Transmission Cooler

[jimnance]

While crawling under my '93 I spotted a transmission cooler mounted on the underside of the bed. I think this an aftermarket cooler that the previous owner installed. Is it aftermarket in that location? Is it of any benefit given the lack of airflow at that location?

 

[boatpuller]

That was a dealer or factory installed option which raised the towing capacity of an automatic truck by 2000 pounds if I remember correctly, there is an electric fan that comes on when the fluid gets hot enough, so it makes it's own airflow.

 

[paccool]

If that cooler is a dealer add on as most were, it sits under the bed, drivers side at the front area of the bed. These are fan cooled and have a thermostat to turn them on when the fluid hits around 185 degrees. Mine doesn't turn on unless I'm towing. When it turns on you can hear it if your hearing is good.



Look to see if there are a couple of wires going to it.

 

[jimnance]

Yep, that's where it is located. It does have the two wires going to it. I suppose the fan must be on the other side of the cooler. Cool.



I keep finding neat stuff like air bags, frame drilled where a fifth wheel hitch mounting rail was installed. It also has a Reese Cat V pull hitch installed. The tow rating on it is big, and regular receivers don't even fit. They are too small.



Thanks Guys!

 

[mysteryman]

under bed trans cooler

They were dealer add ons. They were available threw the parts dept...

I can not remember who made them. If anyone knows please enlighten us all. .

I looked in my vendor book but can'rt seem to find it there either...

If that cooler is a dealer add on as most were, it sits under the bed, drivers side at the front area of the bed. These are fan cooled and have a thermostat to turn them on when the fluid hits around 185 degrees. Mine doesn't turn on unless I'm towing. When it turns on you can hear it if your hearing is good.



Look to see if there are a couple of wires going to it.

 

[backroad]

The originals have been totally discontinued, but if you are interested in a similar one, try your Summit Racing catalog. "DERALE" makes a 25,000 GVW cooler, with fan and has an optional temperature sender to kick it on at 185 and off at 165. They have one that is especially made for the Dodge and it has the 8mm fittings to match. I have one on my FORDGE and it's always worked great. I've also got mine mounted under the bed in front of the lleft rear duals.

 

[mysteryman]

UPDATE: dealer installed under bed trans coolers parts

The good news is that I found 32 fan/motor assemblies. I bought them and should have them in my hands by next week... The bill for them was a bit stiff but I kind of like original parts that fit... I have 3 trucks with dead fan motors.

And many of my friends do as well. . I expect that they will be spoken for before they even get here. .



What happens to the fan motors is, The motor gets water,salt ,dirt ect blown onto it as it travels down the road in the rain and snow. The motor sits horizontally allowing the road crap and water to sit on the top of the motor and run down the armature shaft. . The top bearing is a ball bearing. It gets jammed by the dirt and rusted by the water/salt. . The motor either locks up or turns very hard... The motors are permanent magnet type motors. They do not have much if any starting torque... If the bearings are tight running or jammed the motor won't start. If the motor does not start and is left with power applied to the armature. The windings on the armature will over heat causing the coating on the wires to burn of. This causes the windings to short out to one another... Then party over or a fire starts!



I took a few of the motors apart. . They are not repairable because of the way they were assembled . It is also impossible to get the fan off the shaft with out breaking the fan... The fans are made from glass filled nylon and have an aluminum hub insert... Salt water causes the aluminum to expand locking it to the shaft... .



The 32 I bought are all I could find left at the vendor. The vendor said that he could make more for us . The minimum order is 250 pieces... I have no intentions of putting in an order for that many. . I will have enough now to last me the rest of my life. Besides that I never drive my trucks in salt water. I use Junkers in the winter time for bad weather



I will post when I figure out where the rest of the parts in the unit came from. And if there are any parts left anywhere to be found.

They were dealer add ons. They were available threw the parts dept...

I can not remember who made them. If anyone knows please enlighten us all. .

I looked in my vendor book but can'rt seem to find it there either...