2007 Silverado Project Auxiliary Transmission Cooler Install (Ep.14)

In order to continue to improve upon our Silverado 1500, we'lre going to install an aftermarket auxiliary transmission cooler in an attempt to drop the sometimes quite high levels of heat that the poor little 4L60e climbs to. When towing or just idling on a very hot day the transmission climbs toward 230 degrees F and we would like to put a stop to that. So, we have a cheap little Hayden cooler, some trans cooler hose, and no idea what we are doing, let's find a way to bolt it in there!
Date of filming: June 6, 2019
Song List (Order of First Appearance):
0:01 Lazy Afternoon Sun - Dan Lebowitz
5:04 Mysteries - Dan Lebowitz
11:14 Surrender - Dan Lebowitz
(All music provided by KZbin's Audio Library royalty free.)
Thanks for watching, and joining us on this adventure! Please let us know what you think! Consider supporting us via Patreon as well! / fuzzydiceprojects
Follow our Instagram for more pictures and teasers: / fuzzydiceprojects
Check out our second channel for a variety of other content: / @fuzzydicepastimes

[@andljoy]

"Making brackets turns into a bad obsession" , did you just do what i think you did :D.

[@Talsin1989]

i hope so :P i miss Binky

[@HotboiEngineering]

Only missing the Funk...

[@andljoy]

@@HotboiEngineering totally should have got the funk out

[@kysontristan2626]

I know it is pretty off topic but does anybody know of a good site to stream new movies online ?

[@Chuthulhu123]

"Making brackets turns into a bad obsession" BOOOO, HISSSSS. That got a chuckle (and a facepalm) out of me.

[@franciscovillagrana3103]

😂😂😂 that guy got carried away

[@TheBrokenLife]

It's about time you started making cooler videos... _I'll see myself out._

[@fila1445]

Just ... get out

[@tylerkimdura6690]

Hahaha 😝 👍

[@AlejandroGarcia-tk7hv]

"Making brackets sure turns into bad obsession" if you said that on purpose it's a fricking cool touch, I'm rewatching old series of this channel and I'm really enjoying every moment

[@nigel-Rollercam-channel]

Love your work, Thank you for helping keep me entertained while the world falls apart!

[@randomchie4933]

10:42 is that a shout out to Project Binky? that whole car is basicaly all brackets lol

[@v0idlike]

It sure is lmao

[@andljoy]

We are going to fit this oversized running gear into this mini turned into. Lets attach all this running gear to a pile of brackets that looks like a mini.

[@jeremys.4423]

Loved it when the cooler magically appeared in the box

[@DaveVespa]

We all love a bit of Binky.

[@ncc74656m]

I understood that bracketry reference.

[@sebastiencharette6637]

This is my next modification for my truck. I'm about to put a 1800 lbs slide in camper and I want to have more cooling power for this trip. Thanks for the information and the how to and also the trick with the brass piece.

[@dcallan812]

They do like a good bracket, while getting the funk on. 👌👍👍

[@trefod]

You can always make a little cosy for it in the winter. You often see something like that in very cold climates.

[@robertstewart1254]

I got the parts you suggested, but opted for the cooler that had the bypass function since I live in upstate NY. I cut two longer 3/4" flat aluminum pieces to span the opening made by the structural members I mentioned in my previous comments. All went well--until I realized that the included hose was not long enough. No one in this area had hoses the correct size and I did not want to try a 3/8" hose, so I then opted for a steam punk look as I then mounted the cooler at an angle to the passenger-side structural member. This location allowed for the hoses to reach. Since I am on vacation, and my tools were in NY, I opted for this simple install until I get back home and can mount it properly. So far, it's reduced temps by about 50 degrees. The only thing that did not go as you described is I could not get the slip ring off the existed tube so I could put it on the new connection. There are no leaks. I wonder what could be placed on the retainer clip to get it from coming off. Is that even an issue? Do they routinely pop off? It seems pretty secure as it is... I hope.

[@stevedeleo7718]

The best and most straight forward videos on how to do this. Thank you and great job.

[@kennyman338]

We put an aux cooler on our 07 tahoe over the weekend too. Running a tru cool 40k and living in AZ on 113° temps outside the transmission temperature is around 190-203 on some days then when driving itll cool back down to about 194. Hopefully this tru cool will bring these temperatures down and keep this 4l60e happy. Also a 2007 4.8 nnbs Tahoe

[@jhuntosgarage]

I need this for my truck. This video was right on time. Thanks for sharing.

