Transmission Cooler for 2018 Ford F150 SuperCrew XLT - 4wd 5.0L V8 Without Factory Tow Package

Question:

I have a 2018 Ford F150 SuperCrew XLT 4wd w/ the 5.0L V8. It did not come w/ the factory max tow package or even a trailer tow package. I added a class IV tow hitch/receiver w/ 7-pin harness after I bought it. I am towing a 3,500 lb travel trailer with it and it does just fine. My travel trailer has electronic brakes, so I bought the Kurtz bluetooth brake controller from eTailer that plugs into the receiver harness and it works fantastic! The one thing I wish my truck had was a transmission cooler, which comes with Fords tow package. Is there a transmission cooler that will easily connect to my trucks transmission, that I can do in my garage without having to take it to Ford dealership to install? Im pretty handy and mechanically inclined that if its something that can be connected without any machinery or special equipment, I can do. Im just not knowledgeable on what can be installed on my truck for cooling the transmission. If eTrailer does have a transmission cooler that works on my truck, could you also send how to videos on how to install it? Thanks!

asked by: Preston J

Expert Reply:

Most aftermarket transmission coolers we carry are going to fit a wide variety of vehicles, and for someone who is mechanically inclined they're a relatively easy installation. For maximum cooling, bigger is always better and plate fin coolers do a better job of dispersing heat than a tube fin cooler. For those reasons I recommend going with the Derale # D13504 which is an 11" wide x 12" tall x 7/8" deep plate fin cooler. This is a standard mount cooler that can be mounted in 3 different positions- in front of the air conditioner condenser for 100% efficiency; between the air conditioner condenser and radiator for 75% efficiency; or between the radiator and fan for 60% efficiency.

I've attached a video of a cooler being installed on a late model Ford F-350 to give you an idea of what this is going to entail, but we have not installed any of these on newer trucks yet- so we won't have a video for your specific truck. There is also a link to a helpful article on transmission coolers to give you some more information.

expert reply by: Erik B