Installing tranny cooler (I searched)

[ZachMan]

Ok, I am about to order a tranny cooler. I was told by Monmix that the B&M is a good unit so I will probably order it, but I will have to make my own brackets. Is there any cooler that comes with a good mounting system or could I use the brackets off a factory cooler? I am just wondering how everyone mounted theirs and if they could get a few pics? I searched in a few different areas with no real luck on actual mounting advice, if there is a thread out there please post it.

Also how do the actual lines mount to the tranny to cool it?

Thanks, Zach

 

[ZachMan]

Nobody can help?

Anyone???

 

[stubborn1]

I never used brackets when I installed my tranny cooler. It came with 4 plastic zip tie type things with plastic pieces the size of a quarter that you use to sandwich the cooler to the front of the radiator. I inserted the plastic ties thru the cooler fins and then thru the radiator fins. After all four lines were thru the radiator fins, I installed the opposite side plastic cap thing on the zip tie and tightened them all up. Trim the extra length on the zip tie and you are good to go.

As far as connecting to the tranny lines, I bought adapters. One end screwed into the tranny cooler in the radiator, the other on the end of the line that came off the radiator tranny cooler. The line out from the radiator tranny cooler goes into the aftermarket tranny cooler. The line out of the aftermarket tranny cooler connects to the metal line that was previously attached to the radiator cooler.

If you have a factory tranny cooler already installed in front of the radiator, the hose connections are much easier.

 

[ZachMan]

Thank you.

I guess once I actually get it I will have a better idea how to install it. I can't believe I never thought of using zip ties.

Anyone else?

I figure this is a very good topic since there is sooo much talk about tranny issues and everything. I bet if more folks knew what all was involved on the install of a cooler it could help alot of people, me included. Once you know how to install one there is no reason to not have one.

 

[Glacier991]

Tranny coolers are a great idea. I'm of the belief that the reason I have 210K on my original A4LD is in part due to the fact I had the towing package, which gives you a cooler. When you do yours, why not take pictures and do a "how to" thread. It would be useful for others.

 

[ExplorerSportNu]

As far as connecting to the tranny lines, I bought adapters. One end screwed into the tranny cooler in the radiator, the other on the end of the line that came off the radiator tranny cooler. The line out from the radiator tranny cooler goes into the aftermarket tranny cooler. The line out of the aftermarket tranny cooler connects to the metal line that was previously attached to the radiator cooler.

If you have a factory tranny cooler already installed in front of the radiator, the hose connections are much easier.

Is there anyway you could send me a pic of this by anychance? I'm getting ready to install my permacool tranny cooler and a pic would help a million of what you described above.

ryan_deubel@yahoo.com

 

[ZachMan]

I'll take pics and do a write up when I install my B&M.

Yeah if anyone has or can take a few pics of how the cooler is attachd and the lines attached would be great, if not I'll get some up in a week or two.

 

[have2goski]

Don't know if it will help you but what i did is doubled up the factory cooler. Basically bought another factory cooler, then used some spacers and longer bolts to mount it the same way as the factory one. You can hopefully see what i am taking about in the pic. The lines are easy to run as the are all just hoses.

Again doesn't really help with an aftermarket unit but it is another alternative for adding a little more cooling capacity. Looks factory too.

I also am running an aux. filter which you may want to consider

As you can see it is mounted to the pass. frame rail. easy to get to and the plumbing is again just hoses. I change this filter every 3,000 miles when i change my engine oil. Helps keep clean, fresh fluid in the trans. The one i have is a perma cool unit that takes the same filters (FL-1A) our engines do. works great.

 

[IAmTodd]

Here's a pic of my setup. I too have the B&M cooler. It came with lines and fittings. One of them may fit the radiator fitting, but I didn't need it. I also have the aux. filter.

 

[ZachMan]

Here's a pic of my setup. I too have the B&M cooler. It came with lines and fittings. One of them may fit the radiator fitting, but I didn't need it. I also have the aux. filter.

Ok thats what I am going with.

How did you attach it? So you too still have the factory cooler also?

I am wanting to know why you guys mounted a secondary filter, is it really needed? Is there some kind of kit out there etc. for a second filter. Does the filter just filter out the tranny fluid? If so why change it evry 3k miles, do you add fluid every 3k too?

