How to get trans temps lower
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How to get trans temps lower
Truck is a 95 f250 with the E4OD. Trans was recently rebuilt, and has a shift kit that gives nice firm shifts. Shop recommended I add a Tru Cool trans cooler, I believe 30k. I'm also running a brand new Mishimoto Radiator. Only mods beyond that are an ATF filter kit and a coolant filter kit, both from Diesel site.
I'm currently getting about 80° above ambient unloaded (although truck and driver probably weigh around 7400) and the best "loaded" temp I have gotten recently was 90° above ambient with 4000 pounds of tile on the deck.
Living in TX this is a bit concerning, since temps can hit 100° pretty easily in the summer, and only 4000 pounds would put me right at the end of the safe temperature range. Seems a bit weak all things considered. How can I get my temperatures lower? Different trans cooler? A second trans cooler? Seems like the second one would be a bit impractical, since the one currently on there is already taking up about 1/3 of the space in front of the radiator.
What is the best option here?
I'm currently getting about 80° above ambient unloaded (although truck and driver probably weigh around 7400) and the best "loaded" temp I have gotten recently was 90° above ambient with 4000 pounds of tile on the deck.
Living in TX this is a bit concerning, since temps can hit 100° pretty easily in the summer, and only 4000 pounds would put me right at the end of the safe temperature range. Seems a bit weak all things considered. How can I get my temperatures lower? Different trans cooler? A second trans cooler? Seems like the second one would be a bit impractical, since the one currently on there is already taking up about 1/3 of the space in front of the radiator.
What is the best option here?
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,540
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From: North Texas
Is the radiator trans cooler still in the circuit? If not, it needs to be. Do you still have the stock trans cooler? They are tiny, I finally saw one on a fully stock truck. I have a power steering cooler larger on my F150...I guess I would use the OE trans cooler for the PS and do a larger cooler of some sort. I have a B&M 70264 on my F150, no idea what weight it is good to, but it is decent for that lame AOD.
Temperature will vary where the probe is installed and with different brands of gauges. I would not care about 180F loaded, but that is me.
Temperature will vary where the probe is installed and with different brands of gauges. I would not care about 180F loaded, but that is me.
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No idea if I had the stock one prior, but what was there was for sure dinky. And yes, the radiator is still in the circuit on the advice of our local trans guru.
I'm not sweating the temp it hit, more the fact that I'll definitely need to be hauling more weight on hotter days. And if it stays at all consistent, it'll put me above 190
I'm not sweating the temp it hit, more the fact that I'll definitely need to be hauling more weight on hotter days. And if it stays at all consistent, it'll put me above 190
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: SE Florida
You can run as hot as 220°F all day long with no ill effects on the transmission. You can go up to 250°F for up to a half hour at a time. So no, you are not near the upper limit. That is, unless you believe the internet lore that 200°F is the absolute max temp for the trans. Hint: It is not.
The best way to cool the trans is to run the front line from the trans to the radiator cooler (it is that way stock,) then run to a cooler from a 2003-2007 6.0L F-Series, then to the back of the trans. The 6.0L cooler is much better than the Tru-cool, which is not a bad cooler, but not as good as the 6.0L cooler.
The best way to cool the trans is to run the front line from the trans to the radiator cooler (it is that way stock,) then run to a cooler from a 2003-2007 6.0L F-Series, then to the back of the trans. The 6.0L cooler is much better than the Tru-cool, which is not a bad cooler, but not as good as the 6.0L cooler.
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Oh dang, ok. Honestly I would have put money on having read you say that anything above 190 is reducing the life and effectiveness of the fluid, but I'm stoked to be wrong! I'll check out the 6.0 of that's a better option, I figure it'll be what, maybe a few hundred? Already 6k into this damn trans, might as well.
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: SE Florida
I've seen that in various places, but I never said it. It's wrong.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: AZ
I run Schaeffer all trans oil and have a 32 row trans cooler out of a 6.0 powerstroke. I pull 18K and temps stay between 150° and 180°.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2020
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From: NT, See you in the
For what it's worth I'm running a Tru cool 4921 behind the bumper and that's it and I see about 180* in the deep of summer if I've been running all day (Mobile AL, - Panhandle FL area in the high 90's- 100's with humidity). That being said mine is only a 30k cooler and the previous owner deleted the radiator cooler. I think if you're running the rad cooler, the SD 3/8 trans cooler lines, and a 26 or 31 row 6.0 cooler you'll be set no matter what. That's my plan eventually....
-Jake
-Jake
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I've got the Tru Cool. It works quite well towing in the summertime heat. I don't need more cooling for the tranny and am glad it doesn't completely cover the radiator and AC coolers up front. A little bit of extra cooling airflow up front is welcomed.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: NW Ga
I use to pull heavy loads with an auto trans and I replaced the factory transmission cooler with a cheap universal one that was 4x bigger than the little factory one. And just to be safe I bought Red line Hi-temp synthetic transmission fluid and changed it often. Not that you need to do all this. Just remember when your hauling heavy just because the water or oil temps are staying down the engine, trans, and brakes are still generating tons of heat. I'm the slow guy going up the hills but also the slow guy going slow on the flats because I like to let the let everything cool off.
Cross-Country
Joined: Jan 2016
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From: East TX
So Mishimoto makes a trans cooler for 6.0 2003-2007
And
FORD 7.3L POWERSTROKE TRANSMISSION COOLER, 1999-2003
https://www.mishimoto.com/media/prod...ATIONGUIDE.pdf
Which would fit our OBS Trucks the best ?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 1,231
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From: NT, See you in the
So Mishimoto makes a trans cooler for 6.0 2003-2007
And
FORD 7.3L POWERSTROKE TRANSMISSION COOLER, 1999-2003
https://www.mishimoto.com/media/prod...ATIONGUIDE.pdf
Which would fit our OBS Trucks the best ?
If you were to try the Mishimoto, the 99-03 is the one you would want to try as it has 3/8's lines coming off it instead of 1/2 like the 6.0's. That is the only difference I know of. And post up pics
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