I have a 700R4 w/ 2400 stall. I'm going to install a trans cooler and am stuck between one thats rated for 20,000GVW and one thats 22,000GVW. They both say for large vehicles that are towing but I want something that will cool the transmission but not overkill. What are you guys running?

 

It doesn't have to be very big. Early 700r4s only had the one that is inside the radiator and it worked fine for normal street driving.

 

I don't think you can have one too big. I would use the larger one.

 

Actually i thought that was why the stock ones were routed through the radiator to help warm up the trans fluid quicker in cold weather. And then once it is warm, keep it from getting to hot.

 

You're all correct. If a transmission cooler is used with a bypassed radiator and you're in cold conditions, it will take longer to warm up. Also runs the risk of running too cold while the vehicle is in motion. (Think driving on the highway when it's below freezing temps, that's a harsh windchill.) In those cases your transmission fluid could turn into gel. Some newer Ford vehicles have to use the radiator before a cooler because transmission temp is needed to get into closed loop. With a bypassed radiator, it would never get into closed loop. For our cars, that's not an issue.

I recommend the biggest cooler you can fit in there. Especially when you're in a hot and/or humid state like Georgia. Humidity in particular is hard on cooling systems.

http://www.bulkpart.com/Merchant2/me...e=tru-cool-lpd

Here are the different sized coolers from Long Tru-Cool. I got the #4490 model. She's a big one, but it does the job.

Whether you bypass the radiator or not is up to you. I didn't because I'm in a hot climate. I like that in the event of an overheat situation, the transmission stays cool. In fact back in September, I had the radiator at 240° while the transmission cooler temp was still at 188.°

Stick with a stacked plate design. I like the Long Tru-Cool models because they have a bypass route along the top that the fluid flows through when it's too cool.

 

Reid,

So in Ohio. if you drive in the summer only, would you recommend using an additional trans cooler, over the stock radiator one?

 

I run a 20,000 ext. cooler only, not going through the radiator at all, no problems runs about 185* in 95-100* heat. I only drive in the summer so take that into account.

 

If you're running a stock stall, mostly doing cruising (highway, country roads etc) you should be just fine. If you're using it as a daily driver in stop and go traffic, rush hour, during hot weather, you should think about it.