[Switchblade]

I recently purchased a toy hauler camping trailer that I now tow with my 03 Expedition. She does a good job with the 6000-7000 lbs trailer. Going up the steep grades I slow down to about 35 mph, but she keeps going and the temp and oil pressure gauges never move. In talking to some people, they say the issue to watch out for is the transmission over heating. There is no tranny temp gauge so how do you watch for that? I have just over 100k miles on it and the transmission has been perfect. I have the 5.4L EB 4x4 edtiion.

Should I (can I?) add a tranny temp gauge?

Should I look at a tranny cooler setup?

Or....just not worry about it and hope I never over heat it...?

Thanks,

Steve

[Cuda_jim]

A temp gauge is a good idea, a larger trans cooler is even better.
Do not tow in OD below 50-55 MPH, the trans will overheat.

[Switchblade]

Originally Posted by Cuda_jim

A temp gauge is a good idea, a larger trans cooler is even better. Do not tow in OD below 50-55 MPH, the trans will overheat.

I actually turn OD off when I tow, even on flat ground. I'm sure I loose some gas milage, but I don't care.

Ok, I figured a temp gauge would be good. Any idea on how to add one? Is this something I can do, or do I have to take it to a shop?

For a tranny cooler. You say a bigger one. I guess that means there is one there already, and does that mean I just have to swap it out for a larger one? Any brand recommendations?

Thanks!

Steve

[Cuda_jim]

Put the sender here:

[Switchblade]

How do I know which temp gauges will work with my 03 Expedition? I'll looking at several websites that sell them, but they don't seem to be vehicle specific.

[Switchblade]

Ok, found this tranny temp gauge, but how do I tell if the sensor part will work with my Expedition?

http://www.glowshiftdirect.com/blue-digital-transmission-temperature-gauge.aspx

If this will work with my tranny, I would just need to get a gauge pod.

[Cuda_jim]

They all should work and have adapters to fit various scenarios, be sure to get a high quality gauge. Most high perf web sites have them. Get a temp range from 90F to 250F

Summitracing.com
jegs.com

[Cuda_jim]

Originally Posted by Switchblade

Ok, found this tranny temp gauge, but how do I tell if the sensor part will work with my Expedition? http://www.glowshiftdirect.com/blue-digital-transmission-temperature-gauge.aspx If this will work with my tranny, I would just need to get a gauge pod.

Stay away from glowshift, junk.

[Switchblade]

Ok, thanks for the advice, no glowshift...

ok, Jegs has this setup,

gauge pod, single, Auto Meter 15304 Auto Meter 2-1/16'' Single Gauge Pods

Auto Meter trans temp gauge, Auto Meter 6349 Auto Meter Digital Gauges

With the adaptor they say I might need, this adds up to $120. The question is installation, self or shop. Do people just drill a hole in the tranny pan for the sender unit?

[Switchblade]

and I found this tranny cooler, B&M 70298 B&M Hi-Tek Cooling System

Is that a good one?

[Switchblade]

Originally Posted by Cuda_jim

Put the sender here:

Thanks Mr Jim I somehow missed this post, must be too many beers on a Saturday thing...

[Cuda_jim]

Your welcome, glad I'm not the only one haha!

The gauge and pod is a good choice IMO.

The cooler is a little over kill....no need for a fan if you mount it in front of the radiator/condenser. Why not install the guage and see how high the trans temps are getting. Your 03 has a good size cooler on it already.

[Switchblade]

Originally Posted by Cuda_jim

Your welcome, glad I'm not the only one haha! The gauge and pod is a good choice IMO. The cooler is a little over kill....no need for a fan if you mount it in front of the radiator/condenser. Why not install the guage and see how high the trans temps are getting. Your 03 has a good size cooler on it already.

That's not a bad idea. BTW, what temp range should I be seeing, both regular and then towing. I understand the high limit to be around 250. Is that right?

Thanks again!

[Cuda_jim]

Actually a good scan gauge will tell you the TFT (Trans Fluid Temp) while driving if you can borrow one. Take a ride with your rig loaded up....see how high it gets.

I like to keep mine under 200F but as you can see:
Heat Kills Trannys

[Switchblade]

200 or under sounds good to me. I'm going to buy the gauge setup, as I'll want to always know what that temp is when I tow. I'll being towing again in about 1 month and will have it installed by then. I'm eager to see how high it goes when I'm on a 6% grade pulling 7000+ pounds worth of trailer for 40 miles, omg.

[Switchblade]

Originally Posted by Cuda_jim

Put the sender here:

Hi Jim,

All of my parts showed up today. I see the bolt that you said I should use. I assume that I can just pull that exisitng bolt out and screw in the adaptor that came with my gauge/sending unit. If that is correct, then this looks simple. I've never touched a tranny before, so should I expect any oil to leak out of that bolt hole during the swap?

Thanks,

Steve

[Cuda_jim]

There might be some residual fluid with the plug removed but not a flood. It's good time to drain the fluid anyway.......a new filter too.....just a little extra insurance. You might have a drain in the torque converter too, I can't remember what year it was eliminated. Pull the rubber plug on the bottom of the bell housing, roll the engine by hand while looking for the plug.

[Switchblade]

Originally Posted by Cuda_jim

There might be some residual fluid with the plug removed but not a flood. It's good time to drain the fluid anyway.......a new filter too.....just a little extra insurance. You might have a drain in the torque converter too, I can't remember what year it was eliminated. Pull the rubber plug on the bottom of the bell housing, roll the engine by hand while looking for the plug.

Cool, thanks Jim!

[Switchblade]

Ok the gauge is in and working. Just running around town it hit 178 degrees. My guess is that it will be cooler on the freeway, more air passing through the cooler. I'm surprised that it was that high though. Outside temp in my town is around 95 degrees so it's just hot.

How much hotter should I expect it to go while towing up hills? If 200 is the limit, then I'm most likely looking at needing an aftermarket cooler.

[2000Expy]

Originally Posted by Cuda_jim

Actually a good scan gauge will tell you the TFT (Trans Fluid Temp) while driving if you can borrow one. Take a ride with your rig loaded up....see how high it gets. I like to keep mine under 200F but as you can see: Heat Kills Trannys

Interesting the graph only goes to 100,000 miles. I have a 2000 expy 5.4 4x4 with 128k, and a 1992 bimmer w 275k, both originals trannys. But...I do change the tranny fluid every other year regardless of mileage.