Do I need a transmission Cooler?

bluebombersfan · Mar 8, 2016

I just bought a 2012 3.7L f150. I will be towing a 7 by 16 foot cargo trailer. Do I need a transmission cooler? Is there one already installed?
The trailer weighs about 2150 lbs empty. I am estimating no more then 4000 lbs full. My Manual says I can tow 5500 lbs but I don't know if there are any mods of any sort that I should do.

RonD · Mar 8, 2016

If you have an automatic transmission then yes, you need an add-on transmission cooler.
All automatics come with a trans heater/cooler that is part of the radiator.

Yet automatics still fail primarily because of overheating, hmmm................

So towing or not I would add a trans cooler at some point, but if towing then do it now.

Some F-150s could be ordered with Towing packages, you can get your VIN number and check with a ford dealer to see if you have that package, most towing packages came with add-on trans cooler, and some with trans temp gauge on dash

Derale trans cooler kit(hoses and clamps) should run about $57, money well spent
You can get smaller cheaper coolers, but at $2,500-$4,000 for trans swap/rebuild, might as well go big

bluebombersfan · Apr 5, 2016

A buddy of mine pointed out that because I have a gauge measuring the transmission temperature that this automatically means I have a transmission cooler. Is this correct?
When I bought my truck I noticed there were 2 temperature guages

RonD · Apr 5, 2016

bluebombersfan said:
A buddy of mine pointed out that because I have a gauge measuring the transmission temperature that this automatically means I have a transmission cooler. Is this correct?
When I bought my truck I noticed there were 2 temperature guages

That's too model specific for me

The trans temp gauge may be an option when "towing" package is installed.
And towing package "often" includes 2nd trans cooler, BUT................

It may just be a trailer hitch and temp gauge so you can watch trans burn up, lol.

Best to have a look

AllanD · Apr 12, 2016

When you add an air-to-oil cooler in front of the radiator you want to determine flow direction through the lines.

It may not seem important, but running the trans fluid too cool it can create issues as serious as running too hot, the way to avoid this is to run the fluid through the air-to-oil cooler first to cool it as much as possible then run it through the oil-to-water cooler than back to the trans...

While this could theoretically result in cold return oil cooling the radiator coolant, in practice this won't happen because the heat exchangers are not that efficient.

bluebombersfan · Jul 11, 2016

I talked to my mechanic and he said he could install a transmission cooler for around $150 Labour. The question now for me is which one to install. The one he has to install will cost me about $240 but comes with a warranty. Or I can buy one at u-haul for $80 which he said he could install but it comes with no warranty.
So now I have to figure out if I should spend the extra money for the one that comes with warranty or just buy the $80 one from u-haul with no warranty.
Any suggestions? Which one should I install??? :dunno:

Doofy · Jul 11, 2016

Never seen a transmission cooler fail but am sure they do. I would simply buy the best one I could afford.

adsm08 · Jul 11, 2016

I would have sucked it up and just bought the truck with the factory aux cooler on it in the first place.

Just my opinion.

wildbill23c · Jul 27, 2016

adsm08 said:
I would have sucked it up and just bought the truck with the factory aux cooler on it in the first place.

Just my opinion.

I agree. ~$240 for a transmission cooler, $2k+ for a rebuilt transmission.

Having the A4LD rebuilt in my 88 B2 this coming week, having the transmission cooler replaced, all of the lines replaced as well, never know what may have been contaminated with debris over the years of the current transmission failing. May look into having 2 coolers installed, or one and adding a fan to it.

Has anyone added a transmission temp gauge to one of these older transmissions, and if so how would I do it?

Do I need a transmission Cooler?

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