Has anyone installed a trans cooler in their F150? I have a '99 Expedition and have searched Youtude and other forums but couldn't find anything. My truck is a '99 with the 5.4, tow package. Any links or info?

 

With a Tow package you should already have an aux cooler.
Nothing in front of the radiator?

 

I am sure I do, I haven't really lookked although I want something bigger. Reason beaing is in May I towed my 6x12 trailer with my Harley in it from Mass to Myrtle Beach, SC. At one point I was using Cruise control for 60+ miles while going through NC. The CC was causing it to frequently kickdown in gearr to maintain speed. Temps outside were really hot. I had pulled off the HWY to use the restroom, got out of the truck and could hear the fluid in the trans sizzling. Fortunately I didn't do any damage and took it slow the rest of the way. So this year I want to prevent this.
I actually found a good thread and this is the way I will go, looks like they are using a transcooler from a PSD 7.3 with great results.
SD Trans Cooler install + How-To with loads of - F150online Forums

 

You didn't mistake that sizzing sound for A/C evaporator drain water dripping on the hot exhaust pipe?

 

I seriously doubt it was that. The water drips on the passengers side and the exhaust runs down the driver's
I had the cruise set so it was constantly jumping down a gear to maintain speed. After that I realized that if I didn't use cruise I could still maintain a decent speed and not cause it to drop down a gear.

There was actually smoke coming off of the trans pan

 

There is need for some comment on this situation.
First the trailer is small and the load fairly light on a trailer that by law usually does not require it's own brakes.
Next, running at 60 mph letting CC work is somewhat a poor way to tow in very high temperatures.
CC is ok on the level with light enough load on the motor to not down shift but on grades where the motor rpm goes up (trying to satisfy the CC) is the thing that got you into the overheat condition.
What happens is the trans goes out of 'Lockup' at down shifting.
This permmits the converter to slip it's turbine/stator action.
When this happens the fluid us under a shearing moment. This raises the fluid temperature due to fluid shearing in the coverter.
This also loads extra heat into the cooling system at the radiator.
Your lucky you did not also have an overheating problems at the same time and maybe it was the cooling system you heard boiling.
If this goes far enough the engine cylinder head tremerature sensor detects it and can put the motor into limp mode and force you to stop.
Also the temperature sensor in the transmission should have set a code and a CEL light from over heating detection.
I don't know to the extent you had these conditions but if your sure the fluid got that hot get it 'all' flushed out for new fluid.
Fluid at those temperatures begins to breaks down from about 260 degrees on up.
For a persprctive, I have towed gross combined weightt as high as 12,000 lbs with a 4.6L Super Crew in ambient temps as high as 97 degrees.
I run a temperature monitor right off the converter outlet and seen temps as high as 260. It get scary the first time out but that's what happens when towing a load out of lockup and letting the heat build up like that.
My aux cooler is an 10 x 16" stack plate with a fan pushing through it controlled by a thermotat fastened to the radiator cooling in let line from the transmission.
The fan does double duty in that it cools the engine bay when it gets above about 190 by 'limiting' the engine bay temps at all other times at slow road speed and when just shut off.
This is good for the coils, rubber parts and anything else that degrades with elevated temperatures.
Lastly when you shut down a motor, the overall temperature goes UP considerably for a short time because the last heat generated by the cylinders/combustion is not being carried away to the radiator with the water pump and fan not running and the truck is stationary.
The sudden drop in coolant system pressure from the pump not running can cause the coolant to boil and make noises so a lot goes on you are not awhere of.
I thought you should hear this and decide.
Good luck.

 

^^^Thanks for the valuable info- I definately learned alot on that trip about towing. The reason I was in CC is because I had been driving all night (up 24 hours) and had a 5 hour set back due to rusted brake line that let go. At that point I was in "F*** it" mode (selfish I know). On the return trip I never touched CC and the truck ran much better.
I have earned alot of respect for that truck as well as I see it is built like a tank. It has some rust issue like rocker panels, rusted brake lines and the bottom of the doors. The truck only has 106K on it now, not bad for a '99. I REALLY want a new Ecoboost CC F150 but if that doesn't happen I will go through this truck completely and fix everything.
I do plan on going to Myrtle next year and want to be prepared. It is very stressful towing bikes that far from home when "issues" start occuring.
Again, thanks for your info