thanks for your response.
did you notice anything "different" once you put the transcooler package?
what was needed?
I understand from my mechanic that I need the actual transcooler and the transline.
So...with that said, what's the process?
I'm going to take a chance here and assume that the transmission would need to be cooled/run off the cooling system off the radiator? does taht affect radiator performance? what should I be cautious about when adding a transcooler and the transline?
is the line an upgrade or simply "adding another line"?
Where do they mount the cooler unit?
Ive called Ford and they tell me the unit costs roughly $380 from Ford. it is a "ford unit" and that I'd have to include or buy 1 transline.
What all that means in specifics is what I'm looking for.
advise here on...............
Yea..I don't to dealer prices lol.
I bought a transmission cooler (this one is about 3x as big as you need but since you can't really overcool a transmission I bought it..)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000C3BBKS/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I then bought some extra trans cooler line because that trans cooler doesn't come with enough
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HE6H3S/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i03?ie=UTF8&psc=1
You need this to fill your transmission back up (has to be filled from underneath
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000JFJMFK/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i02?ie=UTF8&psc=1
And a suction gun to pump the fluid into the transmission..
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MD4YNY/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Its actually really easy to do even though it looks like a little intimidating.
About the install:
On these vehicles (and most for that matter) without the tow package the transmission fluid flows through a separate section of the engine radiator. The fluid is HEATED here to get up to tempertature in the winter and then COOLED when it gets too hot.
To install a cooler you ideally want to put the cooler after the stock radiator. So fluid flows out of the transmission to the stock radiator, to the cooler you installed, then back to the transmission. This is the best way to do it for where you live and what you want to do so I am not even going to go into the other ways.
This setup allows the cooler to work most efficiently while still allowing the fluid to get warm enough on cold days. ( I drove in TONS of sub 10 degree days this winter without so much as a hiccup).
to install the cooler:
It is pretty straightforward. The cooler comes with little zip tie like fasteners that you put through the stock radiator and push the aftermarket one over the zip tie ties and put the end on them...kinda hard to explain but simple to do. You then cut the COLD transmission line (start up the vehicle and let it run for 20min or so and you will be able to feel which line is the colder one). If you decide to do the cooler let me know and I can look under my truck but if I remember correctly it is the top line.
Then fasten one end of the rubber hoses to one of the ends you cut and the other rubber hose to the other end. Then, start the vehicle again and wait 5 minutes to fill up the transmission with more fluid. (The process to fill up the trans can be found on youtube) It isn't hard but it requires some technique.
What ford is pricing out for you is a stock tow package trans cooler. What that would entail is replacing trans cooler lines and running things differently because the line routing is different from non tow package models. That's why it costs so much more.
That being said the performace will also be worse, because the cooler I put in for example is like 3x as large as the stock tow package cooler. It is way overkill for the vehicle but hey, better safe than sorry.
I've towed 7k pounds with my Explorer...no issues other than wishing I had some more torque but the V6 isn't really meant for towing that much so i can't complain.
Let me know if you have more questions I know this was alot to take in.
