Best Transmission Cooler And Suspension Enhancements On A 2009 Chevrolet Suburban

Question:

im looking for an external transmission cooler to fit my 2009 suburban 1500 4x4. it has the 5.3 liter motor and 4l60 transmission. i tow a 24ft enclosed trailer with offroad toys inside maybe 5-7k LBS. and the transmission gets really hot. I live in southern cali with really hot summer days which doesnt help. other forums have people saying that setup can run at 230-240 degrees when heavy towing but im not comfortable with it getting that hot. Also the rear and squats a lot and sways a lot. i have the hitch with the torsions and sway control but im thinking maybe airbags or those SUMO pads will help the squat and sway. any advise would be appretiated. thanks

asked by: Mike

Expert Reply:

Lets first start out my addressing the transmission temperatures on your 2009 Chevrolet Suburban. I have two options for you to consider. Both are transmission coolers, however, each are designed to mount in a separate location.

If you find yourself frequently stopping in traffic, where airflow to the radiator is restricted, I recommend using a remote mount transmission cooler like the Derale Hyper-Cool Extreme Remote Cooler Assembly w/ Fan part # D15876 in addition to the Derale Remote Mounting Kit for Transmission Coolers pat # D13022. The kit can be mounted anywhere on the vehicle regardless of airflow. If you find yourself traveling mostly on the highway without frequent stopping, I recommend using the Derale Series 8000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler Kit part # D13503 and installing it in between the radiator and front grill. Regardless of which cooler you choose, you will want to use the Derale Snap-In Radiator Adapter Fitting for GM part # D13035 for a seamless installation.

Now to address the rear vehicle sag. I will say that suspension enhancements are not necessary when using the correct/properly installed weight distribution system. It may be necessary to upgrade to a higher capacity spring bar if you are not within the recommended capacity of that unit. If you do choose to use a set of rear suspension enchantments, I highly recommend a set of airbags as you mentioned. The Air Lift Ride Control Air Helper Springs part # AL59526 is an excellent option for you as it will not only help to level the rear of the vehicle but will also provide an increased ride comfort.