What is the small "radiator" in front of the radiator for?
Sounds dumb eh?
I noticed a small radiator looking do-dad that sits in front of the main radiator on the driver's side. What is it for / what's it do? TIA!!!
(Keeping fingers crossed for extra cooling option.)
-AR
------------------
2001 F-150 XLT 4X4 Off-Road, S/C, FS, Black
- 4.6L Triton V8 (Romeo, 20 HP Increase)
- 5 Speed / 3:55 Reg. Axle
- Keyless
- Premium Audio CD
Mods.
- K&N Cold Airbox / Throttle Body Mod.
- Flowmaster 40 (Stock Setup with 3 1/2" x 10" Gibson Tip)
- Cranked Torsion Bars
- Bugshield
- Bedliner
- Ventshades
Build Date: 8/23/00 (Kansas City Plant)
arobbins@mail.liberty.k12.mo.us
I noticed a small radiator looking do-dad that sits in front of the main radiator on the driver's side. What is it for / what's it do? TIA!!!(Keeping fingers crossed for extra cooling option.)

-AR
------------------
2001 F-150 XLT 4X4 Off-Road, S/C, FS, Black
- 4.6L Triton V8 (Romeo, 20 HP Increase)
- 5 Speed / 3:55 Reg. Axle
- Keyless
- Premium Audio CD
Mods.
- K&N Cold Airbox / Throttle Body Mod.
- Flowmaster 40 (Stock Setup with 3 1/2" x 10" Gibson Tip)
- Cranked Torsion Bars
- Bugshield
- Bedliner
- Ventshades
Build Date: 8/23/00 (Kansas City Plant)
arobbins@mail.liberty.k12.mo.us
Sounds like the tranny cooler to me. On my '95 the tranny cooler and different fan came only with the "Super Cool" option. Not sure about the new models.
Put your hand on that little sucker even after just a minute of driving, and you'll know why it's there!
Put your hand on that little sucker even after just a minute of driving, and you'll know why it's there!
I know mine is a power steering fluid cooler. I've also seen several F150's with the same cooler. More than likely its a power steering fluid cooler. Easy to find out! Just trace the lines back to where they originate!
Trans cooler is built into your radiator. It also acts as a heater in the winter.
------------------
Rand
98 Ford Expedition 4X4 XLT
5.4, 3.73s, 17" wheels,
Homemade 3" "COLD" Air-Box
mod, SuperChip, Amsoil
everywhere but tranny, Perma-
Cool combo 6 pass trans/oil
cooler (FQR 5.4 @ 50K)
Trans cooler is built into your radiator. It also acts as a heater in the winter.
------------------
Rand
98 Ford Expedition 4X4 XLT
5.4, 3.73s, 17" wheels,
Homemade 3" "COLD" Air-Box
mod, SuperChip, Amsoil
everywhere but tranny, Perma-
Cool combo 6 pass trans/oil
cooler (FQR 5.4 @ 50K)
It is the power steering cooler. However I must say that if you have an *auxiliary* tranny cooler it is usually between the AC Condenser and the Engine (main) Radiator. Yes there is an intregal (internal one like Rand says) in that engine radator but many have an auxiliary with the towing package and it is hidden between these two points. Hard to spot.
cphilip-
On the newer f-150's the trans cooler is ahead of the a/c condenser on the pass side, there is not enough room between the radiator and the condenser......
------------------
2000 XLT Silver 5.4L SC 4X4 ORP 157"wb Ford Floormats, Mudguards,Cabin Air Filter, lighted emblems, lighted interior door handles(all 4) Chrome Grill (4x2 style), Diamondplate bed caps, Pro-Tech tool box, Air Box mod, Muth Signal Mirrors, Custom Gauge Pod-(water temp, trans temp)
Perma-cool 8" Electric Trans Cooler Fan, (2) Perma-cool 14" electrics
On the newer f-150's the trans cooler is ahead of the a/c condenser on the pass side, there is not enough room between the radiator and the condenser......
------------------
2000 XLT Silver 5.4L SC 4X4 ORP 157"wb Ford Floormats, Mudguards,Cabin Air Filter, lighted emblems, lighted interior door handles(all 4) Chrome Grill (4x2 style), Diamondplate bed caps, Pro-Tech tool box, Air Box mod, Muth Signal Mirrors, Custom Gauge Pod-(water temp, trans temp)
Perma-cool 8" Electric Trans Cooler Fan, (2) Perma-cool 14" electrics
Trending Topics
Sorry Shark, I hadn't realized that. I was going by my 2000 F250 5.4L which is still sandwiched between the two. Anyway it is much larger than the Power steering one and you can just trace the lines and see.
I must be missing something. Do manual transmissions now have auxiliary coolers? Mine has a PS cooler on the driver's side, and an auxiliary AT cooler on the passenger's side; in front of the radiator.
------------------
2000 F-150 XL,RC,LB,5.4,4R70W,3.55LS,
Class III tow/Payload #3/Convenience pkgs.,
4-wheel disc/ABS,Chestnut/Parchment 40/60,
Ford bedliner & gas/wheel/spare locks,
3" cold air box modification, Superchip,
Dynomax ultra-flow welded 3" cat-back,
3" exit Y-pipe, Hellwig rear anti-sway bar.
------------------
2000 F-150 XL,RC,LB,5.4,4R70W,3.55LS,
Class III tow/Payload #3/Convenience pkgs.,
4-wheel disc/ABS,Chestnut/Parchment 40/60,
Ford bedliner & gas/wheel/spare locks,
3" cold air box modification, Superchip,
Dynomax ultra-flow welded 3" cat-back,
3" exit Y-pipe, Hellwig rear anti-sway bar.


