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Old 01-12-2025, 10:50 AM   #1
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Ram additional transmission cooler necessary.

I know there are lots of Ram enthusiasts out there. I just bought a used 2022 1500 5.7 hemi. I’ll be towing up to 6000 pounds and am wondering if anyone recommends adding an additional transmission cooler? I’ve already installed air bag 1000’s. Not planning on doing excessive mountain roads in the summer. Thanks
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Old 01-12-2025, 10:59 AM   #2
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Doubt it but whats the tow rating?
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Old 01-12-2025, 11:04 AM   #3
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I don't think you can hurt it by adding a cooler. If I'm thinking about it, I alway error on the side of adding a cooler. Never know when you are going to go up a 7 degree for a few miles. Get the trans to hot and it's time to rebuild or new.

Only thing you must get the flow through the cooler in the right direction and orination.
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Old 01-12-2025, 11:24 AM   #4
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Tony,
Check with PPE / Summit Racing and see if they offer a cast aluminum deep transmission pan for yours.
I put one on my Allison 1000 along with a double sized filter and it added about 4 quarts to the capacity. Has cooling fins inside and out and it really keeps ours cool on some long mountain grades while pulling a 24' enclosed car hauler.
Mine came with a bung to add a temp gage and we never go over 195F on the longest pull. Sure would be a lot simpler. I got the unpainted one for maximum cooling.

Mike in Colorado
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Old 01-12-2025, 11:44 AM   #5
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I would just do a double stacked B&M cooler large BTU
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Old 01-13-2025, 09:56 AM   #6
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This is my suggestion as to what I would do if I had a 1/2- ton gas truck.

I would start out by establishing a base line temperature for the transmission towing your trailer.

I would add a temperature sensor to the transmission cooler line that is plumbed to the factory cooler. The probe would provide the output temperature of the transmission fluid to a gage that you have added into the cab.

You may find out that you do not even need an additional cooler if the temps are around 215F when towing.

Once the base line is established you can then achieve additional cooling by the lowest cost solution that you choose.

Either an additional cooler with hoses and hardware or a deep-dish Al transmission pan which holds additional transmission fluid.

As an example, for my Dodge 6.7L Cummins.68RFE auto, my transmission sump temps are around 185 to 200F when towing my 13'-6" 5th wheel. I have a deep-dish AL pan that is fined that holds an extra 3 quarts of fluid. This is about 25F cooler when I didn't have the deep-dish pan installed on the transmission towing a smaller (height) 5th wheel.

This is just me I like DATA before making a decision.
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Old 01-13-2025, 09:58 AM   #7
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If the truck has a tow package, it should already have a trans cooler installed from the factory. As long as you stay beneath your payload capacity/tow ratings you shouldn't need airbags nor a secondary transmission cooler.

I agree with checking temps now... but you already have a trans temp gauge in the instrument cluster. Shouldn't need to add an external gauge.
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Old 01-13-2025, 10:01 AM   #8
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If the truck has a tow package, it should already have a trans cooler installed from the factory. As long as you stay beneath your payload capacity/tow ratings you shouldn't need airbags nor a secondary transmission cooler.

I agree with checking temps now... but you already have a trans temp gauge in the instrument cluster. Shouldn't need to add an external gauge.
^^^^This
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Old 01-13-2025, 06:34 PM   #9
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I agree with checking temps now... but you already have a trans temp gauge in the instrument cluster. Shouldn't need to add an external gauge.
If that is like most other modern cars/trucks, that is nothing more than what the ECM thinks the normal parameters are. This is not a true reading just like your oil pressure or coolant temps are not actual readings but what the ECM is telling the gage to say.

Do a deep dive on this subject and find out the facts. The actual readings went by the wayside a long time ago, all in the name of saving money for the manufactures.

Your truck and your dime, I am just suggesting what I would do.
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Old 01-14-2025, 09:00 AM   #10
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If that is like most other modern cars/trucks, that is nothing more than what the ECM thinks the normal parameters are. This is not a true reading just like your oil pressure or coolant temps are not actual readings but what the ECM is telling the gage to say.

Do a deep dive on this subject and find out the facts. The actual readings went by the wayside a long time ago, all in the name of saving money for the manufactures.

Your truck and your dime, I am just suggesting what I would do.
It shouldn't matter. As long as the ECM/TCM says the temps are within the acceptable range it shouldn't harm anything. I'm not saying there's no value to having an external gauge or cooler, just saying that it likely isn't necessary to achieve what the OP is asking. IMO, as long as he stays within the parameters of what the truck is designed for, the ancillary stuff is a "nice to have" and not a "gotta have".

This is the primary reason I advocate for staying within the capacities of the truck. None of this other stuff is necessary if you do. It's literally designed to do it.
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Old 01-14-2025, 09:37 AM   #11
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OP's only towing 6000 lbs. Rams tow chart shows 8000 lbs + with 3.21 gears. 10,000 + with 3.92 gears.
Never have got a response from the OP on what the trucks tow rating is.
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Old 01-14-2025, 09:52 AM   #12
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Originally Posted by TonyOIB View Post
I know there are lots of Ram enthusiasts out there. I just bought a used 2022 1500 5.7 hemi. I’ll be towing up to 6000 pounds and am wondering if anyone recommends adding an additional transmission cooler? I’ve already installed air bag 1000’s. Not planning on doing excessive mountain roads in the summer. Thanks
Do you have a means to monitor transmission temperature? Most of these trucks do, you can bring it up the dash. These trucks are designed with towing in mind and if you have tow package that includes trans and maybe even engine oil cooling. My 1500 Denali trans runs about 140 to 180 no matter what I do with it. With lock up torque converters transmissions fluid should not be getting heated for torque converter slip like in the old days. Monitor and see if there is a need before adding other points of failure.
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Old 01-14-2025, 09:58 AM   #13
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I'll agree with others that a modern truck, not worn out and used within its ratings should not need to be monkeyed with. With half tons, the door sticker payload usually bites before the tow rating. Check it and be sure.
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Old 01-14-2025, 10:06 AM   #14
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I am very old school been driving vehicles since I was sixteen years old which is many MOONS ago (started in the mid 60's).

I always have relied on gauges and not idiot lights or the new ECM information from modern day vehicles. Since this is a working vehicle towing a 5er I want the information that is accurate and not what the engineers say is ok.

My DW refuse to drive my truck as she claims there is too much to remember and do when driving the truck. Such as Boost pressure, EGT's, transmission temperatures, Fuel & Oil pressure plus exhaust brake to turn on.


I do realize that there are tolerances built into the probes and gauges. But a quality gauge will have a closer tolerance band than a cheaper gauge. And once a base line is established that is what you try to mirror.

Now as far as her car since it is not towing anything and is a grocery getter. The factory sensors that provide the information to the ECM and driver is adequate.


This is just me, but my tuck is 17 years old and is still going strong and can pull day in and day out if needed.
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