[@zackstephenson1428]

Rocking the iPod shuffle! My man!

[@neonaffliction]

Thank you fuzzy dice projects very cool

[@michaelhernandez1398]

230!!! I can’t believe. I start stressing out when i see mine in the high 190s 😂

[@jaybirdmotorsports3248]

I just wanna say a massive thank you, it 2 years late for me but this video helped me install mine on my 99 Silverado. I love your videos!!

[@caseygunn9627]

D*mn good job man. You are on your way to being an expert fabricator on the side! You have the touch, the sky's the limit. Thanks for the videos and the efforts.

[@YaksAttack]

Great, cheap, relatively easy to do upgrade that has very real positive effects.

[@diegoloera435]

Need more Silverado updates! This video was so awesome. You are very clean and organized 👌

[@kingsleywray6632]

Loved the bad obsession reference. Love what you do - reality instead of fantasy. Btw I love both. Thanks for sharing

[@robertbailey4454]

I used to make custom cold air intakes for a car nobody cared about. I used to make brackets the same way you did here. Instead of the bed-liner, I used heat shrink tubing in colors to match the intakes. Worked great and looked better. You can use the ones with the glue inside or the non glue type.

[@SquareLyfe]

awesome video, this is going to help me tremendously. I especially liked the temp comparison you did 👍👍👍

[@edwardmyers1746]

That worked really well

[@giovanni233]

Hell yeah! This came at the perfect time when I was trying to figure out how to plumb up an external cooler on my Infiniti i30

[@doddgarger6806]

Oh yeah exactly the same vehicle 😂

[@JohnDoe-yq6le]

Love your vids, Inspired me to do a frame swap on my ranger, keep up the good work!!

[@lsu614]

Great video

[@scotquest12]

Well spoken as usuall

[@jeffreylowe4788]

Damn good craft work

[@mehagel65]

Well played !!!

[@SantiagoScolari]

Nice video. I like this video length.

[@TheKhwailed]

I wish I saw this video 7 yrs ago!!

[@pettergardo3874]

It one this being Obsessed with making brackets. I find it a bit strange that so many of us are so obsessed with watching brackets being made that we obsessively watch it for years on end.

[@BADD400]

Very good video

[@otsenres1636]

Cool video! 😁

[@af5579]

10:40 nice reference there

[@tcar]

Today is my birthday. I'll take your video as a present. Thank you, Mr. Fuzzy Dice Projects. I hope one day to be close to what your channel is!

[@desertrider7295]

Helpful, straightforward video that really helped with installing a cooler on my 2013 Traverse. IMHO most applications will be fine using the included plastic connectors in many kits and tying directly into the A/C condenser coil. Cars roll out of the factory with dozens of plastic clips, harnesses, ties, etc. Why the connector for a cooler would be different than all of the other plastic on an typical engine setup is beyond me.

[@user-sb5gw9zo1b]

Same truck, but a 2008 and 2wd, with exactly the same issues. I live in New Mexico, about 1200 ft above the nearest grocery store, maybe 1500 ft total elevation from Home Depot. In the worst driving conditions, especially while towing, I could easily get trans temps over 230 degrees. Took my truck to a reputable trans shop and they said it "wasn't really worth" putting on a cooler. I was disheartened, found this video, saw that it described my exact problem, and ordered the parts. I'm not a skilled mechanic. I can do the basics, have done things as intensive as a timing belt with a friend, but generally there's nothing except my water well that makes me more anxious than working on cars. I usually get in a big fight with my wife before I attempt any car repair. I've never made brackets, never messed with transmission lines...last night was not a huge one, but we were a little miffed at each other before bed. This video was spot on. From pulling the truck in to the garage to pulling it back out again was about about 3 hours, total. The pick tool is really quite necessary--not sure how you'd get that little ring out without it. I bought an aluminum bar at Tractor Supply. I managed with two brackets, one mounted higher up near the hood latch, using an existing bolt hole there. I didn't paint the brackets. I used my bench grinder to round them off. The two things that hung me up most were the clips for the grill (annoying) and getting the return hose to slip far enough onto the old hard line that used to go into the radiator so that a hose clamp could get purchase. All said, I got it on, after a few hours of talking to myself and dropping things. I took it on a test drive down to town. About 98 degrees down there, 93 at my house. Truck made the climb and topped out at about 180 degrees trans temp, which is 25 degrees lower than it normally is when I pull into my driveway. I have no clue if this will extend the life of my transmission, but this is "worth it" for me, simply because the parts are so cheap and the relief it provides is significant. Thank you for making this video.

