2000 4x4 5.9 Black (the fastest color)

I open the hook and in front of the radiator is what I figure to be my trans cooler. it's about the exact height of the radiator and only about 3" on either side smaller. that seem pretty big to be a stock one? it's also "cleaner" then the rest of the engine compartment like it's newer.

the truck also has a brake controller installed by the previous owner, I think it has the 3.55 gears as well, which is why I think this is not the stock cooler since it looks like he did some towing with the truck.

from what I described, do I have a stock trans cooler or was it replaced with a larger one?

 

What you described sounds like the A/C condenser. Trace the lines coming in/out of it, and you'll know for sure if it is related to the trans or not. A stock aux trans cooler that came with the towing package option is very small (like 8"x10") and is positioned between the radiator and the condenser in that narrow gap.

3.55 gears are the most common factory installed gear ratio, almost every truck had 3.55. If it had a factory tow package, it would have had 3.90 or 4.10.

 

well...... if I could find the "tard" face I would put a couple down.

I will check the lines when I get home tonight. I just thought that the 3.55 would be nicer since the truck would not be "roaring" going 70 on the highway with O.D. off.

thanks for the help.

 

trans cooler is built into the radiator on our trucks. some people add on a seperate trans cooler, but if you take care of your transmission, it aint necessary.

 

That's the stock trans cooler you're referring too, and all trucks have that if they have an auto transmission. He's asking about a stock auxiliary (secondary) cooler. Some trucks came factory with this second auxiliary trans cooler, which is as I described.

A seperate trans cooler is absolutely necessary if you do any of the following with your truck: offroad, tow, haul loads, other extreme driving conditions
Just taking care of your trans is not sufficient. You need a secondary trans cooler.

 

I don't do a LOT of towing, maybe my buddies boat 2 times a year and only hour or so trips.

the tranny has been acting a little "weird" lately which is what got me under the hood looking at things.

 

My advice is, if you tow even once a year, your better off having the extra cooling. All it takes is one time to overheat your trans. And guess when it will happen, the one time your towing a boat or a camper. Not the best time to have your trans go out on you. That's just my opinion, and how I reason setting up my own vehicle. Also, where I live, towing a boat or a camper almost always means in the mountains. Even a small 3000lb camper can be hard on the trans when your going up a 9% grade getting over a big mountain pass. If you tow across flat ground, then you could probably let it go as is.

 

That is not always true unfortunately for me. Mine has the factory tow package with 3:55's.

 

Same here =(

 

the aux trans cooler will have 2 metal feeder lines that run at about a 30* degree downward angle and go between the radiator and the black A/C condenser on the passenger side as you look at the front of the truck with the hood popped.