trans cooler upgrade

[Wardog Howling]

I recently got my truck out of the transmission shop. Thankfully under warranty on the rebuild, all the clutches were shot and I didn't have reverse.

Anyway I went ahead and bought gauges for it and I was suprised to find that my trans temp gauge always reads between 180* and 200*. It hasn't gone over 200 yet, but I havent pushed it by hauling anything either. It's 94
degrees here and I'm just normal driving, unloaded and seeing these temps.

I'm going to Colorado in October, where I will be loaded down, and going through the mountains, so I was thinking of either adding a larger capacity transmission pan (Mag-Hytec), or doing a trans cooler upgrade.

I need some advise on what to look for (I know where a 6.0 superduty is at a scrap yard if that would be beneficial) and what parts I would need to complete an upgrade.

Questions I have are:
Do I replace my cooler with a larger version or just add another in line?
What parts are needed with either scenario?
What degree trans temperatures should I be aiming for?

And pictures are always a plus.

Thanks. Here's my specs:

2000 F250 7.3 CC LB 4x4
4R100 tranny on fresh rebuild
270,000 miles and counting
Bully Dog power pup set at level 2 (+75HP)
4" MBRP turbo back exhaust
DIY 6637 Filter/Intake
Zoo Dad, boost fooler
Ranch hand replacements front/rear
Rawson Koenig Headache rack/toolbox combo
305/70/16 BFG MT KM2
4" Procomp Suspension Lift
Glo Shift Boost, trans temp and pyro pillar gauges

[mas360]

I have a 2000 F250 with 2WD. I added a Cooler to the factory cooler. Unless you can get a 6.0 cooler for cheap, all you need is a second cooler added. Used cooler is not good unless you know it does not contain debris inside. If you choose the 6.0, you bypass the original factory cooler.

Best temperature for transmission fluid is 160 degrees. Above 200 degrees is not recommended.

[CT Performance, Inc.]

I wouldn't stack coolers as you may loose flow. Pay the $$ for a 6.0 cooler or the bigest Perma-cooler you can fit.

[ProOnThaSnow]

Get the 6.0 cooler from the yard, some 3/8" to 1/2" barbed fittings (I think those are the sizes if I remember correctly), and about 4 feet of oil safe 1/2" hose. The 6.0 cooler blots right in place of the 7.3 cooler and all you do is cut the hose coming out of the trans, install the barbs, new hose to the new cooler.

Flush the new cooler first and you'll be fine. We were under $50 into my dad's on his truck said and done with a couple hours of work stopping for smoke breaks, to play with the dogs, and go feed the horses.

Just saturday he pulled 3 1/2 cords of wood (approx 8K lbs + our trailer) 100+ miles and the warmest temps he saw even pulling uphill was 164 degrees. Cheap insurance!