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I have a 2000 Ex 6.8 4x4. Going to be towing heavy this summer across the country. I am looking at options to upgrade the trans cooler. I know the conventional wisdom is to replace the cooler with the 6.0 cooler, but what about adding a cooler instead?
I have a gift card to Pepboys. Everything is overpriced, so I'm trying to figure out what to spend it on, when I can across the Haden plate and fin coolers. After the discount and my card I could get a 679 cooler for about $25. It's a plate and fin, 11x11x3/4 core, 3/8 barbs. Or one of the smaller ones if necessary. I can't afford the 6.0 swap, so would this be a good option? I know it would probably increase fluid pressure, but would it be a detrimental increase? If so, what about running parallel rather than series? Tee off the line for the second cooler instead of in series.
If you run it in parallel it might improve the cooling. If you run it in series it will probably add enough restriction to open the bypass an then you'll have almost no transmission cooling. 11x11 is a pretty small cooler, don't expect much, if anything, from a cooler that small.
Does your '00 have the cooling circuit through the radiator and then the mid-sized air to oil cooler?
How heavy will you be towing? I still have totally stock ATF cooling on my tow rig EX, it has pulled the 11,300lb TT over 22,000 miles with only two very brief cycles up over 200*. I do have the Dorman 6.0 cooler ($160-ish) sitting in my garage for a someday installation.
I currently just have the air cooler, but have a new radiator to drop in that has the transmission cooler in it.
we are moving from southern California to Northern Maine. I will be towing a 12 or 14k trailer, filled with woodworking tools and some housewares, so I will be at 11-12k towing for 3,000+ miles.
Sounds like staying stock with the v10 air cooler and the water to oil cooler will get the job done.
I added a Tru Cool 4379 to mine because it's what I had on my Super Duty and it worked well there. They claim it's a low pressure drop unit and ok to put in series with the existing coolers on a 4R100. I did change my fluid after plumbing the new cooler in and had good flow through the whole system. I tow a 10k travel trailer and haven't seen a trans temp over 190° yet. I expect the 6.0 cooler would deliver better performance but this one is getting the job done. I know Dieselsite has them and I'm sure other do as well...found a few on Ebay.
Here's my trans temp, measured at the solenoid pack, after the 35 mile work commute this morning. Ambient temp was probably 72° or so. My understanding is that the temp runs a little higher when measured at the solenoids than at the test port where most gauges are connected.
Hello all,
I have a 2000 Ex 6.8 4x4. Going to be towing heavy this summer across the country. I am looking at options to upgrade the trans cooler. I know the conventional wisdom is to replace the cooler with the 6.0 cooler, but what about adding a cooler instead?
If this is the acceptable solution/wisdom that works best and is proven, then why not do it? Proven to work and is a bolt in solution for the most part. Save that Pep Boys gift card for some other toys.
If this is the acceptable solution/wisdom that works best and is proven, then why not do it? Proven to work and is a bolt in solution for the most part. Save that Pep Boys gift card for some other toys.
Make no mistake...the 6.0 cooler is the top of the line and the best choice if you can get it. I only suggested the TruCool as a less expensive alternative that will still work. I'm sure if you put my rig beside an identical one with the 6.0 cooler pulling a long grade on a hot day, there would be a noticeable difference in our trans temps.
We are 955 miles into out current towing trip with ambient temps all in the 80*s so far, the highest trans temp (from the test port) so far has been about 175*, that's with the factory V-10 coolers. Trailer is 11,500lb TT and there have been plenty of Eastern hills climbed.
I have a gift card to Pepboys. Everything is overpriced,
Michael
There you have it Michael, plenty of opinions and suggestions. Let us know which direction you take and maybe make your own ‘how to’ for the next guy. (and your FTE fame)
I upgraded our OEM aux cooler to the Dorman 918-216 version used on the 2006 5R110 transmission and added a B&M Super cooler 70274 and an oil filter adapter, all in-line.
The trans temps are greatly reduced and the line pressures are lower than with the OEM aux cooler so no problem with the cooler bypass port.
Both of the coolers use 1/2" tubing which reduces flow restriction compared to the OEM cooler with 3/8" tubing.
I would replace the OEM aux cooler with a larger cooler only if it had larger tubing.
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