PROJECT #3: B&M transmission cooler

[y-knot]

While all ready up to #3, this nice weather is allowing me to catch up with a few projects I started but didn't think I would get installed till spring. That will most likely be the case for most, maybe even this one, but I did manage to complete 75% of the work this last week.

The project was to install an additional transmission cooler to the truck. I just recently installed a new ATS transmission and I wanted to protect it from over heating. Haven't had any reasons to believe it would over heat, but I would like to err on the side of conservativeness and be prepared. Before the switch to ATS, the trany would get hot (190-210) during stop and go traffic and long backing situations. The normal highway temps run in the 140-150 range.



#ad




I picked the B&M Hy Tech auxiliary oil cooler, it looked very well made and came complete with electric fan and thermo switch, also the fittings were 1/2" NPT not barbed. Looking under the truck, I wanted a place fairly close to the transmission that also offered some protection from road Debra and did not interfere with future mods or repairers. Another consideration was the air flow, it could not be pressed up tight to the floor board or frame rail. It does have it's own fan, but there still needs to be adequate ventilation. Of all the spots I tried, the best location seemed to be behind the transfer case. Their it is protected by the transfer case and skid plate, yet I could still get the slip stream on air I wanted. By attaching the cooler to the skid plate, I could easily fab a mount in the shop and not under the truck, plus everything could be removed easily if needed. I used some 3/4" square tubbing to make the frame work and secured it to the skid plate with 3-3/8" bolts. The cooler get secured to the frame work with 4-1/4" bolts and is also protected by some 1/2-16 flattened expanded metal.



This is the bottom view of the transfer case skid plate (black) and the new oil cooler mount in blue

#ad




Close up of the oil cooler mounted to the mount and skid plate. The design is strong yet light weight, and offer the cooler a secure and protected mounting place.



#ad




This sort of gives you a feel for what it will look like when mounted to the truck. There is a rake to the mount which allows it is position itself away from the back of the transfer case and into the slip stream. The mount itself is no lower then the transfer case skid plate, which keeps it up and out of harms way.

#ad




Like I said earlier, I have know ideal when I will get this mounted to the truck, it might be awhile. Most of the work is done, I only have to mount the plate, splice into the return oil line and run a 12V wire to operate the fan.

 

[Headshot zod]

very sharp looking... ... ... .

 

[Graphic man]

Nice work !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[y-knot]

Well I had time this weekend to install the "Supper Cooler" , it's pretty much straight bolt back on, just 3 skid plate bolts to install and tighten. I like the look of it on the truck, it's very well protected and it gets plenty of air. The nice thing is it does not take away room up front nor does it take away cooling air.

Installing the lines was very easy also, I cut the stock transmission return line about 2 1/2-3" back from it's 90 where it goes into the transmission. This allows you to use both halves of the line to connect the new cooler. The line that was coming from the front only needs a slight kick and it will connect up to the new coolers supply line, just tighten down the 1/2" compression connect and it's done. The part of the cut line that went into the transmission, is reused, just loosen and turn 180 degrees when tighten and install the compression fitting. It really is that simple, Matter of fact it is so slick and easy to install I already have two people that want the set-up for their trucks. I never thought about selling them as a self contained kit for others, but since I have two already wanting one, I will make up several more and offer them to others also. I set my cooler up so it will give a visual warning the cooler is running, just an indicator light that comes on with the fan.

This isn't the best picture, but it shows the cooler installed on the truck



#ad




The cooler will add about 2 quarts of ATF to the system. It will add to the cooling system all the time, keeping temps about 20-30 degrees cooler then pre-installation temperatures. But once the temperatures rise to over 160 the fan will kick in and add a considerable more amount of cooling. This is just perfect for those that tow or haul heavy loads, on the highways the air flow is sufficient to keep the transmission oil cool. But get off the highway and into stop and go traffic, and those temps start climbing up there. this is when the fan will kick in and cool things off. Towing heavy loads puts alot of stress on the cooling system, hills, city traffic and backing are all very hard on the transmission and will get those ATF temperatures up there very quick, this cooler will help control automatic transmission fluid temperatures, and do it automatically.

 

[edgrim]

Very Cool

Great idea y-knot, workmanship looks prefect, I would be interested in one of those as well. Could you PM me prices?

 

[y-knot]

Edgrim,

Thanks everyone for the compliment, I am very pleased with the way it turned out. I have a few "friends" that want a cooler for there trucks, which I will work on in the coming days. As for the others that might want a "Super Cooler" as my wife has called it, I will be offering them for sale around the first of the year. I want to take the time and get everything in order, I want the sale to be as nice as the product. This cooler drops the transmission temps 20-30 degrees without the fan, that is great for those that tow or haul heavy loads. The lower operating temps while driving on the highway is great, but the best part is with you get into stop and go traffic or trailer backing, you have the extra cooling capacity of the cooler with the fan. It will automatically switch on at 160 degrees, and will supply that extra cooling you need while moving slow or backing, when little or know air is moving thru the radiator. I built it with overkill in mind, I got the best cooler on the market, use all stainless hardware and the hoses are more then capable. They are the most important pieces of the cooler kit, know one wants to break down while towing on the highway so I used the best. When I do offer this Super Cooler kit, It will be 100% complete and ready to install. The lines will be made up and all fittings sealed and in place. The intent is to offer a great cooler that anyone can install, just drill three holes in your transfer case skid plate, connect the two lines and hook-up the 12V. These kits will have everything need to complete the installation except for the drill and 3/8 bit, and those can be included.

I wanted to take this time to get geared up and offer a great product at the best price available. I am working on getting the mounts powder coated, and securing the best prices for the materials.



If you would like me to contact you when the coolers are ready, PM me with your name and i will get back to you. Dave

 

[y-knot]

For those with 4WD and no transfer case skid plate or for those with 2WD trucks, I have made a mount for you. It uses the same basic mount pictured without the kick down for the transfer case mounting. Instead the new mount will attach to the frame and tuck the mount up tight for protection. This mount is secured with five (5) SS self drilling screws, which are included as is the bit holder. Both kits will come 100% ready to install, all hoses are pre-made and fittings sealed and installed. Only tools needed will be a drill and two wrenches to tighten the transmission line fittings.