transmission cooler

[dru]

i was contemplating a transmission cooler to keep transmission fluid temps down while towing.

i was looking at the radiator today and noticed a small radiator about 1'x1' mounted in front of the radiator behind the grill on the passenger side. Is this a transmission cooler or oil cooler or what?

thanks

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

its a transmission cooler. id replace it with an even larger one (something from a fullsize pickup or an aftermarket cooler).

 

[dru]

great. do most auto Rangers with the 3.0 come with them? i bought this truck used in 04 and i thought it was bottom of the line stock (base rims, rollup windows, 3.73 gears). I just assumed i wouldnt have transmission cooler and was surprised to find it today.

thanks

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

you actually have 2 transmission coolers. you have one inside the radiator, and one mounted in front of the radiator. not all trucks come equipped with the one mounted in front of the radiator, though it seems to be very common on newer models.

leave the cooler thats mounted inside the radiator alone. just remove and replace the external cooler with something larger and you'll be good to go.

 

[dru]

I think i may just stick with this one. I really only tow 1 or 2 times a month for less than 4 miles. The only time I tow more than that is taking the outboard in to get its annual service 15-20 miles round trip. I could probably get away with no transmission cooler at all. I think ill take the money and do a complete flush. Although, i dropped the pan about 2 years to swap the filter and change what fluid i could and yesterday i checked the fluid dipstick and it looked brand spankin new, pink hue clear no black crap at all.

thanks

 

[rurouni20xx]

tranny fluid and filter service interval is 80k, unless you have shift problems and everything looks copacetic id say go w/ it.

 

[BeaterMan]

when i used to own autos, i'd change that fluid every 30k no question. seen some bad stuff when people didn't change it regularly. i agree with wicked, replace that external for a larger one, heat=bad for autos the cooler you can make that fluid, the better you are.