What's more important: trans temp or trans fluid?

[Tyrolkid]

I just did a complete flush of my recently acquired '94 Explorer. 15 qts of Mobil 1 ATF, cleaned the pan and swapped the filter. I also added a trans cooler for a total of three(one in radiator, factory external stacked plate, and aftermarket permacool unit). My question is this: Would you rather have a synthetic trans oil with no cooler, or a regualr trans oil and supplemental cooler? I know I have both

 

[WDP]

Looks like you have both covered well. IMHO, if you don't tow or do the off-road Baja racing the syn swap would be suffuicent for the useage. The Ford auto transmissions are a tad weak, and you might want to consider a remote spin on filter set up by Perma Cool or something similar, easy to install and get more grit out of the fluid than the factory "rock screen" they have.

WDP

 

[Mike242GT]

I kinda think it depends upon what the vehicle is being asked to do. If you're doing some towing with it, then the external cooler is probably more important, since you'll be changing the fluid more often due to the severe service. But in just regular service with no towing, I'd think the synthetic fluid might be more important.

My highest mileage auto transmission vehicle has over 185K on the original transmission, no external cooler, running "conventional" Dexron III/Mercon fluid changed every 20-25K, so I don't think either synthetic fluid or a cooler are absolutely necessary unless you're towing.

 

[Schmoe]

Wow. Do you actually need all those coolers? Especially living in NYC. I can see maybe one if your doing a lot of city traffic. I would go with the synthetic/no cooler route IF I wasn't towing anything. I have a F150 01 Screw with the towing package that actually has 2 from the factory. And like Mike, I have a auto. with about 183K, using standard GM fluids and have no cooler and so far, no problems. Change out fluid and filter every 50K, but these are 98% highway miles of 75mph.

[ March 17, 2004, 02:10 PM: Message edited by: Schmoe ]

 

[XS650]

Tryolkid,

The first thing you need to do is find out what the acceptable operating temperatures are for your transmission and the fluids you are considering.

The second is to install a trans temperature gauge and deterimine if you would benefit from additional cooling.

Anything else, barring obvious problems, is just guessing

 

[TheJMan19]

Very good move by switching to syn fluid and adding a cooler. I have a 1993 Explorer with the A4LD and the transmission is a piece. We took a trip once that started at 1000 feet and ended at 9000 feet above sea level. About a 3 hour drive, and the transmission overheated. Even with the factory transmission cooler, it overheated. We managed to bring it back to town and guess what... it was toast. We had to get an entirely new transmission, about $2000.

 

[XS650]

quote:

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Originally posted by TheJMan19:
Very good move by switching to syn fluid and adding a cooler. I have a 1993 Explorer with the A4LD and the transmission is a piece. We took a trip once that started at 1000 feet and ended at 9000 feet above sea level. About a 3 hour drive, and the transmission overheated. Even with the factory transmission cooler, it overheated. We managed to bring it back to town and guess what... it was toast. We had to get an entirely new transmission, about $2000.

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You are a good advertisement for trans oil temperature gauges.

Were you letting the trans shift for itself while climbing the hills?

[ March 17, 2004, 05:32 PM: Message edited by: XS650 ]