Installing A Transmission Cooler On A 2007 Chevy Express 3500 6.0L Roadtrek Conversion Van

Question:

I have a 2007 Chevy 3500 Express van, with 6.0L engine. It is converted to a Roadtrek motor home with a travel weight of about 9400 lbs. I sometimes tow a trailer with total weight of about 2500 lbs. I see you have transmission coolers with different GTW ratings. What is GTW and which rating would be needed for my vehicle? Which transmission coolers would fit my application? What adapters are needed too? Do you have an installation guide, video, etc. that I can look at now? I am generally handy doing my own work, is mounting your cooler pretty straight forward easy? Is necessary hardware included for mounting and fastening the cooler to my vehicle? How much additional transmission fluid is required for the additional system volume?

asked by: Tom A

Expert Reply:

To determine what kind of transmission cooler you will need depends on how much weight you will be towing and where you will be towing. Also, you will also want to measure the area in front of the AC condenser to see what size cooler will fit on your 2007 Chevy. I am sending a link to a FAQ page that will give you information on transmission coolers.

The GTW rating is the Gross Towing Weight capacity. This is the weight of the trailer, including the load in the trailer. This will help you decide the correct transmission cooler for your vehicle.

I would recommend the Derale Series 8000 Plate Fin Class III Transmission Cooler # D13503 which has a GTW rating up to 6,000 lbs. This will give you a large enough capacity for your 2,500 lbs. trailer and give you extra capacity if you ever need to tow a larger trailer. The size of the heat exchanger is 11 inches wide x 8-3/4 inches tall x 7/8 inches deep. These are the dimensions you will need to check on your vehicle to make sure you will have room to install the transmission cooler.

The only extra adapters you will need to install the transmission cooler on your vehicle will depend on what 6.0L engine size you have. If you have the 368 cubic inch engine you will need the Derale Radiator Adapter Fittings for GM # D13018. If you have the 364 cubic inch engine you will need the Derale Snap-In Radiator Adapter Fitting for GM # D13035. These adapters allow you to connect the transmission cooler to your vehicles radiator without cutting or flaring of lines.

Installation of a transmission cooler on your vehicle is fairly simply. The Derale Transmission Cooler # D13503, installs in-line with the transmission fluid return line. First, you will want to find a place to mount it and use the included fasteners to attach through the cooler and to the mounting point. Then, you will measure and cut the hose and connect from the transmission to the cooler and measure and cut another length of hose from cooler to the transmission.

The only additional amount of transmission fluid that is added would be the amount that will be in the hoses that will connect the cooler to the transmission. It is a minimal amount, like maybe less than a pint.

I am including a video link of a transmission cooler being installed on a 2006 Honda CR-V. You may not have to take off the front bumper cover to install on your vehicle. We mostly did it for purposes of the video so that we can clearly show what is being done.