Add trans cooler for towing? 2002 2WD

[Lee in Texas]

I just bought a light duty trailer. Aluminum construction, 5'4"x10' cargo area. One ton capacity. Do I need to add a trans cooler?

 

[thegipper]

It never hurts when towing to add an extra cooler, run it in series with the stock cooler in the radiator. Also, if you haven't replaced your radiator in the last 7 or 8 years (or just want to be super cautious) I would replace the radiator if your rig is an auto because of the potential pink milk shake if the radiator fails.

Since you have a 2002, you can monitor your tranny temps via a bluetooth OBD2 reader and the torque app (android phone). Or install a scan gauge. Once you can monitor your tranny temps, if it often goes above 200 degrees while towing, I would add the extra cooler.

I installed a tranny temp gauge in my 97 since it doesn't have one from the factory. I will be towing with it this summer and will install an extra cooler if need be. For now, any towing I have done has been in the winter in Wisconsin so it hasn't got past maybe 170 degrees.

 

[weezykid]

I agree with thegipper. Adding a tranny cooler is never a bad idea. An external cooler will help with tranny temps better and you can bypass the factory in-radiator cooler which can leak over time causing a cooling milkshake.

 

[jgue467]

Oh and since you're in the ausitn area, when towing at least and climbing some of our bigger hills turn OD off, that REALLY helps drop trans temps by 15-25 degrees especially during our lovely 100+ days. Luck and enjoy the runner. :cowboy: