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Originally Posted by bunker7
I was reading a post by I believe transdude somewhere about adding a tranny cooler to lower the operating temps and extending its service life even if not towing.
Sounds like its a wise long term investment to me.
Just my thoughts
Hans
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It wouldn't hurt...but if you don't tow, it won't help a lot either. I have both coolers and a pan mounted transmission temperature gauge and the highest I've ever seen the pan temperature when not towing is 150 (on a 95 degree day, in heavy traffic, while climbing long and steep hills). The external cooler only works when at speed (over about 40 mph)...at low speed the cooler in the radiator is doing all the cooling...and I only see about a 10 degree difference. The external cooler is really just a supplement to the internal cooler. I should add that ATF is quite stable and long lasting as long as its temperature does not stay above 175.
One of the reasons that the '03s/'04s don't have an external cooler unless you have the towing package is that the transmission cooler in the radiator is very effective for regular driving.
Only if you tow...actually only if you tow a fairly heavy load in high temperatures on hilly/mountainous terrain and can't keep the transmission's torque converter locked...does the ATF pan temperature rise above 175 with both factory coolers. I do extreme towing...4000 lbs up 10 mile long 7% grades with the engine at 4200 RPM in 2nd gear the whole way. Highest temperature I've ever seen my transmission get to was still only 195 and that was with 90 plus ambient temperatures.
For ordinary, non-towing (or even light towing) driving, any external cooler is more feel-good than useful.