[@IuriSantos]

TY For the Imperial x Metric conversions. Also, one of the good things about how long you filmed to releasing the video is that you can show what happened to that part. If it worked or not in the end.

[@HawkfootInc.7]

Thank you so very much for this video! I have an 07 4x4 4.8 liter as well. Hottest i have seen mine was 208 trail riding in the snow(was slinging it everywhere🤣) definitely an upgrade i will be doing soon! Not many videos on the 07 4.8s always the 5.3s lol

[@Mikeongaia]

You know. For those cold days you could also install 2 "t" style diverters and connect them together to bypass the aux cooler when you need the warmth. In addition it would also allow you to remove the cooler with minimal atf spillage if you ever need to do maintenance to say the ac system.

[@4cnkh4]

Bro you deserve more subs !! Roll on 1 million fuzzy dice is awesome

[@gameeverydaygamer3527]

The tow package on gm some of them had a filter going back from the coler and make sure you check your transmission fluid because that cooler holds some atf

[@squirrelkilla7371]

They make an install kit just for these aux coolers. They are like zip ties and you attach it directly to the condensor/radiator. No need for brackets

[@bbishop7791]

did this to my truck as the radiator cooler isnt enough to save these transmissions, used the tube and fin style cooler and a mounting kit from hayden, used the fuel injection style clamps and liked them way more than the worm gear clamps, overall its an upgrade whether you're towing or not because the main killer of transmissions is heat

[@punishernation436]

4:25 Nice Ipod Shuffle 👍🏽

[@ProjectFairmont]

Nice!

[@falseprophet4223]

Great work! On an unrelated topic they have a bad problem with battery cables. Particularly the ground will corrode inside the cable and you’ll notice when you shut it off you’ll see the truck has no electrical power. And when your driving you might notice the gauge cluster and interior power all goes haywire. Had this happen on my 09 Tahoe and the battery cable was 50 bucks on amazon for a genuine acdelco.

[@caseygunn9627]

Great temps! It'll save it. Plus, put it in neutral at long red lights, it'll help bigtime.

[@wilkesjournal]

@@wadewilson6628 That's actually not correct. The pump in the transmission is moving fluid if the engine is running, no matter what gear it's in. We know this because when the pump begins to fail, it makes noise in park, neutral and all other gears (but obviously louder in a drive gear). Or better yet, put the transmission in neutral, remove a transmission cooler line, start the engine and observe what happens. (It will squirt all the fluid out in about one minute). The two large slots or splines on the back of the torque converter directly engage the pump. If the engine is running, the pump is pumping. (The concentric input shafts in the center are splined into the center of the converter and that is the part that engages or disengages depending on gear selected and RPM). At any rate, shifting out of a drive gear unnecessarily while towing a trailer doesn't seem like a good idea either!

[@frankcioffi5122]

Why do people try telling others wat to do when they have no fucking clue..... Im talkin bout u wade

[@frankcioffi5122]

Wade wilson Listening to you they wouldnt have a transmission at all...lol

[@jeffreysheldrake7943]

If you ask a good trans builder the oil is already way hot enough with just normal driving. This is a must for my peace of mind

[@KingGreenscreenKid420]

i came from the 2012 8000 rpm airsoft gun video... but this is cool too.

[@russellschroeder990]

I put 2 of these on my 2011 Sierra 1500 with the 6L80. Never goes above 170 in 90 degree heat pulling my boat in traffic. After my transmission failed the fist time. I’ve been told you can’t freeze out a transmission 😂

[@macxgeek]

Nice BOM reference

[@jacksonstephens9772]

We have this 2006 chevy duramax for farm use, we were hauling hay out of a field with sugar sand roads at 7 mph that trans got up to 270 DEGREES!!! The red temprature starts at 280 up to 300 is where the guage stops going up.

[@TheAirSofterblaster200]

These newer automatic transmissions are intended to run warmer, my 2008 Sierra with a tow package 4l70? ( receiver, cooler, wiring but no trailer break controller) runs on 100 degrees of ambient temperature +\- 20 degrees Example, 80 degree temp runs between 160-200 but normally 190* with no load Now I’ve never had it over 200* towing, I also don’t know ie accurate the temp gauge is because if you plug a ob2 scanner into it the coolant temp will read 185* where the thermostat opens and not 190* like the gauge reads, On my truck the DIC vs real life TPMS is +\- 5psi , fuel gauge used is about 4 gallons fast

[@RamenPoweredShitFactory]

You could probably slip a piece of cardboard in front of the transmission cooler to help with the winter temps, it's a common trick where I live on some cars to put a piece of cardboard in front of the entire radiator when the temperatures get to around the -30°C range.

