If you didnt know, Strapt Performance is based in Phoenix Arizona and it gets hot here. Its been 110 degrees or higher for all of July and Ive seen my transmission temps get uncomfortably hot a few times. I was ok seeing it hit 205 degrees every once in a while but 210 just felt like too much. Typically it will hit 197 on the drive home in rush hour.
We recently added Full-Race performance products to our website and decided we would try out one of their transmission coolers on our 2013 F150 3.5L EcoBoost. The cooler fits all F-150 whether its an Ecoboost, 5.0L or a Raptor.
This transmission cooler is massive but yet it fits in place of the stock cooler with no modifications needed. The stock cooler has 6 rows and the Full-Race cooler has 20 rows.
First you want to remove the puny little stock trans cooler. This is super easy to do. Just loosen the 2 hose clamps, pull the hose off of each end and then pop the cooler out of the bracket. You will lose a little bit of fluid so its best to put a few rags underneath the hoses to catch it while it drips. Its not going to be a lot of fluid but it will make a mess on the intercooler on Ecoboost trucks.
Before putting the new cooler on you will want to cut about 1 inch off of the cooler hose on the driver side. Do this before putting the hose on the cooler. Once the hose is on the cooler it is very hard to get back off to cut the hose. Ask me how I know that...
After you cut the hose you are ready to pop the new cooler in to place. Start on the passenger side and slide it into the bracket then pop it in on the driver side. Its that simple. Now connect the hoses and set the hose clamps in place. The cooler came with new worm gear hose clamps but I kept the OE spring type hose clamps on this install.
After starting the truck and letting it warm up you will want to check the transmission fluid level. I had to add about 1/2 a quart. Also during this process I could see that I am due for a transmission flush. The fluid is brown and might have all of the 130k miles this truck has on the same fluid.
Dont expect a huge drop in normal operating trans temp. This system is controlled by a thermostat so it wants to regulate a normal operating temperature. But the Full-Race transmission cooler should reduce the times your transmission goes over the normal operating temperature range. Especially useful in towing and slow speed trail riding in 4 wheel drive.
Here is a quick link to the 2011-2014 F-150 and Raptor transmission cooler.
Full-Race 2011-2014 Ford F-150 20 Row Transmission Cooler – Strapt Performance Diesel And Offroad
Full Race also makes a transmission cooler for 2015-2020 F-150 and Raptor. Its not quite as simple to install. It might take 20 minutes instead of 15 minuts but still super easy.