Scotty's thread go me thinking about towing and taking a few precautions to help out with keeping things cool, here is his thread
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...expy-5-4l.html

I have often thought of beefing up my trans due to occassionally towing a trailer long distance in the south where it can get warm- I have the 4R100
I was thinking of adding a PML or similar pan to increase fluid volume, although that doesnt keep it cooler only takes longer to get to temp.
But I was also thinking of an external filter, similar to an external oil filter except just mount it in line on the way to the cooler up front which I was thinking of upgrading as well.
My question is.. If you were going to add an external filter system would you eliminate the filter in the pan all together? I hate dropping the pan to get that thing,
here is an example of what I would mount on the frame somewhere
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g4980

 

Jay I would not remove the stock tranny filter. The inline filters are just added insurance. The magnet that's in the Magnefine filter is the biggest benefit of that filter. It catches all the metal "dust" flowing through the line. I'm not sure any other filter has it. The Expeditions, Navigators, F150's use a 5/16" size inline filter.


-Mike



Magnefine Tranny Filters

 

I dont have that type of filter in or on the way too my trans, looks more like a fule filter

 

They don't come one many any vehicles stock...usually its an add on when a Trans cooler is added on. It is not the same as the filter inside the pan, so leave the stock one in the pan. Might want to consider adding a drain plug to the pan.

With that said, i have one on my 4Runner and it a very easy install and a cheap way to prolong the life of the trans. Though coolers are the most effective way to prolong trans life as heat is the biggest killer this is a great addition.

 

I got ya now

 

Not sure if you have the original towing pkg included, but if you do, the OEM cooler works well.
Most importantly is to regularly do the maintenance, including changing out the internal filter and ATF every 35-50k as Ford recommends.
Knock on wood, but 310k and still going strong after years of heavy pulling. That 4r100 is a good tranny.

 

I have na Edge Programmer which I have set to track trans fluid temp and I was recently towing my motorcycle trailer and the temp got to 200, a bit high for a trans I would think

 

A lot of trans operating temps are as high as 210. IDK, what if is for the Expeditions, but I would not be surprised if it was on par with that. A cooler is still a great investment.

 

Wasn't clarified but it still sounds like he doesn't have the original tow pkg from Ford. My point is that cooler, which is part of the towing pkg, works effectively when not adding a secondary.

 

From Auto parts maker Niehoff:
Automatic transmission fluid will provide 100,000 miles of service before oxidation occurs under normal operating temperatures of about 170�F. Above normal operating temperatures, the oxidation rate doubles (useful life of fluid is cut in half) with each 20� increase in temperature. The approximate life expectancy at various temperatures is as follows:

175�F 100,000 miles
195�F 50,000 miles
212�F 25,000 miles
235�F 12,000 miles
255�F 6,250 miles
275�F 3,000 miles
295�F 1,500 miles
315�F 750 miles
335�F 325 miles
355�F 160 miles
375�F 80 miles
390�F 40 miles
415�F Less than 30 minutes

Above 300�F, the metals inside the transmission will warp and distort in varying degrees depending on the severity of overheat. Because this damage occurs and fluid life is so seriously impaired, rocking out of snow, mud or sand should never exceed a very few minutes.

 

Very informative. Do you have this sited to any tests by chance?

 

I'm not sure why people think these extra filters are necessary. Seems like a waste of money to me since the tranny already has a filter and magnet inside of it.

 

If you go to their website, they have posted all the references..........

 

I do have the tow pkg, 4R100 trans and 9.75 Rear end.
I just wanted to add a cooler for peace of mind

 

Before anything else, I'd invest in a fluid temperature gauge. I cannot say this as gospel, but I've heard it enough times in transmission classes and from other guys in the business that not ENOUGH fluid temperature can be damaging as well. Seen several trucks over the years that have had a second cooler installed and still suffered premature transmission failure. The reason, as it was explained to me, is that fluid is designed to have certain lubrication properties at certain temperatures, and when it doesn't get up to that temperature, it can be the root cause of a lack of lubrication. Not to mention the transmission is going to shift a little differently due to the colder (thicker) fluid flowing differently through the various orifices inside the transmission.

Again, I cannot back this with any definite, scientific facts (ahhh, the Internet, home of the unbiased opinion) but those who have told me this were experienced, knowledgeable professionals in the automotive repair world, specifically automatic transmission instructors and technicians.

Now, if someone can prove me wrong, have at it, I'm man enough to admit I'm not perfect (mostly, but not 100%. more like 97%) There is a user who haunts the transmission forum here named Mark Kovalsky who is something like a Ford transmission genius, perhaps he can either confirm my beliefs or prove me to be wholly misinformed and absolutely wrong.

Boy, did that get longer winded than I intended... Long story short, I'd rather KNOW what temperature the transmission is running instead of running it cooler than it maybe needs to be.