Thanks, Chris. It turned out to be a requirement. The stock cooler has to go because the lines connect on top and route directly through where the 6.0 I/C hangs down, so I can't put in the I/C until I get the 6.0 cooler. Been wanting one anyway.

 

Will the TruCool Max in series with the stock on the 2000 F250 7.3 dsl make it run too cool? What would the tranny fluid temp be for optimum performance?

rhouse1938@comcast.net

 

The problem with the Tru Cool is where are you going to put it? The 6.0 cooler goes in the factory location. Everyone puts the Tru cool in front of the AC condenser and it reduces the air flow to the AC condenser causing your air conditioning to not work so efficiently! Also adding the Tru cool with the factory cooler causes a restriction on the transmission pump and may cause early pump failure! The 6.0 cooler uses larger lines and has less restriction and bolts in to the factory spot with factory hardware, no brackets to make! In my opinion the Trucool is not worth the money savings!

 

Crewcab Turbo,

That's exactly the info I was looking for. Although I will say since that TruCool is only about 8inches tall it doesn't block that much air from the a/c condenser. But I would be concerned with the additional restriction and pump failure for sure. If I knew for sure that the TruCool cooled better than the stock, I could just remove the stock, bypass it or whatever and just use the TruCool, but since I'm trying to make sure the tranny runs cool this summer that was the reason for adding it. And you are right that's exactly where everyone is installing the TC unit and praising the lower tranny temps. Thanks again for your response.

 

I think running those in series will make the trans run HOTTER than just the stock cooler!

Junk the stock cooler and install a 6.0L cooler.

 

Last week I pulled around 6k for around 60 miles and it never went above 140*. It was about 60* ambient. Stock cooler. It was an easy drive on secondary roads, with a few stops and starts, never above 65 mph.

 

Mark,

I know you said in another thread if I were "foolish" enough to connect the two coolers in series that would be a mistake. (or words to that effect).
I'm assuming (yeah, I know *** part) that you were referring to the fact that by doing that it would have more resistance, place more strain on the pump and therefore reduce the life of the pump?

However, I ordered and have received the TruCool Max and plan on installing it. But, what about this: If I put a open/close valve in the return line of the trans that connects to the secondary cooler (coolmax) and use that secondary cooler only in times of extreme heat and need to get the heat of the tranny down. The coolmax would be connected when the valve was open but the fluid would follow the path of least resistance and return to the tranny as usual.(not entering the secondary cooler except at the very bottom)......if extra cooling were needed the valve could be closed forcing the fluid up thru the TruCool and back down on the other side of the valve and back to the tranny as usual. A few more fittings, "T's" but not a big deal...................as far as running with the valve open I don't believe much fluid would try and enter the extra cooler, as I said, it would seek the area of least resistance and flow right thru as always.

Tell me where I'm going wrong. If it's a hot day and I'm starting out with the 8000 lb 5er, I'll just close the valve forcing the fluid having already been cooled by the stock cooler to go thru the trucool cooler and back to the tranny just to be on the safe side and it shouldn't overheat on me going up the slopes around this East Tn. and N.Carolina mountainous terrain.

Would this idea work? What do you think. ?

Appreciate your expertise. Thanks. Bob

 

No, it won't add any strain to the pump. The pump doesn't care one way or another. I've said this enough times I'm reaching the point where I don't care, either. You're going to do what you think is right and you want me to validate it for you. OK, you win, what your propose in the post above this one is the best possible thing you can do for your transmission. Stop reading here.

FOR EVERYONE ELSE:

Ignore what I wrote above. That's a lie.

Two coolers in series ADDS TOO MUCH RESTRICTION. That will cause the bypass to open so that the hot fluid BYPASSES the cooler. It is very likely that having a Tru-Cool in series with the stock cooler, whether or not there are some added valves, will cause the transmission to run HOTTER than it did with just the stock cooler.

The people that report better cooling with a Tru-Cool than a stock cooler REMOVE the stock cooler and only use the Tru-Cool. That will cool better than stock, but nowhere as good as a 6.0L cooler. Those of you that want the best cooling should junk the undersized stock cooler and use a 6.0L cooler. A Tru-Cool by itself is better than stock.

 

Mark,

I just proposed a plan and wanted to know your response. Good or bad. I wanted your knowledge. I didn't want you to validate anything unless it was correct. This is the first time in my 75 years that I've had a diesel anything and it seems they have to have an awful lot of special crap to make everything work correctly. Fuel filters changed every 15000 miles, tranny fluid changed often when towing...........ford screwups on certain models (like mine) where there was insufficient cooling installed,
almost too much crap to even deal with. My friend has had a Dodge diesel for years and never had to deal with much more than changing oil and fuel filter. I guess once I get everything taken care of on this one I'll feel better but I don't like to read about people that were running tranny too hot and having to replace it for 4-5 thousand dollars, that's BS. I've never in all my years had to even think about a tranny overheating. Yeah, I wasn't pulling a 5th wheel, but that's why I went for the F250, is because everywhere I read that was what RVers were saying I should get. And as far as me doing what I think is right, you are wrong, I listen to people, I read, I analyse and when I think someone like yourself has the right knowldge and expertise I decide what do do based on all those conditions. And based on that last post where you were maybe pissed off at my constant questions, ideas and concerns I am now considering exactly what you said. I have the Trucool installed, but haven't connected the lines yet. So, tomorrow morning I'm thinking I will just disconnect the stock cooler and plug the lines and connect the TruCool as the sole unit. Then just wait for summer and see what happens when I tow up the hills. I guess if it gets too hot, I'll just have to pull over somewhere and rest awhile.

So, from what I've read I guess damage can occur at around 200 if it stays there too long.............and changing the fluid will help protect the tranny also? The new fluid will withstand the heat better than old?

That's enough for now. 75 and still learning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I don't know where you got the 200 degree number from. You can run this trans at 220F all day long with no problems.

 

I'll take that to the bank Mark. Thanks. Even tho it would almost peg the 250 mark on the autometer trans gauge I got I suppose that's the reason it stops at 250.

That's nice to know and while I'm here, is there such a thing as running that tranny too cool? I'm talking in regular climates........not in some far off frozen tundra. Thanks again Mark for the info.........I'm sorry if I've been such a bother on here. Later. Bob

 

In normal temps, no, you can't run it too cool.

Ideal temp is about 170F. Newer transmissions have a thermostat to get them warmer. It mainly helps efficiency to get the temp up.

 

Okey dokey,

Thanks............I'll remember that number 170.

 

I think you are on the right track. I ran a TruCool last year, and found it running higher than I liked (220), and then hit a tight, slow climb in Colorado and watched it hit 250 and climbing before I could pull over and let it cool off. Pulling a 12klb 5th wheel.
I now have a 6.0 cooler, and looking forward to this summer's towing. I also installed the trucool thermostat, trying to keep the temps more in the 170 range in cooler weather.

 

Is there a problem with sending the trueblue back and then getting a 6.0 cooler?

Get the 6.0 and you will not have to worry about "what's my temp"...?

and yes.... I am one of those guys that spent over 5 geeesss for a new BTS tranny.

Welcome to the forum....