Hello,

I've got a '99 with a 4.6 V8 without the trailer towing package. However, I have added an aftermarket Class III hitch to my truck.

My question is this, I only when ever we go camping (on average once a month - Summer months only). For that matter, I only own a new tent trailer which weighs in around 1400lbs dry. However, after to load the trailer, add the gear in the back of the truck and throw in the family up front, is it concievable that I should be adding a tranny cooler to my truck? Where does one draw the line? or, is there a line to be drawn?

Mike

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1999 F150 S/C XL w/4.6 V8, Automatic, 3.55 axle, Captains Chairs, Single CD player, XLS Appearance Package and XL Value Group - Oxford White w/Harvest Gold lower.

 

Mike
Yes most definatly! The cheepist insurance you can add is a tranny cooler! Heat is what kills a tranny! I looked at your profile and up there in Canada I don't think you will need a aux. oil cooler but for the 100.00 bucks you will spend on a aux. tran cooler it is well worth the price!!

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Nastruck1-4.6-377 rears-Superchip-K&N GenII-Dynomax RaceMag With Roush tips-MPC bug shield-40-60 black tint windows-bed liner-class3 drawbar hitch- Polk 5227 2 way speakers in the rear and Clarion SRC5753 components in the front. Everything Dynomated. Sony 4750 cd head unit.Sodium Holigian headlights ( Ford Lover stuck selling Cheveys )

 

Hello Mike, adding an auxillary tranny cooler is a no brainer and wont cost an arm and a leg. Even if your towing a light load the extra protection for your transmission is worth the few dollars it will cost. Even though I dont currently own anything that needs to be towed I ordered cooling package just because average summer temps where I live will just about melt a rock... and things that are "built like a rock". Heck do it just for the peace of mind.

 

Who makes quality trans and oil coolers? Are the Ford OEM units recommended?

 

I got my after market B & M cooler from www.carparts.com . I gave $41 for it including shipping.

Before you order, climb under there and see if there is already on installed. I was somewhat suprised to find one already on mine.....After I received the B&M.

And no I did not get the towing package,

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1999 Super Cab XLT
5.4 V8
white w/ grey interior
LoJack Anti-Theft System
Bug Deflector
Aluminum Tool Box
Bed Mat
CCA Redfish Decal
TTMB Sheepshead Decal
JOIN at <A HREF="http://www.2coolfishing.com

" TARGET=_blank>www.2coolfishing.com

</A>

 

The only one installed on mine is the power steering cooler!

 

Mike welcome aboard! I too live in Calgary and if I'm right, you're heading into the mountains, not the flats on the weekends. Get the cooler and follow the directions. Mine has one but I also have the towing package. I think they tap into the low pressure return line.
Bruce

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'97 F-150 Lariat,4.6, S/C, 4X4, SB, 17"wheels, no mods.

 

The auxilliary tranny cooler is hard to spot. It is between the Air conditioning condenser (looks like a radiator and is in front) and the Radiator. Yes, the little one down low and about 6 X 4 inches is the power steering pump cooler. You have to look through just the right hole to see the Auxiliary tranny cooler if you have one.

As far as going and putting in the OEM one here is my experience with that. In consensus with the service manager I discovered that even Ford recommends you go to an aftermarket if it did not come with one of the Cooling and or Towing Packages. They say it would be a nightmare to try and install the OEM one after the fact. Not sure exactly why but I went the after market one after trying hard to get the stock numbers and parts lined up. The aftermarket will be or can be bigger than the stock one anyway.

Most of our tranny experts say put a extra cooler on even if not towing. Performance driving, mountain driving and high temp driving all other good reasons for overheated trannys. Cheap insurance.

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2000 F-250 Super Duty, Super Cab XLT, Oxford white with medium grey cloth captains chairs, 5.4L Triton V8 (260 HP version!), 4R100 4 Speed Automatic Transmission, 4 wheel ABS, Deluxe Aluminum Wheels, Trailer Towing Package, Class IV Hitch, Reece load distribution system, Escort Sensor II Electronic Brake control, K&N filter, Sure Stop towing skirt, Westin step bars, "White-White" head lamps, Herculiner bed liner.

