Tx cooler or not ?

[Flyer15015]

Being the "new to us" class "A" 2004 Pace Arrow 37c, we are adjusting to life with a gas motor here in the mountains of Colorado.
We came out of a 2007 Jayco Seneca 33ss (Duramax) which would pull anything with ease.

With the coach at 22K, we typically pull a dodge minivan on a dolly, when on vacation OR an 8K# twenty four foot car hauler with our '31 Chrysler Imperial in it when going to the local car shows.

However, even with the Ultra RV ECM / TCM, plugs and wires this 8.1 gasser seems a bit weak in the knees. I've gotten used to the "jet engine" sound when the fan kicks in, but I'm worried about the TX. The Jayco had a Tx temp gage I could watch, but the Pace Arrow does not.

Doing Monarch pass in August, pulling 8K, is going to be tough, even at night.

SO.... I'm thinking about putting a Hayden (or equivalent) Tx cooler up front, spaced out about 6" in front of the A.C. evaporator. May add a small pancake fan on a switch later.

My question is, have any of you with the W-22 chassis (8.1) done this and do you have pictures of yours you would be willing to share, or experiences relating to doing this ?

Mike in Colorado

[yeloduster]

I have had over heat issues with both the engine and transmission in my 2003 W20 chassis.

For the engine, be sure that the rubber curtain that hangs from the motorhome cowl to the top of the radiator is complete and in good condition. This forces air through the radiator an not over the top of the engine. I used this Material for the curtain.

I solved my transmission heat problems with OIL PAN. This pan adds an extra quart capacity to the pan and fins add more cooling.

I also added Temperature Gauge. The PPE pan has a port for the sending unit.

I chose to go this route because I didn't have to deal with mounting an external cooler, the pan does not add to the heat load of the radiator and I didn't have to involve transmission cooling lines.

My sump temps are routinely about 150F while cruising and may climb to about 210F when climbing mountains such as Monarch Pass. I've never had heat issues since repairing the rubber curtain and adding the PPE pan. I live in Colorado and ALL my roads are either up or down!

See the attached pictures.

I modified my dash to mount the temperature gauge and a vacuum gauge.

[edgray]

Originally Posted by Flyer15015

Being the "new to us" class "A" 2004 Pace Arrow 37c, we are adjusting to life with a gas motor here in the mountains of Colorado.
We came out of a 2007 Jayco Seneca 33ss (Duramax) which would pull anything with ease.

With the coach at 22K, we typically pull a dodge minivan on a dolly, when on vacation OR an 8K# twenty four foot car hauler with our '31 Chrysler Imperial in it when going to the local car shows.

However, even with the Ultra RV ECM / TCM, plugs and wires this 8.1 gasser seems a bit weak in the knees. I've gotten used to the "jet engine" sound when the fan kicks in, but I'm worried about the TX. The Jayco had a Tx temp gage I could watch, but the Pace Arrow does not.

Doing Monarch pass in August, pulling 8K, is going to be tough, even at night.

SO.... I'm thinking about putting a Hayden (or equivalent) Tx cooler up front, spaced out about 6" in front of the A.C. evaporator. May add a small pancake fan on a switch later.

My question is, have any of you with the W-22 chassis (8.1) done this and do you have pictures of yours you would be willing to share, or experiences relating to doing this ?

Mike in Colorado

MIKE: I can't help with pictures of an add-on TX cooler, but just want you to understand that your are seriously overloading the rated capacity of the Allison 1000 series 5 speed tranny. If you max out the GVWR of 22K and are expecting a chassis with a 26,000 pound GCVWR to handle 30,000 combined weight load, especially over Rocky Mountain passes, you are expecting too much and asking for trouble, I'm afraid.

FWIW, I don't know of ANY gasser that can tow 8,000 pounds without risking damage at some point.

I would love to see a picture of your classic car My Impala is 29 years younger than your Imperial.

[F4Gary]

Clicked on this wondering what the heck is a Texas Cooler....


That's a nice looking aftermarket oil pan.

[CJ7365]

If your Workhorse chassis is overheating, you have a cooling problem or you are working it too hard. There is no need for add on fans etc......I have taken my W22 over sever 6% to 8% grades through the dessert with no issue, of course I was not towing 8000lbs.

[wolfe10]

Suspect that translates to TRANSMISSION COOLER.

[Flyer15015]

Here you go Ed.
Second picture is us headed for Florida in April.
She did O.K. once we got to Kansas and beyond.
It's just the mountains I'm concerned about.

The aluminum pan with a port for the gauge sound very interesting.
Got a source ?

Mike in Colorado

[donr103]

Mine is 7.4l with 4l80e... i found OEM. Trans cooler added hi quality fan to that.. what a difference.. also going to add pan with gauge port.. best thing you can do beside adding a fan and sw.. also going to add another derale.. Trans cooler with fan after rad.. the cooler you run a trans the longer it last.. but if pulling heavy loads change oil more often.. your obd2 port might monitor trans temp.. use that.. I think your have spin on trans oil filter.. you can buy a kit for that to add oil cooler.. good luck let us know how you did.. I would be inclined to change oil best I can get.. every trip.. until I get modifications on..

[donr103]

I forgot.. add extra eng oil cooler too.. I went with the spin on adapter.. and the largest derale.. oil cooler with fan.. you can find all these parts at jegs.. summit racing .. the stock oil cooler is not that great.. I mounted it on Dr side and made my own mount.. easy job..

[donr103]

Sometimes you can add a gauge to trans test port.. there is one on 4l80e but you would have to Google where to add gauge on your type of trans.. hopefully you just add one to your test port like I did..

[donr103]

Opps.. don't forget your diff.. that is the most forgotten part.. change that a lot and best oil.. you can add a bigger pan on that too.. I believe.. and Change brake fluid every yr.. I would put lower thermostat in.. I went to 160 and have no problems.. i don't run in the winters and it seems mother nature is getting hotter and hotter.. thermostat is cheap.. and Change to best coolant.. this should be enough for you to consider.. keep us posted..

[CamJam1]

Originally Posted by edgray

MIKE: I can't help with pictures of an add-on TX cooler, but just want you to understand that your are seriously overloading the rated capacity of the Allison 1000 series 5 speed tranny. If you max out the GVWR of 22K and are expecting a chassis with a 26,000 pound GCVWR to handle 30,000 combined weight load, especially over Rocky Mountain passes, you are expecting too much and asking for trouble, I'm afraid.

FWIW, I don't know of ANY gasser that can tow 8,000 pounds without risking damage at some point.

I would love to see a picture of your classic car My Impala is 29 years younger than your Imperial.

What he said. I tow a 3,200 lb PT Cruiser with my W-22 and am only 2,000 lbs below the 26,000 GCWR when loaded.

Love the Chrysler! I have a couple old cars too... nothing that old though.

[yeloduster]

Originally Posted by Flyer15015

The aluminum pan with a port for the gauge sound very interesting.
Got a source ?

Mike in Colorado

Hi Mike,

The underlined and bolded text in my post earlier in this thread are links to where I bought the material. Click on THIS. Just click on the links and you will get there. If that doesn't work for you let me know.

I've towed my Jeep all over the central Rockies. Wolf Creek, Monarch, Vail, Berthoud, the Tunnels, Tennessee, Douglas, Powder River, Dead Indian, and lots more. I'm right around 24000# towing.

[edgray]

MIKE : Thanks, that is a spectacular car for sure. Love the color and the massive body. It certainly deserves to ride in an enclosed trailer.
Safe travels !
Ed