Easy to install trans cooler and temp gauge recommendations

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Ewhitaker0020

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I'm wanting to install a transmission cooler and a temp sensor with gauge on my 84 K10 with a 700R4 tranny when I get it back from being rebuilt a second time.

What's a straightforward easy to install kit that will help me keep it from overheating in the future. I don't tow much at all. Maybe a 9-12' trailer every now and then, maybe half a ton of sand or gravel once in a while.

I'm just wanting to help keep me from smoking the tranny again. What do you recommend?

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Matt69olds

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Any cooler is better than no cooler.

I would suggest no using any cooler that uses barbed fittings and hose clamps. While I’m aware people do it all the time, cheap hose doesn’t have a long life. Spend the money on a better cooler that uses pipe thread fittings, and have some hydraulic hoses made. Doesn’t make much sense to install a cooler to help the transmission live a long life, only to burn it up when the cheap hose bursts.


The best place to measure temperature is in the pan. If your handy with a welder you can weld a 1/8 pipe bung in the pan and screw in the temp sender. You can also use a drain plug kit, just make sure the sender is grounded to the pan (assuming your installing a electric gauge with only a single wire). Senders with 2 wires won’t matter if it’s grounded.
 

Ricko1966

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I have no recommendation as to cooler kit. Personally with the use you say you have I don't think that was your problem. But if you are going to install a kit I plumb them in this sequence. Supply line to inline filter. Filter to aux cooler. aux cooler to factory cooler, factory cooler to transmission return line. This way your transmission oil is filtered before all the coolers keeping trash out of them. And your factory cooler is still regulating fluid temp . So your transmission fluid comes to temp with engine warm up. Too cold is not good either.

That's how I do them.
 

Ewhitaker0020

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Any cooler is better than no cooler.

I would suggest no using any cooler that uses barbed fittings and hose clamps. While I’m aware people do it all the time, cheap hose doesn’t have a long life. Spend the money on a better cooler that uses pipe thread fittings, and have some hydraulic hoses made. Doesn’t make much sense to install a cooler to help the transmission live a long life, only to burn it up when the cheap hose bursts.


The best place to measure temperature is in the pan. If your handy with a welder you can weld a 1/8 pipe bung in the pan and screw in the temp sender. You can also use a drain plug kit, just make sure the sender is grounded to the pan (assuming your installing a electric gauge with only a single wire). Senders with 2 wires won’t matter if it’s grounded.
I'm not handy when a welder unfortunately. Do you have any recommendations at all for a cooler? I literally have no idea where to start.

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Ewhitaker0020

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I have no recommendation as to cooler kit. Personally with the use you say you have I don't think that was your problem. But if you are going to install a kit I plumb them in this sequence. Supply line to inline filter. Filter to aux cooler. aux cooler to factory cooler, factory cooler to transmission return line. This way your transmission oil is filtered before all the coolers keeping trash out of them. And your factory cooler is still regulating fluid temp . So your transmission fluid comes to temp with engine warm up. Too cold is not good either.

That's how I do them.
Okay. So I should buy an inline filter for the fluid? Then to the aftermarket cooler and then to the radiator fittings, then back to the transmission.

Doesn't sound too bad. I'm hoping somebody can point me to a decent cooler. I know nothing about where to start with picking one out.

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Itali83

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If you’re cooking your trans doing that type of work, I’d bet money your converter isn’t locking up because of frigged with wiring under the hood. Get the new trans in and make sure the converter is locking up. You could put the biggest trans cooler in there and still burn it up if your converter isn’t locking up and you are running overdrive for any amount of time.

Ben.
 

Ewhitaker0020

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If you’re cooking your trans doing that type of work, I’d bet money your converter isn’t locking up because of frigged with wiring under the hood. Get the new trans in and make sure the converter is locking up. You could put the biggest trans cooler in there and still burn it up if your converter isn’t locking up and you are running overdrive for any amount of time.

Ben.
Does the 700r4 Transmission use wiring for the lockup? It's an 84 k10

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Ken B

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I have a radiator that the trans line run thru....its a little cleaner than an additional cooler.
 

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Okay. So I should buy an inline filter for the fluid? Then to the aftermarket cooler and then to the radiator fittings, then back to the transmission.

Doesn't sound too bad. I'm hoping somebody can point me to a decent cooler. I know nothing about where to start with picking one out.

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Exactly . Filter cooler.radiator transmission.look at jegs and summit kits really aren't that tough.I"m sure they will have one. Ask at your transmission shop maybe they have the stuff in stock.
 

Ricko1966

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Okay. So I should buy an inline filter for the fluid? Then to the aftermarket cooler and then to the radiator fittings, then back to the transmission.

Doesn't sound too bad. I'm hoping somebody can point me to a decent cooler. I know nothing about where to start with picking one out.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Exactly . Filter cooler.radiator transmission.look at jegs and summit kits really aren't that tough.I"m sure they will have one. Ask at your transmission shop maybe they have the stuff in stock. FWIW I've never seen a cooler kit that required welding just simple nylon retainers, or bolt in. Easy peasy
 

Ricko1966

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That's how they are from the factory.This is in addition too that.
 
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82sbshortbed

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Here's a spot for the sensor
 

Ricko1966

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What carburetor is on this truck? Have you done anything to this truck immediately prior to or since the first transmission failure?
 

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Most people that tow heavy like the Tru-Cool 40k... it's massive and will pretty much guarantee that you will not overheat the trans no matter what you do. Make sure if you are looking at a trans cooler that you get a stacked plate type, not one of those cheesy one that just bends a straight pipe into a bunch of S's(called tube and fin) and then has some cooling fins braised to it. A smaller stacked plate type will cool significantly better, with less pressure loss, than a larger sized cheapo style. Almost all factory coolers will be stacked plate type.

Here's a link to the 40k. If you dont really do any towing and want to go a little cheaper and a little smaller, they are available also.
https://www.oregonperformancetransmission.com/product/LNG-47391.html
 

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