1996 F350 5.8 with E4OD

truck is stock and has the towing package which means there is an external trans cooler in front of the radiator. in current, stock form, the trans fluid runs through the radiator, then through the external cooler, then back to the trans. should i bypass the radiator all together? here is what i have heard:

the radiator can develop pin hole leaks and the antifreeze and trans fluid mixes (not good). also, the radiator will actually heat the fluid if the trans is operating under the temperature of the engine (which it normally is unless the trans is really being worked). these are 2 points in favor of bypassing the radiator.

the one arguement i've heard for using the radiator is to bring the trans fluid up to temperature on cold days. i do live in CT and i do plow with this truck, so it will see its share of cold days. but i'd imagine the trans fluid temp would work its way up even with the radiator bypassed - it just may take slightly longer than normal.

any other arguements out there for or against bypassing the radiator?
what should i do?
thanks.

 

keep it hooked up the way ford intended.

your radiator leaks when it is in bad shape, is yours?

 

Leave it as is, bypassing the trans will cause harsh shifting in cold weather. If you are concerned about the radiator, replace it.