Aftermarket cooler ok???

dansdad · 10-25-2009, 04:32 PM

I just found a 5.4 1500 chevy 2006 but with NO towing package I was told pickups of that size engine ALREADY have a larger radiator and tranny cooler. I only need to professionally have a prodigy, and sway braces installed with new hitch. Is that true? Would that be as good as factory??Thank You Dave Gale

Inland RV Center, In · 10-25-2009, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dansdad

I just found a 5.4 1500 chevy 2006 but with NO towing package I was told pickups of that size engine ALREADY have a larger radiator and tranny cooler. I only need to professionally have a prodigy, and sway braces installed with new hitch. Is that true? Would that be as good as factory??Thank You Dave Gale

Adding a transmission oil cooler, will pay many dividends.

But, don't install the cooler in front of the radiator, or AC heat exchanger.

To remove the heat from the radiator, is great, but you don't want to turn around and put it right back into the radiator.

Install the tranny cooler, below the radiator, behind the bumper, so that it can get plenty of "ram" air when moving.

That installation does 3 things.

1. It removes heat from the radiator.
2. It helps controlling the tranny oil temperature.
3. It helps lowering the engine temperature.

Installing a tranny cooler in front of the radiator, helps with # 2 only.

Andy

dansdad · 10-25-2009, 04:52 PM

Then what you are saying Andy is that 5.4 engines dont just come with proper tranny coolers and larger radiators? Stick with factory only?

**azflycaster** · 10-25-2009, 04:56 PM

With out the tow package does the truck have a 7 pin trailer connector or a tow/haul switch?

Inland RV Center, In · 10-25-2009, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dansdad

Then what you are saying Andy is that 5.4 engines dont just come with proper tranny coolers and larger radiators? Stick with factory only?

Adding a tranny cooler, is a plus.

Not having one, over and above what might be original equipment, will cause the tranny oil to reach temperatures that will cause harm.

Andy

dansdad · 10-25-2009, 04:57 PM

No it does not. There is nothing there

dansdad · 10-26-2009, 11:20 AM

What I meant Richard... is that no wiring harness is present. I really want to know if 1/2 trucks come from the factory with a large tranny cooler. If not II will get one. Dave

Inland RV Center, In · 10-26-2009, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dansdad

What I meant Richard... is that no wiring harness is present. I really want to know if 1/2 trucks come from the factory with a large tranny cooler. If not II will get one. Dave

Dave.

A good tranny cooler will be about 8 x 12 inches and about 1 1/2 to 2 inches thick.

Anything less than that is not adequate for towing a large Airstream.

Hayden makes the best tranny coolers.

Andy

**Kevin245** · 10-26-2009, 11:37 AM

Don't know about other brands, but my Ford did not come with an external transmission cooler. It had one for the power steering pump only.

My only gripe about most of the aftermarket coolers is the cheesy plastic ties manufacturers provide to mount the cooler. We ended up fabricating an aluminum frame to mount ours in.

We had trouble flaring the trans line steel tubing. I ordered some steel compression fittings that did the trick.

It was a six pack project.

Regards,

Kevin

SteveH · 10-26-2009, 02:23 PM

"Normally" there is more to a factory towing package than the tranmission cooler. I'm not up to speed on what Ford installs, but the GM trucks with the towing package come with a transmission cooler, factory trailer wiring harness, a heavy duty radiator, a heavy duty alternator, receiver hitch, and a lower rear end gear ratio...usually a 3.73:1, although the Chevrolet 1/2 tons use a 3.42:1 when I was last looking at the specs.