Tranny cooler W/fan install

[California Monkey]

So I ordered das cooler from summit (Part number DER-13950) which is a large sized stacked plate cooler with a fan mounted to it for better cooling.





It comes with all sorts of goodies for pluming and mounting but I don't really like the supplied mounting materials so i'm scratching that stuff. They also offer 3 different types of hose hook ups which I'll be using the barbed fittings for rubber hoses. It also comes with an electronic thermostat for automatic use. Here's how i'm going to plum it un using the supplied fittings and thermostat





And for those not electronically inclined, Here's how the wiring is going to go. There are many ways to do this but this is the way I like it.



This is what I started with. The bracket on the left is one I made when I first installed my HF "off road" lights.







It was in the way so it had to go. After that, I tried several times to get the tranny cooler in but the space wasn't there. I could either mount in somewhere else in the engine compartment or I had to "make" room. My AC hasn't worked since 2002 so I really didn't hesitate to much to pull out the condensor.









Now that there was a good amount of space, I needed to mount the cooler. I looked around to see what others had done and didn't like any of them. Luckily Iv'e been to Sims one too many times so I had plenty to work with.



Pulled out the welder and welded this 3/16 plate to the center support.







Now some Z shaped brackets for the other side.





And BAM!







Ran the wiring through some split shielding and heat shrunk the butt-splices together.



The wife was nice enough to come out and take pics of me for me.



Ran the lines. The in-rad now hooks up to itself using the previous line. The order goes Tranny, cooler, filter and back to the tranny.



All that's left is the wiring. In starting that I realized that what I had been doing worked but wasn't clean. I found a nice power distribution block which should help make it all look nice and more uniform.

The trans is way happier than it ever was and now it never gets any hotter than 195*. I strongly recommend this to anyone running an E4OD or running offroad a lot. It's peice of mind at a decent price.

[Worn Out F150]

Good call on skipping those ties that go through the radiator. Was there any reason why you didn't keep your stock cooler in addition to the new one?

[California Monkey]

Just like to report that my Transmission took a serious beating this weekend draggin an abandoned vehicle out of the forest and several hours of slow-trail wheeling and it never once got "hot". I couldn't recommend anything stronger than a transmission cooler with a fan on it.

[stan the man]

Pulling an old Toyota out doesnt count Seriously though, glad to hear and see that the fan was doing the E4OD good.

[86beast]

I plan to do this soon (Great writeup by the way ) but am going to keep the stock cooler as well. With that said how much more fluid does it need over the stock amount?

[California Monkey]

I'm not sure. I bypassed the stock cooler and the in-rad tranny fluid cooler/heater so there's no way for me to accuratly say the difference. I'd guess about a quart.

[Shadofax]

what are the dimensions of the one you bought vs. your stock E4OD?

Would be cool to add a small fan to the stock cooler and just put it to a relay and switch in the cab. Hot summer wheeling, towing, going up long grades, just flip it on, turn it off once the load is gone.

What amp draw does that little fan supposed to draw?

[California Monkey]

The stock one was about 1/2 the size and about 1/2 the thickness. As far as the amp draw, it's mininmal. I'm not 100% on how much it really is but it barely knocks the volt meter when kicked on.

The E4OD was overheating anytime I was doing anything but easy cruising. Not that the stocker with a fan wouldn't be ok but I know i'm way happier with the set-up I have now. I strongly recommend the better cooler with fan as well as the filter kit. The E4OD is rediculously expensive and the two parts I put on are less than $200. Money well spent.

[Shadofax]

Originally Posted by California Monkey

The stock one was about 1/2 the size and about 1/2 the thickness. As far as the amp draw, it's mininmal. I'm not 100% on how much it really is but it barely knocks the volt meter when kicked on.

The E4OD was overheating anytime I was doing anything but easy cruising. Not that the stocker with a fan wouldn't be ok but I know i'm way happier with the set-up I have now. I strongly recommend the better cooler with fan as well as the filter kit. The E4OD is rediculously expensive and the two parts I put on are less than $200. Money well spent.

you must not have had the tow package:




your cooler looks no bigger than the stock one I have. You really don't need much more than the stock one like what is on mine. I've never had any of the issues you described. I once had to tow a 78 bronco with 460 and large tires for miles on some forest service roads, up/down inclines etc. never a worry. Have hauled a lot of stuff with the bronco, as long as it's got the tow package cooler it should not need anything more unless you really plan to tow heavy loads regularly (where I might add the little fan).

