Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Aftermarket transmission cooler?

[THoltz]

Anyone know of a good aftermarket automatic transmission cooler that will fit the location of the stock cooler? I would like to upgrade my cooling capacity when towing. Thanks Folks.

 

[cerberusiam]

Replacing the OE one is not much of an upgrade, its a pretty good piece in itself. Adding more cooling can be done with a plate type cooler and thermo controlled fan mounted under the box.



VB mods and removal of any drain back valves is highly reccommended if going that route.

 

[THoltz]

Thank you for the feedback, much appreciated.

 

[ShawnC]

I went with a Derale 15950. $195 shipped. 3 hrs install. Works like the old Super Duty coolers on the first gens. A thermo switch activated fan cooling a plate and fin cooler. Its mounted in front of the gas tank (long bed) inline after stock cooler. Adds a quart and a half or so fluid. Also adding a remote mount trans filter (again available from Derale 13090) ($50 shipped e-trailer) will also add a quart or so of fluid depending on filter) This will give me better filtering and adds 3+ Qts fluid and a positive cooling fan instead of heat sink fins or tubes of a pan. That's about the same fluid as a dd pan. Gonna move my rear servo mounted temp gauge (slow readings) to the filter base for better readings.

On another forum I was shown a setup with a thin 7" fan installed on the stock cooler. 7" took up all available room for fan, mounting above bumper. Has to be thin to fit. Search e-bay and you can buy one for 35 two for 49 shipped. Wire to a switch or get an automatic switch from Summit or the like to turn on at your desired temp ($45). And a Derale 14210 trans pan $114 Summit sale $129 norm. Double Deep pans half the price of competitors, cool design too. Might want the filter extender for that 14010 about $50. Better cooling for around $200 bucks + fluid filter of course.

Or find the size Plate and fin to bolt on from the Derale site. I don't work for them or anything when I was looking for my cooler It was let slip they were suppling the coolers for the other choices. I went to the source they don't sell directly- search wanted part #s for what you like. Streetside Auto best deal for my cooler.

 

[BigDaddy]

Here is what looks like a top of the line aux cooler made by ProWeld: Supercooler



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They came out with this kit a few years ago. It is pricey, but it looks well worth it.

 

[SnoKing]

With your DTT transmission and if you keep the Torque Converter locked there should not be a cooling issue. I have a temp probe in the output line and one in the transmission pan. Towing 12K 5th wheel in hot SW weather I can see 170 in the output line and the pan probe is barely moving the gauge at 140 degrees. I have the DTT smart contoller to manage the Torque Converter lock up. Stop and go traffic is harder on transmission temps than towing. I have the 89 percent TC, and put it in neutral at stop lights or traffic stops, if temps start going up, which can be over 200 fairly quickly. I run Amsoil in the transmission. Probe in pan is worthless and I am thinking about moving it to the rear diff.



Snoking

 

[THoltz]

I also have the DTT transmission controller. My temps in the summer run around 160-170 if I am cruising. My temperature probe is in the pan as my Mag Hi-Tec DD pan has a tapped thermocouple port. I was kind of wanting a larger tube & fin cooler with more heat transfer area to replace my stock cooler. I do not have a full set of billet shafts, just billet input. Maybe I am running OK as far a temperature goes. I will take a look at the Derale and Supercooler kits. Thanks for the replies and info.

 

[ed9824v]

I also have the DTT transmission controller. My temps in the summer run around 160-170 if I am cruising. My temperature probe is in the pan as my Mag Hi-Tec DD pan has a tapped thermocouple port. I was kind of wanting a larger tube & fin cooler with more heat transfer area to replace my stock cooler. I do not have a full set of billet shafts, just billet input. Maybe I am running OK as far a temperature goes. I will take a look at the Derale and Supercooler kits. Thanks for the replies and info.

I also have the fully built DTT transmission and run 160-170 in the summer cruising BUT I did check the reading against the inferred laser gun and it showed about 20* lower at the sending unit. I just ordered the D15950 Derale fan, stat, plated cooler, hose and fittings with a matching price from Summit racing to etrailer.com. I will leave the stock cooler in place and add the fan cooled unit under the truck. I will be following the instructions from this set up for the 2nd gen truck install. Page Title



ED

 

[THoltz]

I haven't checked my pan temperature with a laser, that is a good idea. Let me know how your install goes and how your temps run afterwards.

 

[SnoKing]

That's strange I never see transmission temps like that in my single deep magtech pan, out put line tow in git sw weather, but not the pan. Snoking

 

[THoltz]

I installed my gauges before I did the transmission mods, it runs maybe 10 degrees cooler after the DTT mods, but the thermocouple was originally installed in a test port, not in the bottom of the pan so maybe it reasonable to see a different before & after temperature.



Anyhow, I don't think my temps are too hot, but I would like them cooler. I don't run a synthetic fluid, I use valvoline ATF, comes in a blue gallon jug I buy at Checker auto. My DTT installer says DTT says use the plain old ATF, but change it every 10,000 miles if a lot of towing is done or 15,000 miles if not a lot of towing. It is pretty easy to drain, TC also has a drain plug, just need a BIG drain pan.

 

[rasteck]

My experience towing my 12K lb fifthwheel is very similar to SNOKING's. If I keep the torque converter locked my temps stay below 170*. My problem is with the 3. 55's and the winding mountain and coastal grades I tow on I end up doing a lot of very steep climbing in first and second and with the turns I can't go 35mph so it'll lock in second; I went as high as 260* last week.



I've added a switch so I can lock the converter at any speed in second, I'm going to add the Supercooler from ProWeld and also switch to another Goerend VB that will lock in first through fourth. I figure that way I'll never have to worry about temps again.



Of course I could probably just switch to 4. 10's and be in about the same spot. With the other mod's I've done I have plenty of power to tow in OD now so I'm not in a hurry to go to 4. 10's.