Hoping somebody can help sort out the differences between radiators. Right now I only see two listed but there must be a third for trucks without tow package... What is the difference? For a very occasional tow with my 2.7EB I'd like to upgrade the cooling- specifically to keep the trans as cool as possible. Would either heavy duty or medium duty rads be a drop in upgrade for my 18 2.7L 10r80?

HL3Z-8005-B
Expedition, Navigator. F150. With max duty towing. With raptor. Towing Package. Extra Heavy Duty.

HL3Z-8005-C
Expedition, Navigator. Standard engine cooling. F150. Without raptor. All. With hd towing. 3.5L with turbo, without heavy duty tow. Max duty towing. Towing Package. Medium Duty.

 

You can do a search; this has been discussed before.
Basically, the 10R80 is set up to run warm.
You wouldn't be helping anything.

On edit, also, I believe they are water cooled on some versions.
I think my 3.5 has the cooler underneath in front of the tranny.

 

Yes, my ATF cooler is the oil to water type as well. My understanding is that increased radiator capacity would improve that cooling as well though.

 

I think your trying to cure a problem that you don't have.
In fact, you see very few hot tranny complaints....even by the heavy towers.

 

Yes exactly this. What will happen is that your transmission will just end up with the thermostat closed more. It won't get colder.

 

Is the 10 speed transmission more resistant to over heating than the previous 6 speed?

I had a 2016 F150 CC with the 2.7 and it was not well suited for towing in the mountains of Northern AZ. The transmission would frequently get hot. It was to the point where I would have to pull over and let the truck idle to cool the transmission down. On one of the trips in July, I had to stop 4 times on my way up the mountains to Big Lake. That was it for me. Traded for a Super Duty later that Nov.

I absolutely love the ride and feel of the 2.7 though. We recently bought a used high mileage 2018 F150 SC with the 2.7 and 10 speed. I hope the 10 speed handles towing better.

 

Transmissions with fewer gears get hot because they don't have as many ratios to work with to keep the engine in its power band. They are working harder and therefore generating more heat that needs to be gotten rid of.

Newer 8- and 10-speed transmissions don't have to work so hard because they have a lot more ratios to work with, and therefore don't have to 'hunt' between gears to hold a speed or keep the engine in its power band. Therefore they don't generate as much heat that needs to be gotten rid of. This has all been factored into the design of the cooling circuits for these trucks - and yes, they do seem to run hotter by the gauges, but that's where they are designed to run for fuel efficiency and power generation.

It is also why semis have always had 10+ gears even on the automatics they've toyed with over the years. More gears is less heat.

Long story short, unless your trans is actively overheating and throwing codes, you really don't have a problem and swapping parts isn't really going to help you do anything but spend money.