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Tru-Cool 40k Transmission Cooler on 2500 Avalanche

I'm not sure if my comment will be helpful or not since I have a 1500, but I do have a Tru-Cool 42K ready to be installed in my Avalanche whenever I get around to it.

I do not know how the 2500 series radiator compares to the 1500 series radiator in regards to the transmission ports, but I have a Hayden Automotive 397 Transmission Line Fitting Kit and a box of Derale 13017 Transmission/Engine Oil Hose standing by for my installation.

Once the cooler is mounted, the line fitting simply plugs into the existing port on the radiator where the transmission fluid exits the radiator and the hose routes the fluid up to the new cooler.

The exit port from the Tru-Cool 42K then has a hose connection to the OEM cooler line that is headed back to the radiator.

The line fitting, the hose and a few hose clamps and you are done.

But, like I said, I do not have a 2500 so all of this may not apply.
 
I don't think my transmission lines go in the radiator but maybe. I thought the ones to the cooler both come directly out of the passenger side of the transmission but I need to double check. I believe all i saw going to the radiator were the engine oil cooler lines. If they do come out of the radiator then that fitting you linked to should make it easier.

I did find what I think are the 90 degree elbow fittings I can use for the cooler side so that the rubber hose doesn't kink (although the TC kit comes with two of the correct straight fittings).

I still need one more 5/8-18 female inverted flare to 3/8 barb fitting for the factory line side since the TC kit only comes with 1.

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My original goal was to mount the TC40k cooler, just replacing the stock one, while using the OEM lines and not cutting them up. If I find this to be too complex or not feasible, I may just run new -6AN lines from the trans to the cooler. I know the fittings on both ends are available.
 
So I looked this morning and my trans lines do go through the radiator. Looks like one of the cooler lines comes out of the top side of the passenger side of the radiator.

Thinking now that I may just use the parts EXT4ME posted on the one side of the cooler, replacing the OE line altogether with a rubber line. Then use the parts I posted earlier for the other end. We shall see.
 
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If you go back my post on the first page, there's a drawing of the trans line routing..
 
Update on the cooler; I finally got it installed last night. It was quite easy actually. It took longer to figure out exactly how I want to mount it than actually installing. I did like EXT4ME said, just replaced the passenger side line altogether and replaced it with the rubber line. Used the fitting that goes directly to the top of the radiator, the 90 degree fitting, and the GM line adapter. I did have to offset it to the passenger side because of how big it is and because I connected the cooler directly to the OE driver side line, and i don't have the time anymore to do something too fancy. But I am happy with it and it's very secure. I used the stuff that came with the cooler to mount it. Haven't driven it yet so cant comment on the temp difference yet.

Also, my line routing was a tad different than what Randy posted. The top line at the radiator went to the passenger side of the cooler. Diagram shows it going to the driver side.

The cooler is attached (mounted) at 3 points, 2 at the top and 1 on the bottom. It clears the hood latch by a little bit, you have to mount it low to clear it.

Here are some pics. Will hit it with some flat black paint to help it blend.

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Nice looking installation.

:) (y)
 
Nice job... It doesn't matter which side of the cooler the line goes to as long as it is from the top of radiator and not the bottom. I don't know if there's any actual data or reason that either way performs better or it's just that they say the motor will warm up quicker with the trans fluid hitting the radiator first..
 
Randy said:
Nice job... It doesn't matter which side of the cooler the line goes to as long as it is from the top of radiator and not the bottom. I don't know if there's any actual data or reason that either way performs better or it's just that they say the motor will warm up quicker with the trans fluid hitting the radiator first..
Click to expand...

The reason is that you want the already "cooled" by the radiator fluid to then go through the auxiliary cooler to cool it more and then back to tranny. Otherwise, you will be cooling full temp fluid in the auxiliary cooler then back through the radiator cooler which may actually warm it back up!
 
Yeah, I've heard that one as I've also heard to take more load off the radiator plumb it through the aux cooler first. I like to see some actual testing both ways and measure in/out temps on water/oil temps and see what is actually the best..
 
Just a thought, when it's cold outside the radiator helps warm up the tranny fluid also. In winter my trans temp is bottomed out when I put it on my scanner it registered 40 degrees.
 
We need to adapt the Cadillacs shutter assembly to control the temps when it's in the 30's or lower..
 
MS03 2500 said:
Just a thought, when it's cold outside the radiator helps warm up the tranny fluid also. In winter my trans temp is bottomed out when I put it on my scanner it registered 40 degrees.
Click to expand...

Yep, when you're in "that" climate and for snowplow trucks etc, "they" recommend either a thermostat or a thermal by-pass built into the cooler like Hayden and some others now have.
 
Like your new Trans cooler I may try upgrading mine aswell. First I've gotta open transmission pan to replace couple pieces intermittent trouble causing.
I bought B&M deep transmission pan to replace my original pan.
I did like the drain plug option so not making mess every time want to replace fluid or tinker with transmission.
Should fit looks like room with the body lift, curious if anyone here has gone for larger transmission pan more fluid supposed to help temperature from getting higher towing.
 

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Hi Auto Parts Guy, how did the Avalanche do with towing this past summer? I re-read this thread. Were there any issues with your Avalanche running hotter than usual because the transmission cooler cover more of the radiator than the OEM one?

I'm thinking of getting the same cooler but keeping as much of my steel lines as possible and not using a rubber hose.
 
Hi Durwin, sorry for my super late reply. I had several issues with my avalanche, the main one being the transmission just needed to be replaced. But now with a reman transmission, the 40k cooler, and the deep pan, it pulls great!

I will say this, the deep pan may not be totally necessary but the 40k cooler is in my opinion. The stock cooler is tiny as you probably know. This 40k is massive and really makes a difference in keeping the trans temps in range. It's actually quite easy to install as well.

So since I replaced my transmission, I went ahead and also replaced the trans lines. And it was just as easy and functional to use the adapter fittings to go right into the radiator rather than AN fittings. And I kept most of the stock lines.

So that's the route I went, and would do the exact same all over again. There are probably some pics in my transmission thread of the trans line replacement if that helps.
 
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