Transmission cooling

[kboater18]

Hello forum, I would like to know what kind of aftermarket modifications I can make to the transmission cooling of my 2001 chevy silverado 1500 z71 to keep the transmission cool when towing heavy loads. I just paid the truck off two months ago, and am not looking to get into another truck payment for an HD truck. I pull a 30ft travel trailer with the truck that weighs 7500lbs plus cargo, now while the truck is rated to do that, and while I haven't had ANY problems with the transmission overheating yet I do live in Michigan, and am looking to pull the camper to Montana keeping in mind I'm gonna be going through the rocky mountains. So I'm thinking I am gonna have to beef up the cooling on my transmission so as not to let it overheat and crap a tranny on me, we all know how terrible the 4l60e trans is after all. I already know I am gonna have to beef up the suspension too as it does squat the rear end of the truck quite a bit even with the load equalization hitch in. Thanks in advance to any usefull advice concerning this matter. P.S. has anybody ever attempted putting an 4l80e trans in a half ton in place of the 60e if so what kind of modifications must be done to make the conversion. Also is there any other transmission that would be better in place of the 60 that will just bolt right up, and have all of the same electrical connections/use the same computer. THanks.

[burt]

i wouldn't say the 4l60e is a bad trans but lots of towing is not it's place.
best thing you can do is get a big trans cooler, maybe change the fluid while your at it. and most importantly pull in D not OD

[MADS99]

The Aftermarket Transmission Cooler, Most often mentioned is the.......True Cool 40K Trans. Cooler, which is the one I went with,

If you do a Search, there are a few Threads regarding the 40K Cooler.

[kboater18]

i wouldn't say the 4l60e is a bad trans but lots of towing is not it's place.
best thing you can do is get a big trans cooler, maybe change the fluid while your at it. and most importantly pull in D not OD

Do I have to replace the factory cooler with a bigger one? Or can I simply supplement it by installing an Aux trans cooler of larger size/capacity. Thanks

[MADS99]

Do I have to replace the factory cooler with a bigger one? Or can I simply supplement it by installing an Aux trans cooler of larger size/capacity. Thanks

Replacing the factory cooler, with a larger aftermarket cooler, is the route I went,

Factory Trans. Cooler,
http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/pp9/99HEATBEAT/IMG_3002-1.jpg

Larger Aftermarket Cooler,
http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/pp9/99HEATBEAT/IMG_3007-2.jpg

http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/pp9/99HEATBEAT/IMG_3005-1.jpg

The Aftermarket Trans. Cooler, I went with was the.....True Cool 40K Cooler.

[kboater18]

Replacing the factory cooler, with a larger aftermarket cooler, is the route I went,

Factory Trans. Cooler,
http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/pp9/99HEATBEAT/IMG_3002-1.jpg

Larger Aftermarket Cooler,
http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/pp9/99HEATBEAT/IMG_3007-2.jpg

http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/pp9/99HEATBEAT/IMG_3005-1.jpg

The Aftermarket Trans. Cooler, I went with was the.....True Cool 40K Cooler.

Thanks for your input, and the pictures that should help me out a lot. Did you ever install a gauge to monitor transmission temperature? If so how hot have you ever had the transmission while towing? And where on the transmission do i put the temperature sensor? BTW that is a REALLY SHARP TRUCK, i like that white a lot, but living in Mi white trucks just aren't a good combination with winter road salt, so red for me.

[Emersonsdad]

I have this one.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a114/cali_rail/d665f311.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a114/cali_rail/48e756bf.jpg

[silverado_lover]

Has anyone mounted a Tru Cool 40K on a GMT-400? The guy at the trans shop said it was too big :confused:

[burt]

Has anyone mounted a Tru Cool 40K on a GMT-400? The guy at the trans shop said it was too big :confused:

a quick google search got me the measurements of 8 1/2 x 22 3/4 x 1 1/4. go measure your truck and you will know if it fits.

[Murf]

A temp gauge for the trans is a must. You don't mention how many miles your truck has. I have had a lot better luck with 4l60e's than I have had with 10 bolt rear ends.

[silverado_lover]

a quick google search got me the measurements of 8 1/2 x 22 3/4 x 1 1/4. go measure your truck and you will know if it fits.

I already have the cooler :lol: I do have a 34" radiator, I think my trans guy was meaning it's too big to mount...without fab work. I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to make some brackets I just don't have the time, I have all the fittings to run AN lines but Summit sent me what looks to be -4 hose instead of the -6 I ordered.

[MADS99]

Thanks for your input, and the pictures that should help me out a lot. Did you ever install a gauge to monitor transmission temperature? If so how hot have you ever had the transmission while towing? And where on the transmission do i put the temperature sensor? BTW that is a REALLY SHARP TRUCK, i like that white a lot, but living in Mi white trucks just aren't a good combination with winter road salt, so red for me.


......I have installed a Escalade Dash Cluster..(Pictured Below)..as they have the Transmission Temp Gauge in their Dash Cluster's and as the 99" to 07" NBS GMT-800 Silverado's/Sierra's, are Pre-wired from the Factory for the Transmission Temp Gauge, I just had to have the Esky Cluster Programmed for the Current Mileage on my Truck and after that it was a Plug-n-Play Mod...

After installing the Esky Cluster, I was now able to see what my Transmission Temp were with the Factory Trans. Cooler, when Towing my Ski Boat and they were....180...190...sometimes just over 200 Degrees, even tho these numbers were with-in the range mentioned in the Owners Manual, I was just not comfortable, with my Transmission running at those Temps....and that's when I installed the 40K Cooler now with the New Cooler, my Transmission Temps, have never gone over 150 Degrees!!......For me and/or Truck going with the Larger Aftermarket Trans. Cooler, has been.....One of the BEST Investment's, that I could and/or have Done to my Truck....


http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/pp9/99HEATBEAT/IMG_2428-1.jpg

Edit:......I noticed, that you are Towing 7500lbs plus Cargo, Sorry to say, but I think your pushing the Limits of what your 01" 1/2 Ton can Safely Tow........