Trans cooler fan

This summer I will be towing cross-country up and down mountains and keep reading that transmissions run hot when towing.
My truck has the towing package which, on the cooling side, consists of this dollar-bill-sized transmission oil radiator:


I'm thinking, a fan would increase its efficiency without significantly altering the vehicle.
What's your opinion on this? Do you know of cooler fan that would fit?

 

A fans really only going to help if your at a low speed for a long duration. Moving 30 mph or so a fan isn't going to accomplish anything. The best thing you can do for trans temps is to try and keep the torque convertor locked.

 

I suppose you have a couple options .
A larger aftercooler would help http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tru-Cool-LP..._Parts_Accessories&hash=item1e14ee369&vxp=mtr
Are you running a scan guage ?
There are a few fan style coolers here to look at as an example http://www.ebay.com/bhp/transmission-cooler-fan

 

I suspect if you stay within the towing specifications there will be no issue.
I would suggest buying a Ultra Gauge and monitoring temps while towing prior to your trip if there is concern.

 

How do you keep the torque converter locked?

 

Let’s say you’re cruising along at 50 mph and in fifth gear. You want to accelerate a little or have to push the gas pedal slightly to maintain speed due to a hill. Ever notice the rpms will rise a couple hundred but the truck didn’t downshift? That’s the torque convertor unlocking and starting to slip, which causes the tranny fluid temp to skyrocket. The only way on our trucks to prevent that is to manually downshift a gear or two and hope that the convertor relocks. You can monitor it happening with a

$152 ScanGauge - SG2 II Ultra Compact 3-in-1 Automotive Computer with Customizable Real-Time Fuel Economy Digital Gauges , Black , 5"

scanguage or ultraguage.

 

Thats awesome !!! I am going to the ultraguage web site to buy one tonight . I knew they were working on transmission temps but had no clue that a new model has been released to superceed the MX version . Thanks for the great info

For the OP , its probably a good idea " not " to tow in 5th gear .

 

I should have worded that differently.
"I'm assuming the ultraguage can monitor trans temps." Sorry if I threw out wrong info.
I had a scanguage that read the temps in my 2008 Tundra (we pulled a travel trailer) and 2010 4Runner. My Tacoma is a manual.

 

In the event of going with a larger after cooler, do you have to add transmission fluid to account for the larger capacity?

 

Absolutely.

 

What is normal operating temps for the tranny? I have the torque app with the custom PID's to monitor both temp gauges in the tranny, but don't know whats normal.

 

normal cruising towing my boat ill sit at 170-180*F trans pan temp. Pulling it up the backside of the grapevine, at 75mph in 3rd just givin her in 110*F ambients, the trans leveled out at 205 for the short bit while going up the hill.

Dont worry about the trans if you have the towing package, you will be fine even if your doing slow speed stuff when the main fan kicks in your trans temps will stay just fine.

That stated if you find the trans hunting between 4th locked, 5th unlocked and 5th locked.... just put the truck in 4th and let the torque converter lock up and your trans will love you.

 

It depends on how much you are towing, the speed you intend on running, and the outside temperature. If you are considering going to the expense of a fan I suggest that you put a larger cooler on the truck. Get one rated for what the max rated weight the truck can pull or even a little larger.

 

What are you towing, what does it weigh?