Fast Coolers - Valuable Mod?

[DwayneKelch]

Considering purchasing and installing the Fast Coolers on my 2001 ETH/DEE. However I'd like to know if the benefit gained is worth the price.



I recognize they'll pull heat from the transmission, and the added oil capacity is a plus too. But, is it significant enough to warrant the $$$.



I never tow any heavier than 8,500 pounds, so should I be concerned with trying to cool the oil?



If a must have, where can I purchase them... the best price?



Thanks.





Dwayne

 

[TomGolden]

I have a set on my DEE transmission. I got mine straight from Verlyn Fast. Piers and many other folk sell them, not sure who has the current best price. According to my SPA gauges in the transmission and rear diff, they make a 10 - 20* difference in the transmission. In my opinion, they certainly work as advertised.



I never tow, at least not very often, like once a year, but I like the piece of mind.

 

[DwayneKelch]

Tom,



10-20 degrees doesn't sound like much. During a prolonged tow it may though.



I plan on towing my boat (approximately 6,000 pounds) from Alaska to Colorado this summer, and if the coolers work as advertised, I should probably install them. I'm getting ready to change my transmission oil, so it would be best to install them when I do that.



Is there going to be a clearance problem if I later upgrade to 4-inch exhaust? Oh man, possibly another gauge install too. It's the domino effect.



I'll do a little research on prices and go from there. Thanks.



Dwayne

 

[Ram4Sam]

Fast coolers...

Dwayne, I got a set from Piers awhile back and before I installed them I thought it might get a bit tight with a 4" pipe. There are actually two sizes, the ones for the six speed are a bit shorter than the the five speed version. Piers had sent me the longer five speed ones. I called Verlynn at Fast and he swapped me a shorter one(six speed size) that I used on the exhaust side and I kept the longer(five speed size) on the drivers side. The shorter six speed size leaves plenty of room for 4" pipe.



Sam

 

[TomGolden]

Dwayne, I have a 4" Jardine exhaust, and mine fit just fine. Of course when I ordered them, I don't recall if Verlyn specifically asked what size exhaust I had, but he did ask what transmission. I didn't realize there was a difference between the 5 & 6 speed transmission sizes in the coolers...



However, on the exhaust pipe side, I did have to cut the length of one of the bolts, either the very top or bottom bolt, I forget which, by 1/2" so it would fit, but if you installed the coolers before the 4" exhaust, that would not be a problem for you.



And as you can imagine, it will be much nicer to add the coolers at the same time as transmission lube change



Oh, and if you have a 4x4 and the transfer case has a PTO cover (the 241HD version), a FastCooler will fit that too



Tom

 

[DwayneKelch]

Tom, Sam... Gentlemen,



Thanks for your expert advice. I think a 10-20* drop in transmission temp is a good thing, especially over the distance/duration I'll be towing my boat... Alaska to Colorado. Now, if we only had water in the lakes all my problems would be solved.



Tom, good catch on the transfer case. I do have a 241 HD, so will buy that too.



I searched the web for prices. It looks like Geno's has the best deal, $189. 00 per set. Will order today.



Appreciate the help, most importantly making a wise investment. Better to put my money into my truck than the stock market right now. At least when I put money into my truck the bottom won't fall out of it. Take care.





Dwayne

 

[DwayneKelch]

Update - when purchasing these fast coolers ask a lot of questions... better yet, provide them a lot of info.



Called Geno's and they didn't seem to understand/know of the clearance problems associated with a DEE, Fast Coolers, and 4-inch exhaust. They referred me directly to Verlyn at Fast Cooler. He definitely knows about the clearance situation. He's sending me two for the transmission and one for the transfer case... great price too.



Sure glad I posted this thread, more so that Sam and Tom replied with their input. Man, you two saved me some frustration. Thanks.



'Til next time.



Dwayne

 

[Diesel Gunner]

Hey Sam and Tom, how much does the xfer case cooler add to the capacity of the case?

 

[TomGolden]

Dwayne, you're most welcome That's the beauty of the TDR, we all help each other make informed decisions, and sometimes avoid frustrations. Of course, the "down side" of the TDR is that we sometimes cost each other $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ :-laf



DG - As far as I know, the coolers are identical for transmission and Xfer case, so unless you get one that is shortened considerably for a clearance problem (like maybe for 5" exhaust), they all hold basically 1 quart of fluid per cooler. So, you have the potential to add 2 qts to the transmission and 1 qt to the Xfer case.



