Put Non-Automatic Radiator into Automatic Bronco 2

wildbill23c said:

Good point with the warranty. I thought about getting a radiator from the pick a part but I got to thinking if I do that, if there's gunk in that radiator cooler and it comes loose and gets into the transmission it can cause a failure as well. Better to just do it right and buy a new radiator with the cooler in it and be done with it.

Now for a new question, looks like the current radiator is only a single row, I wouldn't mind getting a larger radiator if it would fit, I think the 4.0 engines had the 2 row radiators, any harm in ordering the radiator for the 4.0 engine? Looks like there should be enough room to do so.

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Here is a post from another member on swapping the 4.0 rad...I've seen this posted a few times and it seems pretty easy to do...

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=92834

I have never liked the idea of using the engine cooling system to cool the tranny. The possibility exist of overheating the engine and transmission.

wildbill23c said:

Good point with the warranty. I thought about getting a radiator from the pick a part but I got to thinking if I do that, if there's gunk in that radiator cooler and it comes loose and gets into the transmission it can cause a failure as well. Better to just do it right and buy a new radiator with the cooler in it and be done with it.

Now for a new question, looks like the current radiator is only a single row, I wouldn't mind getting a larger radiator if it would fit, I think the 4.0 engines had the 2 row radiators, any harm in ordering the radiator for the 4.0 engine? Looks like there should be enough room to do so.

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Do it.

85_Ranger4x4 said:

Most transmission rebuild places require the cooling system to be replaced with the trans for the warranty. Kind of odd they didn't do it when they did the trans.

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It depends on the place, and the reason for failure. At Ford as long as the trans didn't fail due to heat we were allowed to just flush the cooler, but it had to be flushed out and flow tested any time a trans was replaced.

One time I installed a Jasper trans that came with an aux cooler that we had to install for the warranty to be honored.

Blown said:

I have never liked the idea of using the engine cooling system to cool the tranny. The possibility exist of overheating the engine and transmission.

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There are advantages and disadvantages to this, just like with everything else in this world. Cooling the trans with the engine system does open up the possibility of the engine overheating the trans, although I have never seen it happen. I have seen a few engines die from overheating and the auto trans survive. But doing it that way provides stability to the system. Also, most engines run in the 190-195 range. Most transmissions I have seen stay around 170.

I saw in that link I put above that one of the kits comes with a transmission fluid temperature gauge...I've never seen one...but I've never towed anything or been in any tow trucks with them installed.

Thought it was a good idea especially if you are towing or heavy stop and go...

I would want to put one on...might actually consider this on the Dodge because it's already gone through one shift solenoid and I'd like to try to prevent that from happening again...considering the cost of replacing the solenoid and comparing it with the cost of installing a temp gauge it might be worth the cost/effort.

adsm08 said:

It depends on the place, and the reason for failure. At Ford as long as the trans didn't fail due to heat we were allowed to just flush the cooler, but it had to be flushed out and flow tested any time a trans was replaced.

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We had the trans go out of a service truck here at work, every place we checked (didn't check Ford) required the entire cooling system changed.

Nothing really bad happened, it just lost third gear. It runs and drives normal, the fluid looks good... just a pretty steep jump from second to fourth.

I think I'm going to order the larger 2 row radiator and while I'm at it flush the system and replace the iffy thermostat and add my gauge set. I figured a larger radiator couldn't hurt, more cooling capacity is always a good thing.

Where is the temp sensor? Is it on the thermostat housing? Looks like it is, nevermind LOL.

Where is the oil pressure sensor at on the 2.9L V6, the 2.8L V6 was on the driver's side if I recall, is the 2.9L V6 in the same place? Its a little cold and snowy here don't wanna go crawling around under it right now.