NockedNLocked

Was there any spillage of trans. fluid when you did the swap? Did you just have to trim the upper clip? Any other things to know going into it? Thinking the exact same thing about piece of mind and cheap insurance.

Shaggy1970

There was maybe five drops of spillage (that was negligible), and about three ounces in the old cooler that I drained out. On these tranny's there is no dipstick with a fill port in the engine compartment and the manual says that you should never need to add any fluid to the tranny. Having said that, under the truck there is a fill port and a dipstick, I crawled under and added about four ounces. If you need help or need any info on how to get to it and where to fill, just ask, your supposed to do it while the motor is hot and the engine is running. There is no trimming of anything required, the plastic housing is actually made for a much larger cooler so it fits in there like a champ.

NockedNLocked

Thanks for the update. Just pulled the trigger on 1 for 95 delivered so I am going to tackle this soon. Figure I'll just put back in the same amount that is lost but with new fluid. Will update when complete.

cnb8869

I also just installed an OEM cooler. Truck does not have the tow package - so there was not cooler there to begin with.
3 parts needed - total of about $100. Driving today for about 20 miles -- the temp didn't get up to "normal" until after about 20 minutes of driving.

Surely I dont need to have the computer reflashed or anything?

Can you "overcool" a tranny?

PS -- I only lost about 1/4 cup. I didn't refill. If you're worried about it - you could plumb in the cooler and outlet, then fill with fluid before connecting in inlet (top).

NockedNLocked

I just did the change out as well. I lost about 4 ounces out of the old cooler. Put new fluid back in the new cooler before reconnecting the top line. I also checked the tranny fluid level a few days after driving with the new cooloer installed (be ready to burn your hand as the dip stick and fill hole is under the truck next to the exhaust). From my understanding of these transmission is they cannot be over-cooled as they don't even utilize the cooler until trans. temp gets over around 195 and then it starts cycling fluid through the cooler.

cnb8869

Did you notice the tranny temp being really cold?

I guess I never paid attention before, but it took about 10 minutes before mine even got off the C .

NockedNLocked

Yes, it takes a while to warm up. I look at the tranny temp gauge on the center screen (believe it is under truck apps but only certain years have it) rather than the needle gauge in the instrument cluster.

Feathermerchant

The more efficient these transmissions get the longer it takes them to warm up. The 6 spd can lock the torque convertor in every gear.
If you make a couple of WOT 0=60's it will warm up quickly.
Or idle stopped in traffic.

fordnash

Did this help out? Im seeing high temps towing my 6000# trailer on dirt road in the mountains and long steep grades

Eric Kleven

While we're bringing this one back: Yes, you can 'overcool' a transmission. Did yours have the thermostat in the trans lines? The massive cooling capacity is needed for what these trucks tow ratings is, if you hook up the (probably) 8,000 pounds your truck is rated for, you need that much cooler. The other 99.4% of the time, you don't need anywhere close to that much cooling capacity. That + EPA/CAFE/fuel economy mandates requires a high and consistent operating temperature to hit their goals. That's why they put the oil thermostat in the transmission cooler lines.


I like mine 'cuz it gets cold as @%$# in Minnesota for half the year, and my '97 mountaineer with the tow package and aux trans cooler would get REAL mad at -20f if I didn't put cardboard over the aux trans cooler. I'd never heard a transmission howl in pain before, it's truly terrifying. Now I have an 07 F150 with the thermostat and I don't have to care about all that mess. Just get in and go and everything runs like it should.

If you're worried about cooling capacity or lack thereof, probably the best thing anyone can do is give their cooler a real good cleaning.