Tom

 

[CFAR]

What was the great price?



I paid 140 for two, from http://www.autowurksdiesel.com/pages/745237/

 

[DwayneKelch]

CFAR,



Wow, great deal. When I conducted my search for best price, I didn't visit that website. Outwardly it looks like the place to buy.



Is that price for 5-/6-speed trannys? Too, if you're using a 4-inch exhaust make sure you get the shorter cooler for the PTO cover on passenger side. Geno's, or at least who I spoke with, wasn't familiar with the clearance issues associated with the standard coolers (on 5600 transmission) and 4-inch exhaust.



Verlyn is versed in problems with clearances and was able to sell me a standard and shorty for the transmission, and a single cooler for transfer case. Not sure that customized/personalized service is available anywhere else... he's very customer oriented.



The price I paid, when calculated per cooler, doesn't break down to be quite that good... close. The extra cost paid is well worth it as I'm assured to get the right parts the first time... piece of mind.



Out of respect for Verlyn and future business, I won't broadcast the price. Don't want him to feel obligated to pass same price on to others.



Can't wait to get and install. Appreciate all the input everyone provided to help make decision on purchase... CFAR, although too late for me, hopefully others can benefit from your info.



Take care, all.





Dwayne

 

[CFAR]

Originally I was going to split the cost with someone and install a filter kit on the other side. But now I'm unsure as to the filters worth anyone want to chime it. It would cut the cost of fast cooler in half. Not that I'm advertising.

 

[robobx]

If the cooler is that close to the exhaust wouldn't that side raise the temps?

maybe a little heat barrier on the exhaust might yield even lower temps

 

[WadePatton]

Originally posted by robobx

If the cooler is that close to the exhaust wouldn't that side raise the temps?

maybe a little heat barrier on the exhaust might yield even lower temps

Ohmigod, see what happens when we sit and think long enough!



Maybe at idle on a hot day stopped or in 5mph rush-hour traffic. Otherwise I'd say that the airflow would take care of the proximity issue.



10-20 degree temp change doesn't sound like much to me either. I'd think you could get that by switching to fully-synthetic gear oil-------but then that's a whole NUTHER thread.

 

[robobx]

I was just thinking that if actual clearance is an issue, then it has to be heating up the cooler itself

 

[jcbrown]

Transmission Filter...

Originally posted by CFAR

... install a filter kit...

I have this installed on my transmission. You should see what come's out at fluid change!



I'm thinking of adding one to my transfer case?



I think filtration is more important than cooler oil temperature.



(1/2) Fast Cooler may be future add-on.



Oil is cheap, contamination is not.

 

[CFAR]

jcbrown



What side do you have your filter kit on?

 

[TomGolden]

I actually bought one of those filter kits from Geno's Garage before I got my Fastcoolers. The darn cover was warper, which I didn't notice until I put it on, and it leaked all over ther place, so I just took it off and it's still sitting on my shelf.

 

[DwayneKelch]

All Potential Buyers,



I received my Fast Coolers yesterday (thanks for the quick response, Verlyn) and installed them today. If they cool as good as they look, it'll be worth every cent.



Here are the details on dimensions/clearances:



transmission (passenger side) - cooler is 3 inches thick and has 1. 75 inches clearance at closest point to the exhaust.



transmission (driver side) - cooler is 3 inches thick and has 1. 75 inches clearance at closest point to front driveshaft



Transfer case - cooler is 2. 5 inches thick and has 1. 75 inches clearance at closest point to the exhaust.



Fluid capacity - 6 quarts for transmission, and 4 quarts for transfer case.



Keep in mind, the clearances stated are with stock exhaust.



One project down, and two more to go. Trying to get my truck squared away before I head to Alaska on 28 Jun.



Thanks for the help.





Dwayne

 

[jcbrown]

Originally posted by CFAR

What side do you have your filter kit on?

It install's on the passenger's side of the transmission. There may be a different kit for installing on the driver's side but I don't have a part number?