[@daviddavis3619]

Freakin Awesome.. we salute you #chevynation

[@brandon2076]

idea for a bit: "Next let's take off the brackets to clean them up and paint them. We'll round off all the unfriendly edges with our knuckles and forearms (cut to excessive spray of fake blood/ATF) before giving them a coat of some nice red organic paint"

[@craigquann]

I just picked up the Hayden 679 for my 17 sierra wt. So far towing my travel trailer with the family for a camping trip. I average 210-230. The highest I've seen was 240. Winter would never exceed 195 due to the transmission thermostat. (yea gm has that now since 2014.) It would open above 194 before it flows to the rad/cooler. I've since replaced my transmission thermostat. The new updated one opens at 158. So it will be interesting to see my Temps this trip with just the new thermostat and the next trip in a month will hopefully be with the additional cooler. I'm not too concerned with winter even though I'm in Canada, because of the mentioned thermostat, Hayden's supposed built in cold weather bypass AND active grill shutters. Supposed to help aerodynamics as well according to gm. But man is it great for winter.

[@craigquann]

Update: 83° day. Got up to 230° thermostat didn't really keep the Temps down much. But did cool down quicker and took longer to get up there.

[@craigquann]

So final update. Unloaded driving it hovers around 165 once it stabilizes. Towing it hovers around 185 and I haven't seen it over 195 since. DEFINITELY WORTH DOING!

[@91fisher]

10:41 i see what you did there! :P binky

[@jeffmayo6002]

During the winter you can stick a piece of cardboard in front of the cooler to prevent it from cooling too much

[@DarkAuthor]

Make the noise!

[@kruleworld]

I put a transmission cooler not because i tow or get high temps, but because Ford decided putting the cooler as a part of the radiator was a good idea. of course in the real world, if the radiator rusted through to the trans cooler, it would put water/coolant into your transmission. obviously a separate cooler is cheaper than a new transmission.

[@blautens]

That sort of breech happened to me twice. Not fun. Super cheap insurance to do the separate cooler - never inline - and in south Florida I could care less about "warming up" the trans fluid.

[@CanadianParamedic]

Bad Obsession... I see what you did there.

[@mitchellcrowe8545]

Question: where can I get one of these magical empty boxes that makes auto trans coolers appear? Lol great video fuzzy dice. Love your work. Keep it up buddy!!

[@energyboy5696]

You should put a manual diverter in it just for the winter lmao

[@DavisKrauklis]

Hey, last video you said something about the tires. Where did that info go?

[@nukedathlonman]

Developing a Bad Obsession for brackets are we? (Chuckles) More seriously, nice solution to that (esp with the idea of keeping them inline). If worse ever came to worse during winter use, you could in a pinch use a piece of CAD material to block the air from entering the new aux cooler (I'm sure you thought of that, but it doesn't really appear you need to do that).

[@ryan1johnson610]

Lol when he opened up the box it popped in

[@1979Malibuick]

They take hitches off at dealerships to make people think the vehicle has not been used hard to tow. Because it's not exactly easy on the trans/drive line, or cooling system.

[@chrisringgenberg9465]

Ha ha, Bad Obsession. Bracket reference.

[@valerioalfalfa3868]

It’s better if you install one fan together to the cooler

[@randygarza186]

Any way you can mass produce those brackets for Same year make and model... that would make my life so much easier. Great video, I am looking at the same set up and you made the bracket set up make a lot of sense.

[@racingfreak1337]

My 08 gets hot too I feel like. Bot 230 hot, but 190s sometimes. If I sit in traffic and dont move it will get in the 200s. Scares me sometimes

[@robsycko]

If you had hooked that up to the lower radiator line you would still get your winter transmission Heating

[@matthewcooney7713]

How much extra fluid did you end up putting into the transmission?

[@illililililillli]

Probably about 2 quarts. Most coolers say it on the box

[@SKANK_HUNT49]

The best mounting brackets are zip ties

[@Juan-js7ot]

Need more details on where to connect the hose from the in and out line

[@abraxsmith01]

Why not use one of those straight through plastic zip "tie" kits if you're going to mount it to the rad? Easy peezy lemon squeezy and she's done. Personally I would mount it "off rad" which would avoid heat transfer and prevent airflow blockage. Those coolers get pretty hot just on their own. Just my "two cents" , love what you do enjoy the video's. Thanks.

