Aux. transmission cooler and/or larger oil pan update?

mtnrafter · 05-26-2011, 04:47 PM

I've read alot of the threads on these topics and was wondering if anyone has any long term results and/or thoughts about these. I'm debating whether or not to go with the mag-tec, or similar, trans. oil pan or add an aux. trans. cooler up front. In addition to performance and reliability, I'm also concerned with the reduced ground clearance on the larger pan (I have a 2005 EB SMB with 16" wheels on 285/75/16 tires) as well as any clearance issues installing an aux. cooler up front (and probably to the right of) the radiator on the '05 Ford van as space is an issue up there.

I tow and am off road quite a bit. No problems now but am looking at a very busy summer. Thanks in advance for any replies.
Jay

TwoVans · 05-26-2011, 05:29 PM

I've got both. I did the oil pan first, but did not notice any change in temps.

I then added the aux cooler with an electric fan and the temps got a little better.

If I was to do it over, I would go aux cooler first. Then, only do the pan if I felt I needed more.

carringb · 05-26-2011, 05:35 PM

The Tru-Cool Max 40,000 GVW cooler will mount right up in place of the stock cooler. All that is required is trimming the pass side cooler support. The top of the Tru-Cool will then bolt to the upper radiator support, and the bottom can be secured using the included straps. It will require covering the grill in the winter however, or the transmission will never get up to temp.

etbadger · 05-26-2011, 07:20 PM

6.0L van transmissions have a thermostat and bypass routing to prevent overcooling via the cooler. No need to block off a larger cooler or get one with a built-in bypass/thermostat.

Also consider a larger power-steering cooler, the current one is very small, and driving slow off-road puts a fair bit of strain on the power-steering fluid.

We have a Tru-Cool max transmission cooler and moved the old transmission cooler to the power-steering fluid line.

-e

BMWBILO · 05-26-2011, 08:43 PM

I have a 1999 E350 with the 7.3 Powerstroke. The tranny is a
4R100. From what I've heard there were a few years that the
torque convertors were not the best. Mine made a bunch of
noise so I had it replaced. While the tranny was out I had the
mechanic go through it and beef it up. He said it looked like
new inside but I figured why not upgrade it while it was out.
I think my van had around 70000 miles on it. My mechanic
sugested installing a 4x4 oil pan on the tranny. I guess the
Ford pickups that were 4x4 have a bigger oil pan. He had a
used one and didn't even charge me for it. I think the tranny
holds a couple more quarts of fluid now.

Aldercrest · 05-26-2011, 09:54 PM

I put on the deeper tranmission pan last year and haven't had any issues with ground clearance. The long rear end on the EB has been a larger obstacle than anything forward of the rear axle, and actually that hasn't stopped me from doing anything I wanted to do. I got around the White Rim Road without scraping, anyway!

carringb · 05-26-2011, 10:10 PM

BTW - if you go with a Tru-Cool MAx, skip the thermostatic bypass option. Its a POS. Mine never worked (would bypass no matter how hot), and it appears that most other buyers had the same problem. Hence the reason I run a grill insert winter, which doubles up as a rock guard.

mtnrafter · 05-27-2011, 08:18 AM

Thanks all for the great replies. I'm taking this info. to the mechanic next week.

IheartDieselVans · 05-31-2011, 12:34 PM

I'm seeing trans temps via scangauge in the 215-220 range on long climbs at highway speeds, with ambient air temps in the 40s. I can only imagine what they will climb to when it gets HOT here this summer....so I'm also looking in to a trans cooler.

The only supplier I could find for the Max-Cool was on Ebay, and it specified a 3/8 hose fitting. Apparently the 6.0L uses a 1/2" fitting, has anyone found out otherwise?

I was also considering finding an old trans cooler from a junked truck somewhere, apparently they're much larger and would be very likely to be compatible since it's the same trans.

If anyone has a good online source for a Max-Cool that would be super helpful...

Skywagon · 05-31-2011, 12:56 PM

On long grades or prolonged slow 4 wheeling, my transmission temps top out at about 230- 233 deg. It doesn't matter if it's Moab in Summer or Donner Pass in January. The ambient OAT doesn't seem to have anything to do with it. One would THINK it should, but it doesn't.
What it DOES do though, is to return to normal temps (180-185 deg. for mine) more quickly in the cooler OATs.
Bill