[RobsE350]

If anybody cares, I installed a Tru-Cool Max 4739 with a fan on my van a few weeks ago and finally took some pics. Just thought I would share the pics since summer is right around the corner.

http://community.webshots.com/user/robse350

Thanx to all who have helped me.

 

[anash13]

I like what you did with the Trans cooler.

Could you provide a little more info on installation and the likes?

How much hassel was it too fit in position??

Please fill in the blanks....lol

 

[ddog]

Nice install. Couple of questions? It appears from the description you retained the stock air to oil cooler and the in radiator (oil to water)cooler in addition to adding the tru-cool max correct?

Did you do the cooler flow test to make sure you didn't reduce fluid flow? I don't remember the spec but it has been discussed before in the Powerstroke forum.

I think you may be describing the flow backwards. Its my understanding that the transmission fluid flows from the transmission to the cooler in the radiator first,then out of the radiator into the stock oil to air cooler (if equipped)and then back to the transmission. It seems your tru max is installed between the stock OTA cooler and the radiator, which puts it in the middle of the chain.Iin your scenario I think your flow is actually hot oil from transmission-->inline filter -->radiator-->trucool-->stock ota and then (cool oil)back to the trans. Someone correct me if I'm mistaken. In any regard, with all those components in line, I think a flow check would be in order.

I like the guage set up too. Pretty slick with 3 way switch.

 

[RobsE350]

Let me double check the flow on Wednesday & I'll get back with more details for the install. Thanx

Ok. I screwed up in the description with the pics. It is now fixed. My fluid direction is ok. Too much allergy medicine. The fluid flow is as follows: out of tranny, into H2O radiator, into Tru-Cool 4739, into OEM tranny cooler, into tranny filter into rear of tranny.

As far as reduced fluid flow I did not do a test. Dieselsite.com advised me that the fluid would be OK. Also on their site there are pics of a similar install. Dieselsite.com did advise me to keep the hose lengths to a minimum, add more fluid as needed and to use the same diameter hose.

As far as the install goes you will be working in front of the bumper and on your back underneath the bumper, this is what I did:
I removed the black plastic air dam on the bottom of the bumper/radiator to fit the 4739 in place. It pulls off easily with a little help from a screw driver. The kit came with 3' of hose, self tapping screws (front view), metal straps & bolts (bottom view) & hose barb fittings. I purchased the 3/8" 90 degree elbows @ NAPA for around $4.
1. Fasten the hose barbs to the in & out of the 4739. Use teflon tape. 2. Attach the top brackets (front view) with the self tapping screws. I used a drill with a 4" extension & a hex bit to grab the screw. 3. Attach the metal straps (bottom view) to the 4739 and the radiator support brackets. There were holes already in the radiator support brackets that I could put my bolts thru. I used a vise & a pair of pliers to bend the metal straps into shape. It took a few trys but not a big deal. After that the 4739 is very secure and did not move at all. (Sip on beer) 4. I then attached the fan. I did it in this order cuz there is not a lot of room and I wanted to make sure the fan was as centered as possible on the 4739. I had the fan laying around but you can purchase them @ Pep Boys for $40-$70. They come in different sizes. It is made by haydenauto.com. (Sip on beer) 5. I then attached all the hoses. I only had to add 20" of hose. I then put hose protection where I thought the hose might rub. 6. Last I ran my wiring for my fan. (Sip on beer) You can hook the fan up to a switch or Pep Boys sells a thermostat (in the fan section) that turns the fan on/off automatically.

I then took it for a test drive to check for leaks and added tranny fluid. (around 3/4 of a quart) In all it took me around 4 hours and 2-3 beers to complete. Most of that was figuring out how it was going to fit, where I could fasten it to the van & bending/shaping the metal straps. If I had these instructions and the pics I could have done it in 2 hours.

Hope this helps and good luck,

Rob

 

[anash13]

Robs:
Thanks for the instructions.
Question:
1.Do you have Air Cond. in the Van?? or How close to the Air Cond. Condenser is the Trans cooler?

2.Do you realy feel the Fan is necessary?

