Is anyone using an aftermarket trans cooler?
What kind/model, and what issues did you run into?

I have an '01 4x4 with the 5.9, and I am going to use it to tow, so I am going to put a big trans-cooler on it, and want to benifit from others experiance..........

 

I am going to order the one from Summit real soon, it is real cheap and probably good quality.

 

got mine at advance auto... 49.00 heavy duty they have a few on there website and im sure they will have some in the store or any local parts store.. Did it help sure , was a easy job took the top line off used a pipe cutter cut it in half put a lip on it and installed the hoses to and from the cooler.. This is an easy job for cheap insurance..
If you do alot of towing look into a 180 tstat stant super stat (lifetime warranty)

 

Do you need to do anything with the engine computer because of the lower t-stat? Does it affect anything? Or is it no difference at all to the engine computer?

 

How much weight are you guys towing with a 1500? My math after weighing my truck comes up with an actual trailer weight of about 6000lbs.
Anyone with actual experiance using a 1500 to tow?

 

on change at all.. caution !!!! my 96 has a obd II yours have a obd III you mite throw a code with the cooler tstat , for some it works for others it was to cool , depends on location , but i was just on advance auto website to see if they have a 180 for your year and yes they do even 160 but thats to low engine mite end up in open loop and your MPG will drop.. when i tow with my 96 with the OEM 195 tstat it would run 220 to 230 range but when i ran the 180 got it as high as just a tad over 200 <-- like that a hell alot better..

 

id haul farm stuff , tractors , hay , the most i pulled was 7 grand way to much for the truck..lol... i think the max is 5,000 lbs you can tow then combine weight of truck and trailer 10,000 max maybe 11.5 max....

 

In my opinion, the best cooler is one with its own thermostat and integrated fan. That way you have decent cooling while you not even moving (or moving very slowly, like when wheeling or sitting in stop/go traffic). Check out Flex-a-lite 45951 or 45953 (depending on what type of connection you want to use). This is hands down the best way to go. You'll have to get creative with some mounting fabrication though, but it will fit next to the radiator in most cases.

But, if you just want a regular cooler, try the Flex-a-lite 4232. It is rated at 32,000 GVW, and is 10.5" x 21" x 1.5" That is what I am currently running, and it out-performs any other trans cooler I have tried. I first ran a small tube/fin rated at about 15,000 GVW (thinking that was more then enough for the weight of my truck and any load I might haul), and my trans temps never changed at all. Then I ran a plate/fin (which is supposed to be better cooling capability then a tube/fin) rated at about 20,000 GVW, and I saw about 5 degree difference during normal operating conditions. When it got real hot outside, or I towed/hauled loads, there was no difference at all. Now, I run the 4232 which is a tube/fin rated at 32,000 GVW, and it is by far the best. After installing it, I see temps about 35 degrees lower then normal during normal operating conditions, and when it is hot outside or I haul a load, I am about 15 degrees cooler then what I usually see. Ialso installed a larger capacity alum pan (2 qts extra capacity), and that improved temps even more.

I know that seems extreme, but believe me, the bigger the cooler the better. I highly recommend you install a temp gauge too so you know not only when you are getting too hot, but also how well your cooler is actually doing.

 

I have put 2 tranny coolers and 1 engine oil cooler. 1 tranny cooler was stock. Ya I does help. I do alot of towing in high heat and tow high weight. I have 1 behind the rad. and 1tranny and 1 engine oil behind a seprete fan, only for them. I have heard 10deg lower you get your tranny you add 10 years. I bought mine from pepboys. You should check out summitracing.com or jegs.com for some deals.

 

what size is the return line from the cooler? I'd like to grab a few more feet of it and run it through my stock one and my good one.