I need to add transmission cooler and I also want to add a guage pack to keep an eye on the temps. I am looking on someone in the Tucson, AZ and was hoping you guys knew of a reputable shop to do this work. Thanks in advance for the advice.

 

Hey welcome!

Adding a tranny temp guage is pretty easy. If you have the basic mechanical skills you can do it in under an hour. Are you still interested?

 

I am fairly mechanically inclined but prefer to have someone else do it. But I suppose I could give it a try.

Ed

 

If you prefer to have someone else do it that's cool. I cannot be of any help as far as a recommendation goes, though.

I would get you a step by step to install both the new cooler and the guage though.

What type of pod did you have picked out?
Have you selected a tranny gauge yet?
Cooler??

 

monsta, how big do you reccommend?

 

Depends.

I've never had a problem with the stock one while towing 8K up a hill, loaded with the TC unlocked in 2nd. Temps never even got to 190°.

If I ever felt I needed on this one (or one similar) would be the one, though.

Tranny cooler

Although it's kinda overkill. I believe any on this page would fit the bill used in conjunction with the stock one.

I'm a firm believer in a REAL tranny temp guage to be installed if you tow or haul (heavy loads). It is when you know your temps can you make an informed decision on whether or not an additional or replacement cooler is needed.

 

I'd get a 6.0 trans cooler. Works great and fits in where it should. $100 or so on ebay.

 

Here is the problem I am trying to solve. I tow a 10K trailer. I went to Sequioa National park while towing on the winding back roads where you can go only about 20-25 mph the tranny began to overheat. I only have a stock guage and the temps got into the yellow. I have to slow to 5-10 mph to keep the tranny from overheating. I am not sure if the cooler is the problem or the TC but the cooler is the cheapest to replace/upgrade. If you have detailed instructions on the install please send them as I will do the install myself.

Ed

 

Monsta,
In answer to your question i have chosen neither a guage pack or a cooler. For guages i was considering a pod mount above the rear view mirror for the egt, tranny and boost.

 

Firstly, it shouldn't overheat. So, to test that, I would get an Infra Red thermal scanner and check the temps. Say you are at 150 right now. Scan the pan and see if it even comes close. That way you will know whethe the gauge is right. If it were me, I wouln't even bother. Ford stock gauges are pretty cheesy anyways. Look at your oil pressure gauge. If you have 5 psi, it reads ok. Yeah, right. 5 psi is ok. Sure is for an engine rebuilder. I'd get a good gauge set and check the trans temp. You hook it up and put the sender in boiling water with a thermometer and see if it reads what the known good thermometer reads. If so, install it. That will give you accurate readings and not a SWAG that you will make with bad data from a factory gauge.

Secondly, take out the flap near the hood release and see if you can tell if there is obstruction. Better yet, take it to a high pressure car wash and use the wand and clean out the fins of the radiator, condenser, trans cooler, etc. You might be surprised to see what lives there.

Lastly, you cannot hurt yourself by going with a 6.0 Cooler. Are you with a 6.0 Cooler? What year is your truck?

 

I have a 2002 Excursion with the 7.3 deisel. It is stock with no mods. I do not have the 6.0 cooler. I agree that it shouldn't over heat but it does. About a year ago I smoked a stock tranny and had it replaced with a rebuilt one from Ford at the time I was unable to get a heavy duty after market because the wife didn't want one. Oh, did I forget to mention that it is "her" truck. We are considering getting a BTS tranny and TC but can't afford one right now. I am trying to patch the truck to get us through the next year or so.

 

And you are in luck

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford-...QQcmdZViewItem

 

I have heard that the 6.0 cooler is a direst bolt on replacement for the stock cooler. Is this true? If so it might be something I am willing to accomplish.

Ed

 

Sorta. You will have to go to Home Depot to get hose barbs since the cooler is 1/2 inch and the stock lines are 3/8 inch.

Where Monsta has his 2nd reference, if you click on that link you will see a pair of hose barbs. As long as the barbs are both male and one of them is 3.8 NTP that will slide into another 3/8 NTP, obviously one must be male and the other female, it will work. Also teflon tape the NTP parts. 2 of each type of barb, some teflon tape, 8 hose clamps, couple feet of 1/2 trans line, 6 feet of 3/8 trans line (yes, a little more doesn't hurt), 1 quart of trans fluid and you are in business.

 

You might check the bypass valve on the trans. The valve opens to bypass the cooler when the fluid is cold. If they get stuck open, the fluid will not go through the cooler and cause trans to overheat. You shouldn't be getting that hot. If you find the temps you are seeing are accurate, I would say you have a problem. I have an 03 Excursion with the 7.3PSD, I never saw temps get high, even towing through the mountains. That's with or without and aux. trans cooler. Good luck!