P/S Cooler

[adsm08]

So a few years ago I needed a new rad and the guy at the store just pulled one off the shelf. Gave me one for an auto trans.

Didn't think anything of it at the time, but now I need all new power steering lines. I was thinking about plumbing in the trans cooler section of the radiator to the low pressure side of the power steering system to use as a fluid cooler.

I know its gonna more than double the fluid requirement, but that's just that much cooler the fluid can get.

Thoughts?

 

[nate09]

why do you need to cool your power steering fluid?

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

Easy mod.
Get a new high pressure line and replace it accordingly.
Using fuel line or similar pressure hose(not vacuum hose), plumb from the return side of the box to a barbed fitting on the lower trans cooler fitting, using another barbed fitting from the upper trans cooler fitting, run another hose to the bottom of the PS reservoir on the pump. Don't forget to use hose clamps, they are needed even though it is the low pressure hose.

Since your somewhat there, you might also consider the Saginaw pump swap for the ultimate steering set-up.(there's a write-up in the tech library)

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

why do you need to cool your power steering fluid?

Judging by the pic his avatar pic, he really doesn't need it. Would just be for cheap insurance. Since he has a extra free cooler why not. Can't hurt anything.

On a truck like mine where the PS pump has to really work to turn big tires, that fluid will get pretty hot. Then it's a really useful upgrade.

 

[bigcountry]

i agree why do you need a P/S cooler? its not a race truck nor a truck turning huge tires?..... but hey if you want to do it go for it and if it works even better no big deal its your truck man mod it any way you want!!

 

[adsm08]

Yeah, I know I don't NEED it right now. But I do already have the cooler in place, and I do already need the lines. I figured it would be a cheap, easy mod, that can't hurt anything, and I do plan on getting some 33's on it one of these days. Then I already have it when I get my bigger tires.

Plus my pump is old and has been poorly maintained for most of its life. Cooler fluid lubes and pressurizes better. Might make my pump last a bit longer, at least until I get the 4.0.

 

[RangerSVT]

I say do it, great idea and you already have the cooler, the most expensive part
SVT

 

[Shran]

i agree why do you need a P/S cooler? its not a race truck nor a truck turning huge tires?..... but hey if you want to do it go for it and if it works even better no big deal its your truck man mod it any way you want!!

There are a lot of vehicles that come stock with power steering coolers. The '74 Bronco that I got my 302 out of had one.

I am definitely going to do a cooler on mine eventually with the Saginaw pump. I am going to use the Duff 302 swap radiator which has a tranny cooler, and I'm using a manual trans with my 302 swap, so that will be my power steering cooler.

If you guys wheel your truck hard, you probably know that it sucks when your power steering overheats and the fluid gets aerated.

 

[juggaloscorpio]

why is it that some places show p/s coolers as transmission coolers?? i know the fluids are almost identical but arent they different? only asking because im looking for a tranny oil cooler on my 04 edge that isnt a cheap p.o.s. and since im posting might as well ask what is the "super cool" option i keep getting asked if i have?? is it where you have an extra fan cooling the fluid or what?

 

[adsm08]

why is it that some places show p/s coolers as transmission coolers?? i know the fluids are almost identical but arent they different? only asking because im looking for a tranny oil cooler on my 04 edge that isnt a cheap p.o.s. and since im posting might as well ask what is the "super cool" option i keep getting asked if i have?? is it where you have an extra fan cooling the fluid or what?

In all Ford applications the Power steering fluid an the A/T fluid are the same stuff.

 

[juggaloscorpio]

i know the fluids are but what about the coolers are they the same as well?? and again what the heck is the super cool option?? everywhere i go to look for a cooler asks me that and i dont have a clue what it is and cant buy a cooler until i know if i have or not

 

[Ozwynn]

this is a good mod..... I would do the saginaw swap at the same time and put a filter on it.

 

[RangerSVT]

Super cool option I believe is a vehicle equipped with the factory oil cooler...or the cooler you will be purchasing is either larger or more efficient at cooling the fluid
SVT

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

anyone has done an engine oil cooler?

 

[Ozwynn]

anyone has done an engine oil cooler?

common on a boosted engine. just don't use the radiator transmission cooler for an oil cooler.... you want to keep your engine oil cooler than that.