better cooling?
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: fl
better cooling?
hey all, got a 99' f150 shortbed 5.4 4x4. i take it out an play in the mud almost every weekend but i seem to have a recurring cooling problem. unless im in mostly water all day or its raining after about and hour or two of romping on it it overheats. after flushing the cooling system twice and replacing a bad fan clutch, its still overheating. anybody have an opinion on what too do to make er' cool a little better. I know a larger rad or electric fans would help. but im only an E3 still living on base with a tight budget, so what would help out the most?
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,907
Likes: 143
In your 'Romp' play', the ground speed is slow, the motor power is higher not making for a good situation.
You need to remember the transmission is being cooled as well by the radiator and adds heat to be dissapated.
Best bet is a larger capacity radiator and try to find a bit lower thermostat from the 200° +/- , that is standard.
A large transmission cooler may also help.
This is important because the output of the converter under unlocked conditions you are always under can result in fluid temps above 250°. That means to fluid can only cool down from that high a level to the cooling systems average operteing temp of around 200+°, so you can see what effects there can be if the sum total cannot be dissapated fast enough to the air passing thru the core, the average temp goes up, that you are having an issue with...
Removing the fan clutch and going solid mount with a fan that has the most blades may also help.
But if you do this, the fan will make a lot of noise on the road otherwise and may even over cool when you don't want it to for winter time heating..
Good luck..
You need to remember the transmission is being cooled as well by the radiator and adds heat to be dissapated.
Best bet is a larger capacity radiator and try to find a bit lower thermostat from the 200° +/- , that is standard.
A large transmission cooler may also help.
This is important because the output of the converter under unlocked conditions you are always under can result in fluid temps above 250°. That means to fluid can only cool down from that high a level to the cooling systems average operteing temp of around 200+°, so you can see what effects there can be if the sum total cannot be dissapated fast enough to the air passing thru the core, the average temp goes up, that you are having an issue with...
Removing the fan clutch and going solid mount with a fan that has the most blades may also help.
But if you do this, the fan will make a lot of noise on the road otherwise and may even over cool when you don't want it to for winter time heating..
Good luck..
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: fl
thanks thats exactly what i needed to know. im from ny... but im currently stationed in fla, where its extreemly hot and humid (as far as im used too). any recommendations as far as size or brand of the rad (2 core, 3 core, 4 core? ect?)
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,907
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I have not checked recently on radiator size but do have a larger capacity unit in my truck.
I got it from Rock Auto a few years ago for heavey duty towing.
Since that time, they discontinued that peticular unit.
Most of them were made in Canada where there is a large mfger operation supplying units for a lot of different makes.
Problem is you cannot get these things direct from Canada last I checked.
Whatever unit you find, try to make sure the transmission cooler fittings are the same as your stock unit or that you can reuse your fittings.
I have a perfect stock radiator without it's cooler fittings. They were expensive to buy from a dealer due to their design with internal rubber O rings for sealing.
Good luck.
I got it from Rock Auto a few years ago for heavey duty towing.
Since that time, they discontinued that peticular unit.
Most of them were made in Canada where there is a large mfger operation supplying units for a lot of different makes.
Problem is you cannot get these things direct from Canada last I checked.
Whatever unit you find, try to make sure the transmission cooler fittings are the same as your stock unit or that you can reuse your fittings.
I have a perfect stock radiator without it's cooler fittings. They were expensive to buy from a dealer due to their design with internal rubber O rings for sealing.
Good luck.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,609
Likes: 18
From: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
For the sake of economy, you might want to add a separate HD trans cooler first. It can only help and it may be enough to get you out of the critical zone. If nothing else, your trans will live longer.
If that is not quite enough, a good second step would be to go with a large electric pusher fan. Leave your stock fan in place, and switch on the electric fan during your "romping" sessions. That should handle it, assuming that your stock radiator is in good condition.
If that is not quite enough, a good second step would be to go with a large electric pusher fan. Leave your stock fan in place, and switch on the electric fan during your "romping" sessions. That should handle it, assuming that your stock radiator is in good condition.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: fl
i was planning on adding a bigger cooler (truck already has the towin package im assuming one of the two heat exchangers in front of the rad is a tranny cooler and the other an oil cooler, but ou know what happens when you assume 
) and probably a lower thermastat like 180 maybe?
) and probably a lower thermastat like 180 maybe?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,609
Likes: 18
From: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
I would suggest that you stay with the stock thermostat. I think it is 195*, and if you go cooler you have new problems. The '99 5.4 is a pretty sophisticated motor and the correct temp is important.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
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From: fl
ok roger that, this is my first truck thas younger then me so im tryin to take it slow and learn as much as i can. appreciate it!
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