Adding cooling fan to Stock TransCooler

[thebrakeman]

fyi,
Living where you are (versus me in relatively flat Michigan with summer temps rarely in the 90s), I agree you can benefit from more cooling, planning for a big boat.

But you should know something about the 6-speed auto in your '06.

I also purchased a ScangageII so I can monitor TFT while towing my camper (~4500 lbs loaded). Just know that you temps are not much different than mine, in a cooler climate. Talking to others with the Ford 6-speed (in Explorers, Mountaineers, and F150s), 175-180F is the norm for that trans, without a trailer or significant grade. Check for yourself when you are just cruising around town or on the highway without a load. it will settle in at 175-180F.

With the camper last weekend (ambient temps only in the low/mid-70s), TFT was 200-205F most of the time, with occasional peak at 218F. The auto trans wanted to hold 5th most of the time when I let it choose, with occasional drops to 6th when really flat, and some pulls to 4th. Scangage said the convertor was anywhere beween locked and slipping up to 70rpm when cruising. Locking out the OD (holding 4th) did not help the temps and the convertor would still slip some.

So just be aware that this trans in general runs hotter than what you typically saw with the 4-speeds and 5-speeds others are reporting here. From what I read, bad things start happening at 240F (varnishes start to form). So I'll also be considering more cooling, and probably changing the fluid every other year. Unfortunately, we have no trans dipstick on this truck!

PS - Be aware that the Scangage socket blocks the e-brake release. You'll have to unplug if you use the e-brake.
PPS - I put the velcro right between the tach and speedo on the steering column. Run the cord out the righthand jack and down the rightside of the steering column (in that little gap). Ran it along the bottom of the trim (ziptied to 2-3 metal braces near your knees). After the socket is plugged in, the excess can be stuffed into that gap above the e-brake release.
PPPS - Play around with the custom background color, and you'll find one close to our instrument cluster color.

I had to get some special codes from customer service for convertor slip. The %-slip would not work for me, so he gave me codes for slip in rpm (convertor input rpm minus convertor output rpm). Let me know if you want those codes and I can look them up at home.

 

[Ranger379]

i have larger tires, witch are harder to turn that small stock tires. i BABY the gas pedal and when i go home i have to travel up a small hill. with the tranny fan on it will hit 200* easy and that was in winter.... summer it gets hotter. im glad i have my fan for that reason. the cooler will help, but the slower your going, the less cooling it will be doing. so i too highly reccomend one with a big fan. it would be a waste to spend 60 bucks on with without a fan, realize your tranny still gets hot, and end up buying another fan for 150 with a fan. but thats my opinion. if you opt for a fan, make sure its a reversible fan (pusher OR puller)- gives you more mounting options

 

[NoFear95]

fyi,
Living where you are (versus me in relatively flat Michigan with summer temps rarely in the 90s), I agree you can benefit from more cooling, planning for a big boat.

But you should know something about the 6-speed auto in your '06.

I also purchased a ScangageII so I can monitor TFT while towing my camper (~4500 lbs loaded). Just know that you temps are not much different than mine, in a cooler climate. Talking to others with the Ford 6-speed (in Explorers, Mountaineers, and F150s), 175-180F is the norm for that trans, without a trailer or significant grade. Check for yourself when you are just cruising around town or on the highway without a load. it will settle in at 175-180F.

With the camper last weekend (ambient temps only in the low/mid-70s), TFT was 200-205F most of the time, with occasional peak at 218F. The auto trans wanted to hold 5th most of the time when I let it choose, with occasional drops to 6th when really flat, and some pulls to 4th. Scangage said the convertor was anywhere beween locked and slipping up to 70rpm when cruising. Locking out the OD (holding 4th) did not help the temps and the convertor would still slip some.

So just be aware that this trans in general runs hotter than what you typically saw with the 4-speeds and 5-speeds others are reporting here. From what I read, bad things start happening at 240F (varnishes start to form). So I'll also be considering more cooling, and probably changing the fluid every other year. Unfortunately, we have no trans dipstick on this truck!

PS - Be aware that the Scangage socket blocks the e-brake release. You'll have to unplug if you use the e-brake.
PPS - I put the velcro right between the tach and speedo on the steering column. Run the cord out the righthand jack and down the rightside of the steering column (in that little gap). Ran it along the bottom of the trim (ziptied to 2-3 metal braces near your knees). After the socket is plugged in, the excess can be stuffed into that gap above the e-brake release.
PPPS - Play around with the custom background color, and you'll find one close to our instrument cluster color.

I had to get some special codes from customer service for convertor slip. The %-slip would not work for me, so he gave me codes for slip in rpm (convertor input rpm minus convertor output rpm). Let me know if you want those codes and I can look them up at home.

I was doing some reading last night and the 6R60 doesn't even send fluid to the cooler until the transmission reaches 185-195 degrees. I have also noticed around town that flat land it will run 175-185 under light load.

So im going to hold off on adding an additional cooler until I do some pulling. I know the "slipping" causes the excessive heat. Plus you need to remove the front grill to access the cooler...you think this would of been a bit easier to get to.

From my reading on the ford message boards indicates that if you can keep it under 220 degrees your in good shape. Im going to keep an eye on it. Im sure the temps would of been better had I not been attacking a 6% grade a 75+ mph with the ac blasting.

I ran the wires for the scangauge behind the dash, up through the gauge cluster, double side taped it right under the informational display. Looks good and doesnt block anything. An I changed the color to green to match the display on the dash...its slick for $100.