Please bear with me I am new to this tranny cooling stuff. I am just taking on alot at one time, lol.

 

[have2goski]

I think adding the filter is a good idea. Maybe not a must do but I can't come up with any ideas on how it could hurt your trans but there are a few benefits it may add


You can get filter kits thru Summit Racing Look under "Drivetrain" -then-> "Transmissions & Accessories" -then-> scroll for filter kits

There are a few different kits. I would say go for the Summit brand one if you just want the filter. Perma-cool makes one that comes with a temp gauge as well. A few guys here are running temp gauges on their trans.

I bought a perma cool kit that didn't come with the gauge and was priced a few bucks more than the Summit kit. It is the same thing for all intensive purposes.

You probably don't really need to change it every 3,000 miles. I do it for peice of mind. I figure if 5 bucks for the filter and a quart of tranny fluid makes me think it is helping then i am gonna do it. My logic is that the keys to tranny life are clean cool fluid. The coolers help on the temp and the aux filter helps with the clean. I simply take off the filter, fill the new one with new fluid and install it. then check the trans fluid level a few days later just to make sure everything is where it should be.

Like I said I don't beleive it is an absolute must do at 3,000 miles but it is so easy to do when I am under the truck, I just knock it out. And it is easier to keep it all on the same schedule.

The additon of the cooler and filter also increases your total fluid capacity helping the fluid life. They also sell extra capacity trans pans for some of the explorer trannys.

 

[MONMIX]

I would post my pic, but it would seem redundant since it is nearly identical to Todds set up. ( I think he secretly wants to be just like me )

yeah the B&M kit comes with special zip ties, hose, and all sorts of other items.
I fabed my own brackets just because that is the way I felt like doing it

 

[ZachMan]

Thanks guys now I understand.

 

[wireman]

My install went alot easier with the grill removed.

 

[IAmTodd]

If you have a '99+ You pretty much have no choice but to remove the bumper. And just looking at it now, I'm gonna have a hell of a time replacing my filter.

 

[Bronco638]

I'm reviving this thread because I'm curious which metal tranny line everyone chose to cut for the filter/cooler install. I searched as well and found that some used the tranny-to-radiator line and others used the radiator-to-tranny line. I figured it's better to filter the (hot) oil so that any in-stream particles don't make it into the cooler/radiator than to filter (cool) oil going back to the tranny.

Thoughts?

TIA - Dave.

 

[ExplorerSportNu]

I'm reviving this thread because I'm curious which metal tranny line everyone chose to cut for the filter/cooler install. I searched as well and found that some used the tranny-to-radiator line and others used the radiator-to-tranny line. I figured it's better to filter the (hot) oil so that any in-stream particles don't make it into the cooler/radiator than to filter (cool) oil going back to the tranny.

Thoughts?

TIA - Dave.

Bump, anybody have thoughts on this, I'm in the same boat here and not the coldest beer in the fridge when it comes to this area??? Along with this where is the best place to run the wiring for a tranny temp gauge to get the best readout???

 

[have2goski]

I would say if you are taking temps it is probably best to get the reading before the fluid goes into your cooling network. This will give you the best chance of gauging the actual temp your trans is operating at. I don't have a temp gauge so i did not consider this in my install.

I choose the way i did it b/c the factory aux cooler had rubber hoses conecting it to the metal hard lines. it was the easiest place to splice the 2 add-ons in. Just took a couple extra lengths of hose and clamping it all together.

 

[CDW6212R]

Place the temp sensor as close to the trans as possible, in the output line, which is usually the top line.
I agree that the filter should be placed "upstream" as far as possible, unless you suspect past debris.
This can be critical to keep a rebuilt trans from failing. I would place a filter just before the trans input on a vehicle where the trans had been rebuilt.

Use larger lines versus smaller lines, if you have a choice. 3/8" hoses or lines are much better than 5/16" hoses or lines. Ford increased the size of lines on some heavy duty applications to improve flow.

Fluid flow(restriction) is important. I wouldn't install another cooler in-line with two existing in-line coolers. Add the third cooler in parallel with the other aux cooler. This achieves virtually the same cooling, but lowers restriction, instead of increasing it.
Good luck,
Don W

 

[ExplorerSportNu]

Thank you have and cdw, that exactly what I needed to know