I own an 02 powerstroke with 150k on it. Previous owner never towed heavy. I plan on doing some heavy towing but am worried about tran overheating due to the miles on truck. After a bit of research I found out that I can swap my cooler for a 26 row 6.0 cooler or I could get the TRU-COOL 4739-1 TRANSMISSION COOLER which is simply an add on to my original cooler. The trucool is half the price of a 26 row cooler.

Which cooler would be better option for me. Any advice when doing these upgrades?

 

Some do fine with a Tru Cool but I recommend spending the extra C note and going straight to the best setup, the 6.0 cooler. The theory is adding a second cooler to the original can cause too much pressure in the line and the fluid can than bypass the coolers. I had a second cooler with my OE cooler and deleted the bypass. Now with the 6.0 the temps are better controlled. 26 or 31 row cool the same. There are several cooler install threads.

Also get a real transmission temp gauge, the dash gauge is not showing you real numbers. It's more of an idiot light and will show hot only it is too late.

And if the money tree in your back yard is deep green get some tunes for towing, like DP Tuner or PHP etc. You'll get more power but also better shifting strategies on the trans. Possibly a decal tune, like an exhaust brake.

We can help you spend all your loot on that truck.

 

Most people find a used 6.0 cooler to avoid the $$ of a new one. I realize that they can be hard to find used, however, and you might want to be sure the used one is flushed out by a shop before installing it.

 

Alright then 6.0 cooler will be it. I am planning on doing the ebpv exhaust brake mod.
As far as tuners go, do the tuners shift transmission as well to match up with engine?

 

I bought one from o'reilly, cant remember which one, and noticed a big difference while towing my 5th wheel. I did the tandom transmission coolers (for lack of better words). If your familiar with Utah I towed up to Monte Cristo, long up hill climb, and my temps didnt go above 200; last time my alarm on my chip went off at 230 and I pulled over to let it cool before going up further. I was only half way up. I also went over trappers loop without any problems. Just my .02.

 

Almost 2 years ago I upgraded to the 6.0 cooler and have never seen temps above 150 after I installed it. I have weighed in at just over 24,00lbs more than a few times. I have only the 6.0 cooler in the factory location. My radiator cooler is disconnected. The 6.0 flows well because it has 1/2" lines. I bought mine new. The way I looked at it was, I'm protecting a $5k transmission, its not the place to try and go the cheap way.

 

Yes, tho I am only familiar with DP tunes. All his tunes change transmission behavior to match the tune; race tune will stay in a higher rev range so the power is right now, tow tune will shift solid and sweet while loaded, daily driver has a touchy throttle so you toe into it slowly to save fuel, etc. The trans tune is worth at least as much as the power, IMO. For simplicity I went with the decel tune instead of the EBPV mod. It has the trans tuning to make the EBPV retard more effective. I do not know if a typical EBPV mod will lockup the torque converter etc to make it as effective. An implication of the DP decel tune is when you are in that tune, you are not able to accelerate. You must switch to another tune to get some go. Which is never a problem for me, but it's worth mentioning. Don't forget the gauges.

I googled Monte Cristo, on my bucket list now! Looks like a great road. I'd also recommend Hiway 12 for the Hogback.

 

My 6.0 cooler kept trans temps in check when I was having a shift solenoid issue. I was heading through the mountains in Missouri on the way to BTS to get the tranny fixed. On uphills, the tranny would try to shift to 3rd from OD but would only succeed in unlocking the TC.

Imagine the heat generated by pulling a 23k load (truck and trailer combined weight) up 4-6% grades in OD with the TC unlocked. When I finally got the truck to Brian, the fluid was still as pink as the day he put it in.

 

with my 6.0 cooler i can get to 190 but i do a lot of towing in 1 or 2 gear in fields up to 17,000lbs. on the road i may see 165.

 

Where did you fins "Mountains" in Missouri???

 

OK, steep grades in the rolling hills of southern Missouri around Branson.

 

I have the 2 coolers in series on my truck that seems to work fine here in the mtns. I put the cooler on for my buddy who had the truck and was pullin a 40ft fiver. The trans was getting warm. I now have a new tranny which was special built for me and the temps pullin my 34 footer over the hump is no problem! As for chip yes get one ! The tow tunes are awesome and the 80E for my DD just keeps a smile on my face! If you get a chip gauges are a no brainier! If I had to do over again I like the group here would have went with the 6.0 cooler. Good luck and keep us informed.

Smokie

 

I just received my 26 row cooler from rockauto. Discount code covered shipping so it was around $200 shipped.

Comes in a handy carry case




Looks to be decent quality

 

That's a different looking 6.0 cooler. I never saw one like that. Here is a pic of mine

 

Here is a shot of it from the same perspective as yours, looks about the same to me other than being painted black.