area of the cooler and collects on the other side in one move for it's trip back to the trans. Those tube and fin jobs just flows thru a tube and the fins attempt to cool it as it goes back and forth....

I've got the stock one that came with my truck and it's a lot smaller than that thing and probably cools twice as much!

I tow a #5000 TT with a 5.4 and my trans temps stay in check, even on the hottest days and pulling 5% + grades.

No matter which cooler you use, you want to plumb it on the OUTPUT side of where it comes out of the rad (should be the lower line).

I also wouldn't use those plastic zip tie things to go thru the rad... Fab up some sort of bracket instead.

Good luck!

Mitch

 

Thanks for the info. I already purchased the tube/fin one. Although the newer designs are alot more efficient, im only towing a bitty load so it'll do just perfect for now.

 

Hey Guys,

I just picked up an 02 F150 Lariat 5.4L for a nice price and in good condition. It does not have a Transmission Cooler in it, however.

1) Which "plate" style cooler would you recommend?

2) How hard to install? I can turn a wrench but I am not a mechanical wizard. Can I do it myself? Is there a good plan out there to follow?

Thanks,

John

 

Derale, Flex-A-Lite, B&M, Hayden.......there are quite a few to choose from. Decide where you want to mount it. Then check the measurements to ensure fitment. Mounting is up to the imagination. You can use anything from zip ties to fabricating your own brackets.

 

where would the stock tranny cooler be mounted if it did come with one? I remember seeing a smaller heat exchanger by the oil filter location. could that be it? I have a 97 Lariat 4.6 V8 4X4.

 

Factory Aux trans cooler would be on the passenger side. Down low, behind the opening in the bumper. The cooler you see is the power steering fluid cooler.

4.6 equipped rigs only got an Aux trans cooler with the 'tow package'. All 5.4 equipped rigs get an Aux trans cooler, but with the 'tow package', it's slightly larger..

Mitch