 

[RobsE350]

Yes I do have A/C in the van and the 4739 is about 1" in front of the condenser. It doesn't cover up more than 3" of the condenser. If you look at the back bottom view pic you can see the condenser and how the 4739 sits in front and hangs down below it. As far as the fan goes I really don't use it. I thought it would help but it only makes a difference in stop and go traffic, pulling a heavy load (9000# +) and when the outside temps are well above 90. About 2 weeks ago I was pulling 6500#, doing 75MPH up and down hills in West Texas and I didn't realize the wind had changed directions and I was going into a 20MPH head wind. My tranny temps suddenly jumped from 175 to 195. I slowed down to 60MPH, turned on the fan and my temps went down to 170. The fan is a little overkill but it's there if I need it. I also have 2 bigger fans mounted on the main H2O radiator. They help in the summer with the A/C and I can pull a 7000# load at 70MPH without the fan clutch kicking on and off all the time.

Rob

 

[anash13]

Has anyone priced a cooler from a 6.0??

 

[ddog]

HERE is a price, but the catalog is indicating that the coolers are the same from 97-2006 for the van. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif I think there is a problem because the catalog indicates the trans pan is the same for the diesel as well unless the pan on the 5 speed is the same as the 4R100. Anyway that's A price on A stock transmission cooler.

 

[anash13]

Thanks DDog, I thought it might be more cost effective to go with a cooler from a 6.0 rather then a replacement unit.

However, It is almost twice the cost using a 6.0 replacement unit.
I can put the tru-cool unit in for about 1/3 the cost.
But thanks anyway.

 

[anash13]

Rob:
I shall be installing this same 4739 Tru-Cool unit in the morning.
Question:
Would it not be better to run the lines like this:
Transmission---->H2O Radiator---->OEM Cooler---->Tru-Cooler--->Return to Transmission.
For me this looks easer.
Note: I do not have an external transmission filter on this van.

Your comments Please

 

[anash13]

I installed the Tru-Cool today. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Not quite as easy as Rob's install. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Yo DDog, If you'r going to try this install give me a shout on the land line. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Seems the 03's have a few more items to deal with before getting things right /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif.

On the test trip (10 mi) the Temp's outside today was 94*.
But the transmission guage never went over 150*. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I'll pass updates as requested. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif

 

[RobsE350]

I've been out of town for a while. I ran my lines the way I did just to make the hose runs as short as possible. One way or the other shouldn't matter too much. Maybe a few degrees here or there. Sorry that your install was more trouble.

Rob

 

[anash13]

Morning Rob.

There is nothing for you to be sorry about my friend, that's just the way Ford made the Van...Yours is a 99, mine is a 03 there were bound to be some changes. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I just wanted to alert anyone who had a later model to the problem ahead....These problems are NOT THAT BAD just different. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

FYI:
I was in Tucson on Sat. Temps were 104* at my Buddys house.
Van's Trans temps just reached 160* on the gauge.....Not bad I's say. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif

 

[ddog]

[ QUOTE ]
Temps were 104* at my Buddys house.
Van's Trans temps just reached 160* on the gauge.....Not bad I's say.

[/ QUOTE ]

don't know if you posted it already, but what were yor tranny temps before the extra cooler install?

 

[anash13]

Before they would go up to about 190* or so on a hot day.

The main reason I wish to install a bigger cooler is last year this time I pulled my 16' cargo trailer loaded with 8500# from Desert Hot Springs back up there to Sierra Vista.
The Temp. when we left Desert Hot Springs was 126* at 1800hrs
Trans temps were up to 210* pulling up "Charico Pass" on I-8.+
210* was as hot as it got as I held the speed down to 50 mph comming through the Pass, and 60 mph the rest of the trip.
FYI; During that trip, it was 109* in Phoenix at 2100hr, & 106* in Tucson at 2230hr...BUT It was 68* at 0035hr when I pulled into my Driveway....I dam near froze befoe I could get into the house.

After that trip I changed out the old Trans Fluid and put AMSoil syn. Fluid in, That with the new cooler I should be good for any hot weather that comes along now.

 

[RobsE350]

In Texas, outside temps around 100, today I was pulling #7000 @ 65MPH and my tranny temps were around 185-190 with Mobil 1. If I turn on my fan they drop to around 175-180 after 20+ miles. Maybe I should switch to Amsoil before it gets real hot.

Glad it all worked out for ya!

Rob