 

Thanks cphilip,

What aftermarket unit did you purchase and install? How much was it? How hard to install?

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2000 F-150 XLT Sport, Silver 4-door Supercab
Short Bed (Only way to fit in the garage)
17" Sport Wheels with BFG tires, 3.55 "regular", 4.6l V8, Auto (First one in 20 years)
In-Dash Single CD Player, K&N Filter, Gatorback Spray-In Bedliner

Hopes and Dreams:
Superchip, WMS Velocity Tube, Upgraded Speakers/Stereo
FlowMaster Exhaust, Nerf Bars

 

I used a Hayden 32,000 GVWR unit. Biggest one I could find and would fit in there. It was reported to me by another member that Hayden makes the ones for Ford. It was $125. It was very very easy to install. I went to the local transmission place, gave them my keys and sat and read magazines for about an hour!

(actually the cooler was about $65 or $70 or so of that and I had it done because I am a chicken when it comes to cutting perfectly good tubes and things)

Oh... another thing I learned: You will make a choice as to wether to leave the internal cooler (on built inside the radiator)in line or to by pass it altogether. On a newer truck, with a radiator in good shape, well maintained and with little chance for the internal one to leak across to the engine coolant, I chose to leave it inline for additonal cooling. If you do so as well then the fluid will run through that one first and then into your new auxilliary one and then back to the tranny. Got it?

BTW: This was in my 97 F150 4X4 lariat. I have the factory system in the SD.

 

I agree with all the above posts. i have a 97 F150 Supercab, 4.6. Last year, I started towing a coleman tent trailer, knowing that I had the factory trans cooler (didn't occur to me that they only meant the one in the radiator). Although I had no problems, I felt that I generated alot of heat, which lead to breakdown of the fluid. I started to get the transmission shudders after this. This winter, I installed a 22000 lb Hayden unit I bought from Advance auto parts for about 60. I installed it myself, in about two hours, then changed fluid and filter, and drained the torque converter also. What a difference! At least worth the piece of mind. Only thing to add, the kit will give you a brass fitting to tie into your line. This thing leaks like a sieve, even after using teflon tape. Go ahead and cut the steel line with a small tube cutter, and use the hose clamps to secure it. I used two on each line, and no leaks after three months. Also, suggest you pop off the front grill to install, this will save wear and tear on the hands. Good Luck!

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Nope, I climbed under yesterday and chased the lines down. My '99 came w/ an aux trany cooler and a power steering cooler.

I did not get the towing package so I'm still wondering if I got lucky or are aux tranny coolers standard?



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1999 Super Cab XLT
5.4 V8
white w/ grey interior
LoJack Anti-Theft System
Bug Deflector
Aluminum Tool Box
Bed Mat
CCA Redfish Decal
TTMB Sheepshead Decal
JOIN at <A HREF="http://www.2coolfishing.com

" TARGET=_blank>www.2coolfishing.com

</A>

 

I have read at this sight that the small radiator in front of the large one is the power stering radiator. Is this true on a 1996 (old style) F150? I traced the lines and they seem to go back to the transmission which is an AOD ("U" code in the door). The rdiator seems to be about 10" x 10". If any of you can let me know it would be greatly appreciated. I love being able to read your collective knowledge at this sight. Thanks in advance. -- Martin

PS BadAngler I am just over the bridge and am the "REAL" bad angler (as in pathetic). HaHa

 

If you traced the lines to the tranny then it's a tranny cooler. The PS cooler on mine is on the driver side and looks like aluminum and is a large diameter tube the turns once or twice w/ a few fins. When I first saw it I thought it had something to do w/ the A/C (dryer), but when I traced the lines, one leads to the PS resovior(sp?)and the other leads to the steering mechinism.

Ain't no one as pathetic a fisherman as me. So I keeop buying new toys hoping that will help. So far, so bad (

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1999 Super Cab XLT
Windsor 5.4 V8 complete w/ Piston Slap at no extra charge (Thank you very much)
Intake Silencer Removed
White w/ Grey interior
LoJack Anti-Theft System
Bug Deflector
Aluminum Tool Box
Bed Mat
CCA Redfish Decal
TTMB Sheepshead Decal