Just for comparison, to the drivers side you can see in this pic a crappy little AOD cooler I picked up from an '89 bronco that is now used as my power steering cooler:

[California Monkey]

The stocker I had was a little bigger than the AOD cooler. My bronco didn't even really come with that. I put it on once I started modifying the truck. The previous owner did nothing but tow with the bronco and Iv'e towed almost nothing with it since Iv'e had it. The biggest thing is that I probably never needed it until I lifted it and put bigger tires on without changing my gears. That alone adds a good amount of heat to the pig. If you don't have a gauge, get one. It's the difference between thinking and knowing.

[ckeene9]

Is there different variations within this year? Mine has the oil routed into the radiator, no seperate cooler.

[jahwarrior1423]

is there a process to get the air out of the lines or just running it get the air out?

[SomeDude451]

Originally Posted by California Monkey

All that's left is the wiring. In starting that I realized that what I had been doing worked but wasn't clean. I found a nice power distribution block which should help make it all look nice and more uniform.

You have any info on your power distro block? I'm trying to fab one up and looking for ideas.

[foxbravo]

Originally Posted by ckeene9

Is there different variations within this year? Mine has the oil routed into the radiator, no seperate cooler.

I have an Eddie Bauer 94 FSB and mine goes into the radiator as well. Guess that 180 degree thermostat did more for my tranny as well as my engine.

[Shadofax]

Originally Posted by foxbravo

I have an Eddie Bauer 94 FSB and mine goes into the radiator as well. Guess that 180 degree thermostat did more for my tranny as well as my engine.

You're in texas, which is generally pretty flat. 35's and no gear change, and mountain terrian or towing and see how your E4OD likes that. I always advise the seperate tow package cooler for the E4OD. they are way too expensive not to have this simple upgrade. Makes a big difference in fluid temps.

[California Monkey]

the easiest way to find out what's really going on with your trans is to put a temp gauge on it. I saw mine climb high even when going through country mountain roads. I also am running 35's with no gear change.

Better to be safe then sorry.


Also, on the power distribution block, I found it at an electrical supply place near a jobsite. It's meant for mounting inside electrical panels for distributing grounds.

[foxbravo]

Originally Posted by Shadofax

You're in texas, which is generally pretty flat. 35's and no gear change, and mountain terrian or towing and see how your E4OD likes that. I always advise the seperate tow package cooler for the E4OD. they are way too expensive not to have this simple upgrade. Makes a big difference in fluid temps.

I did change gears and tow. running 4.56 and its perfect on the highway. Seeing 15.25 consistently for 9 hours driving.

[Decker]

I've also got the stock "tow package" cooler on my '96. I see temps around 220-260 when floggin on it out in the sand (lots of slipping, lots of go pedal... yes I stopped when I saw it hit 260 and did a flush/fill when I got home) ARound town I see 150-180, as per the Autometer guage I have installed... but it's in the service port on the side of that E4OD, so I'm guessing the fluid is 20* hotter.

FWIW, I also run an aux spin on filter that holds a quart of fluid. (I'll never own another ford automatic without one) I'm also on 33's with stock gears and a 6" lift.

[Shadofax]

Originally Posted by Decker

I've also got the stock "tow package" cooler on my '96. I see temps around 220-260 when floggin on it out in the sand (lots of slipping, lots of go pedal... yes I stopped when I saw it hit 260 and did a flush/fill when I got home) ARound town I see 150-180, as per the Autometer guage I have installed... but it's in the service port on the side of that E4OD, so I'm guessing the fluid is 20* hotter.

FWIW, I also run an aux spin on filter that holds a quart of fluid. (I'll never own another ford automatic without one) I'm also on 33's with stock gears and a 6" lift.

You have a pic of that? Drivers side?

[Decker]

Nope, I dont. I'll try to snap a pic tonight. Yes, it's on the driver's side. I think it's AKA the test port