Trans cooler or not ???????

[Paul W]

I know this subject has been dealt with before, but I am wondering if I really should get a trans cooler for my truck. This past August I purchased a new Dakota Quad Cab 4x4 with a 4.7 V8. It did not have a towing package so I don't think it has a trans cooler. Would have prefered the package,but got a good deal on the truck I could not pass up. Have not towed my boat with it yet(was laid up this past fall). So I am really hurting to get on the water. I will be pulling a 2001 Pro Deep V 16 SC with a 75 2- stroke. Should I get a cooler installed or am I good with what I have,pulling this rig? One last thing does anyone own this truck and what are you getting as far as MPG? I am struggling to get 10 in the city(Chicago),is this normal for this truck? Or does the MPG get better with more miles on it,I only have 2400 right now. One last thing I have been on the board since I bought my tracker I don't post much ,but learn a lot from you guys.



Thanks Paul

 

[Scott Hammer TOXIC]

Paul,



If you plan on keeping your truck for a long time (like until it's paid for LOL) the cooler is just insurance for your tranny. Everyone will ask all sorts of ?'s like, how far will you tow, what is the weight of the boat/motor/trailer, what kind of weather do you drive in, and so on but to me all of that doesn't matter. If I am going to tow, I want safeguards. Of course, I keep my vehicles forever....



TOXIC

 

[James D.]

your truck will pull your boat with ease and you probably don't "have" to have one. i agree with tox in that it would be better to have one than not especially if you plan to keep the truck for a long time and trailer your boat often. don't know if you are lookin for the dealer to add one or not but i think u-haul does these very reasonably as well as hitches. my truck is old, and i'm thinkin about adding one before summer this year.

jd

 

[Jim B]

Paul get a cooler if the truck dosent have one. Have your dealer look and see. I have the same truck and i got the tow package and mine has a cooler its in front of the radaitor down low. Im sure the dealer can confirm for sure if it has one or not. Im getting about 14 city with mine on average, a little less if i lead foot it. If your truck is anything like mine it will need more break in before the milage goes up. i didnt start getting 14 till i had 10k on the clock. I also switcvhed to a full synthetic oil at 6k and that might help as well.

 

[Staci Matheis]

While you may not "need" one.....

It sure is cheap insurance.

 

[Roger Chambers]

Paul, I purchased a transmission cooler at a local auto parts store for less than $80 dollars and installed it myself. My truck was still under warranty so i called the dealer to make sure that it would not void the warranty and they said that it would not. On my truck, 2002 Chevy 1500, it only took 30 minutes. If you do it yourself be sure to get the proper transmission line connector kit for your make and model truck and you will have to add a little trans. fluid.

 

[gone bye bye]

Get one....as Scott said cheap insurance. And it will add to the resale of the truck.



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