KNP - HD towing pkg retrofit

[JSUISS]

Hey everybody. I'm new to the Avy and trucks in general, but after only 3 months, I don't know how I ever lived without one!

I apologize in advance if you're tired of hearing about tranny coolers but I had this idea while I was picking out the parts I would need to replace tranny cooler lines and fluid/filter (I just hit 160km so it's time). My Avy didn't come with the HD cooling option (KNP) but it seems easy enough to retrofit so I thought I'd toss it out there for feedback. Anyone done it with stock parts?

My current system has two cooler lines from tranny to the main radiator. If I understand right, the aux cooler is added to this circuit and doesn't eliminate fluid going to the main rad. So oil goes to aux cooler, then main rad, then back to tranny? Is there anything I'm missing before I order parts?

Auxiliary Cooler Inlet Tube, GM Genuine 15779543 {#15291422}
Inlet and Outlet; Heavy Duty Tran Cooling System, GM Genuine 25999420
and the cooler is CSF 20025 {#20880895}.

At the end of the day the it's about 100 bucks out of pocket and I believe this should bump me up from 5500lbs towing capacity to 7 thousand something.

Also, if this turns out not to be a stupid idea, I'll post some steps and pics.

 

[EXT4ME]

Fluid into the radiator cooler first, then to the auxiliary cooler then back to the transmission.

 

[EXT4ME]

I wouldn't even mess with installing the OEM cooler.

Go ahead and bump up to the Tru-Cool - Max LPD47391 47391 Low Pressure Drop Transmission Oil Cooler.

Pick up one of these Hayden Automotive 397 Transmission Line Fitting Kit to plug into the port on the radiator and use Derale 13017 Transmission/Engine Oil Hose for your lines.

There are some Youtube videos describing the installation.

 

[JSUISS]

Awesome reply, love the idea of using rubber hose instead of hard lines. Thanks for the links tho nothing ships to Canada. I've got some planning to do.

 

[locaman]

Hey did you find a place and get that cooler installed? I've got a '12 LT with a 3.08 gear ratio and am looking to buy an RV but the unloaded vehicle weight is just shy of 5000 lbs. I'm wondering if I will be ok pulling it. The tow rating is 5K w/o the cooler package which of course, I don't have. I love this truck and hate the thought of having to buy a goat or a ford just to pull a new trailer.

 

[Vaeagleav]

There is more involved in increasing towing capacity then just a cooler locaman.
You should take time to read older posts that also include a better hitch, maybe even weight distribution setup, some change the gears to get more torque and some also add a Magnussen Supercharger to help increase towing ability.