Trans cooler install

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Sep 29, 2008 | 07:18 PM

F-350PSD

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From: Simsbury, CT

Trans cooler install

I've decided I need a transmission cooler. I have a trans temp and it regularly gets up to 190 in town and 200 on the highway unloaded. I've decided the Tru-cool would probably best for my situation. How do you install one of these bad boys?
-Thanks

Sep 29, 2008 | 07:45 PM

tjbeggs

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From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI

You didn't ask for this but here is where I bought mine (best price I could find)
eBay Motors: TRANSMISSION COOLER HD 40,000 GVW TOW TOWING TRU-COOL (item 170204153118 end time Oct-19-08 10:47:36 PDT)

As for mounting it will vary slightly since I have an IC but pretty much remove your original mount it in a similar position as mine

One thing to note is that with my kit it was missing one of the fittings needs to plumb the cooler up. It has 2 3/8 flared fitting and the kit included 1 3/8 and 1 5/16 fitting. But a length of flared 3/8 brake line works great.

To mount it you can get a mounting kit from the parts store. I have zip tie type thing that you can put from the back of the A/C condenser put a cushion pad then the cooler on then the keeper goes on the outside. So you mount the trans cooler up to the A/C condenser.

Edit: One other thing that is not pictured is the thermal bypass valve. Right now I never see higher than 130 degree trans temp on a 75 degree day. During winter I will be freezing the fluid. That is where the bypass comes on. It is just a valve that is put inline on both lines. Mine will be installed where the two line come together in the picture above. From what I understand the valve will cause the trans to run at around 180 degree no matter what.

Sep 30, 2008 | 01:34 PM

F-350PSD

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From: Simsbury, CT

thanks for the writeup. why doesnt it come with that fitting?

Sep 30, 2008 | 01:38 PM

tjbeggs

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From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI

I think it was a screw up and that's why it didn't come with that fitting. The bag was all sealed but I can't say for sure what the deal was.

Sep 30, 2008 | 07:01 PM

sirenalx

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Joined: Apr 2007

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These are recent pics of my install. I fabbed up a bracket and painted it to stop any rust. I had to move the radiator back about 1/4" for good clearance.

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Webshots Grand Opening Special: For a limited time, get 50 free prints at our new store!
Webshots Grand Opening Special: For a limited time, get 50 free prints at our new store!

sorry, I havent had time to do a write up yet. My thermal bypass is located just above the clips that hold the rubber lines inside and next to the bottom of the radiator, using the existing clips to hold the lines and the bypass. No temp guage yet, but thats next.

Sep 30, 2008 | 07:10 PM

maverick1701

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Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 1,795

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From: Lubbock, Texas

I could use a trans cooler pretty soon too...I spend all day (saturday) up at the off-road park in 1st and 2nd gear in 4hi/lo and the tranny ended up getting really really hot. I went to leave the park and only had 1st/2nd gear....after she cooled off she ran fine but it was pretty scary...I thought I had killed my tranny

Sep 30, 2008 | 08:06 PM

shorebird

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Joined: Feb 2003

Posts: 11,537

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From: Long Beach, Ms.

I have a aux trany cooler mounted in front of the AC condenser. It is plumbed with the hot fluid coming first to the aux cooler then routed into the regular cooler that is part of the radiator. This flow route allows the excess heat to dump then keeps the fluid from being to cold on winter days. Even so I have thought about adding a bypass valve for the times I just don't need the extra cooling. BTW most coolers don't come with the valve. They are a add on. Mounting kit; Perma-Cool Universal Electric Fan or Oil Cooler Mount Kit - JEGS
JEGS Universal Electric Fan, Oil & Transmission Cooler Mount Kit - JEGS

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Sep 30, 2008 | 08:21 PM

sirenalx

Cross-Country

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 62

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hey Tj, yes it came with everything, except i bought a bit more hose to reach where I wanted it to go. I bought the trucool max set up as per recommended by this here site, with external bypass. cost about 129$ or so, and did the t-stat swap at the same time. btw, I added approx 1 qt extra fluid to fill the cooler, and level seemed great on the dipstick after running errands the next day.

Sep 30, 2008 | 10:15 PM

#10

kawa

Postmaster

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 2,795

Likes: 1

From: Rogue River, OR

When you guys install these coolers using 3/8" hose are you also changing out the tranny 5/16" "Hard lines to 3/8" as well?

Also, nice installations on all.

Rog