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I am finally about to add a tranny fluid cooler to my 02 E350 (5.4). Mine came without a tow package, and I've added everything else. I have a Scanguage, so I've been watching trans fluid temps for awhile, but I'm about to change my fluid and planning to add an aux cooler while I'm there.
I've had decent luck in the past with the Advance/Autozone coolers but wanted to ask if anyone had a strong recommendation on brand or size. Also, where should I place it? I can't remember. Do they go right in front of everything else? I'm sure the directions on the unit will advise where, but I wanted to gather some experience before I mount it.
My recommendation is to make sure you get a stacked plate cooler. The other type of cooler is a tube and fin. Don't get one of those.
A stacked plate has a tube on either side (or top and bottom) with numerous plates connecting them. A tube and fin has one tube the snakes back and forth.
My recommendation is to make sure you get a stacked plate cooler. The other type of cooler is a tube and fin. Don't get one of those.
A stacked plate has a tube on either side (or top and bottom) with numerous plates connecting them. A tube and fin has one tube the snakes back and forth.
How high are your trans temps?
Usually 175 loaded on the highway during the warm months, but I've gotten it pretty high on Western mountain trips in the hottest part of summer, one time around 200. Local driving it never gets very warm at all.
Usually 175 loaded on the highway during the warm months, but I've gotten it pretty high on Western mountain trips in the hottest part of summer, one time around 200. Local driving it never gets very warm at all.
That's high? I wouldn't change a thing. If you are only getting to 200 in the mountains on a hot day you don't need to change anything.
Thanks Mark. I will trust your expertise and carry on then. I figured as much as I have this van loaded I probably needed one, since it doesn't have the factory tow package/cooler. What would you consider high for a 4R100? I was pretty paranoid when it broke 200 some last summer, but I've never had any weird symptoms, just trying to prolong it's life.
If you install a bigger cooler then you have the problem of the transmission not coming up to temp, which can also cause problems. When I installed the HUGE 6.0L cooler in my Excursion I also found a thermostat bypass to install, otherwise I wouldn't get much above 130°. Extra time and money just to allow my transmission to get into the 170°'s!
I know on my 04,the one that came with the tow pkg,it had the thermostat in it , adding the v-10 cooler in line ,IMHO,has allowed me to go from 68k,when the trans.tc imploded ,to the almost 500k on it now.