7.3 vs. 6.0 trans cooler upgrade question

[dikdragon]

I have been reading alot about upgrading (tiny) 7.3 trans cooler to the bigger 6.0 cooler. Everybody is saying the 6.0 cooler will bolt right into place,which I agree with. Question is, Will the cooler lines need to be modified? If so can someone who has actually done this upgrade talk me through it? Because I am going to do this upgrade and could really use the help. Thank-you very much in advance.

[turbolariat]

yes i would also like to hear how it is down and if it would be worth it to use the 6.0 cooler or an after market one because i think im goin to be rebuilding my first tranny soon.

[DaveWilliams]

Well I didn't physically do it myself, but my Diesel Tech where I get my heavy work done said it was a piece of cake. He installed the Sonnax kit too and since he had it in there for that I had them do a flush and fill along with the 6.0 tranny cooler I got off of ebay. He just had to adapt some hoses because I believe he said the 6.0 lines were larger than the stock. Now when I am towing my 9500 fiver, I see 75* above outside temp most of the time, unless I am approaching the 100* to 105* outside temp, then I see 160 and have NEVER (fingers crossed) never seen over 160*. I look at my overhead temp and just ad 75 to that. In the 50*-75* outside temp, I usually see 120-130 and even on the hottest of days last summer only saw a max of 160, so I would say it is DEFINITELY worth the investment, reasearch and time to either install it yourself or have it installed professionally. I got mine for $85 delivered to my door, but then again that was 2 years ago...Good luck finding one..Dave

[lilredpowerstroke]

Dude I had one in my truck and it is definatly worth doing. Just do it and be done with it.

[sevenmalards]

I had a big huge aftermarket cooler put on mine when I rebuilt the tranny a few months ago. I don't know how much the 6.0 cooler costs, but a good huge aftermarket is worth it!

[dikdragon]

thanx you all

[caryt]

One think many forget to do when upgrading to a 6.0 cooler is to make sure you have 3/8" tranny lines..you can get a kit to do this from Tymar. Kit will come set up for your cooler!!!

Cary

[NCHornet]

Sorry CaryT you need 1/2" lines , the stock lines are 3/8" The install is very easy I have posted a how to many times on the forum. The easiest way to pull the old and install the new is from the top. I didn't have the rad cooler, so basically pull the rubber cover off the top in front of degas bottle, pull the bolt out of the bracket that holds the right side of the AC condensor to the truck, this will allow it to flex out of the way, now pull the grill off ( 4 screws on top, and 4 spring clips down under) I also pulled my hood latch, with a long extension remove 3 of the 4 bolts holding the cooler in place, crawl under truck, place vice grips on rubber trans lines to close them off, cut the rubber lines close to the cooler, remove 4th bolt and place a rag over the top of the condensor or you arm will look like it was in a cat fight, pull cooler out from top, install new cooler, fasten with all 4 bolts. Now go back to where the hard line ends on the frame and follow the rubber lines, stagger your cut's about 4" apart and cut the soft lines and install your brass barbed adaptors that are 3/8 on one end and 1/2 on the other, now simply run your hoses the way you want and zip tie out of the way. There is no flow direction to a trans cooler, but the factory plums it with the inlet on drivers side. If you have the cooler in the rad. The only difference is where you covert from 3/8 to 1/2 you will do this between the rad and trans cooler on the inlet and on thew return it will be the same as without the rad cooler, ( close to the metal return line on the frame). Maybe someone can put this in the tech files. If you have any ? PM me

NCH

[caryt]

I know the cooler has 1/2" barb fittings but some trucks have 5/16" hard lines from the trans..Tymar has a kit with new 3/8" hard lines with all the adapters needed to hook up to the radator and the 6.0 cooler.

cary

[dikdragon]

Did the cooler replacment and tranny never went over 135. outside temp was around 80. I think my stock cooler must have been gummed up or something. I just wanted to thank everyone- NCHORNET-Thanx buddy,really useful info.