[@FuzzyDiceProjects]

I didn't choose to use those through-the-fin mounts in this case because the A/C condenser was sandwiched in the middle and wouldn't want to pull those real tight and possible cause issues. Have used those on the 1988 S10 Blazer and the 1978 Firebird without problem though. Mounting the cooler up against the rad/condenser is beneficial because air doesn't have an alternate route around the cooler when the cooling fan is running, so it would theoretically be of benefit when sitting in traffic. Similar to the principle of using a radiator fan shroud

[@FUZYsquatch]

Noice

[@le5848]

Cool bracket designs. How much ATF did you have use to top off?

[@1986Honda4trax]

Hey, how did you get all the information, and pictures of the truck before you got it?

[@dieselgartland4876]

Will you ever do a video on best way to flush your transmission fluid? I have a 4l80 and I have changed the filter and did a normal service, and I also changed the lines, but the factory cooler broke and I have a part store cooler, it looks kind of sketchy so I would like to get something much bigger and hardlined.

[@jamessmith8480]

My bracket game looks a lot more like yours and not like those insane Englishman from across the pond.

[@SKANK_HUNT49]

I made some out of aluminum for my radiator once and it broke. Put a heavy-duty zip tie there instead and it's been holding for years

[@tabajaralabs]

shouldnt you add more transmission fluid to compensate the volume spent on the aux radiator?

[@FuzzyDiceProjects]

Yep! Good point. Should have noted that checking the transmission fluid level after installing a cooler is, of course, important.

[@TTKOFFICIALCHANNEL]

Great video, BTW do you need to add any more Fluid the compensate for the extened volume of the auxiliary cooler?

[@11roj11]

@Fuzzy Dice Projects I CAN see which way you have the cooler facing, does it matter which way it is facing or not? Because i don't know if the cooler fittings say which they are inlet/ outlet...

[@robertstewart1254]

Quick Question: I took the air dam from off the top of the radiator area and looked in to see for myself what you did. I noticed the front bracing (like an inverted "V"). With the horizontal nature of the mounting brackets built onto the cooler, could you have made some simple straight aluminum pieces to span that opening? You didn't, so I'm wondering if there was a reason why. (not being picky here, it just seemed your method may have been harder than it needed to be with all the bending.) Could it be that the bracing may need to come off for other reasons not related to the transmission cooler and the cooler would then have to be removed as well? Also, this cooler comes with zip-tie type mounting rods and spacers. Are these not as good? I have a 2008 V6 and my transmission runs at above 200 deg normally, and pulling my camper it reached into the near 240 deg area. This concerned me so much that I stopped a GM dealership to ask if this was high and if not, at what temp to be concerned. I could get no straight answer. One dealership stated "Your idiot light will come on if there is a problem." But I'm thinking it'll too late if it does. There is nothing in the manual about this. You were concerned at lower temps than mine. There is nothing in the manual about this. Thanks for your video.

[@davidarreola5353]

How’s the transmission rebuild holding up and do you have a part number list of what you use to install in it . Nice truck though

[@ashtondavis7139]

What kind of lights did you have on the roll bar?

[@alexbekjr]

Question. Do most radiators run fluid from bottom out to top? Isnt it easier in the pump to go opposite with gravity?

[@randysshop9683]

Its run the way it is in the video so the whole cooler gets filled with fluid then exits the cooler. If you do it the other way it just drains out and never fills up and therefore the cooler isnt really doing anything

[@ranch3727]

your video content can rival chrisfix

[@ddarrell_5]

Hey, great video! I just want to confirm that you installed a cooler without the thermal bypass, correct? I have an aftermarket 3 row radiator that eliminates the trans cooler function, so I opted to add a hayden trans cooler, but since it does get fairly cold here (teens and occasionally single digits in Jan) I opted for the model that includes a thermal bypass. If you installed one without, temps of 150 makes sense, but if you installed one with a thermal bypass, I may need to rethink my design. Thanks in advance!

[@jasonrobbins4664]

Nice install. I've put many of these in vehicles I've owned over the years. Didn't see them in the images but the trans coolers usually come with nylon mounting rods. I've always used those and never had any concerns. Also, I'm curious if you would be willing to bypass the radiator all together? I did this on my current daily driver and never had any issues. Its a Sierra but a few years older than yours and I'm not able to monitor trans temps. I've never heard of a trans failing because it didn't get warm enough. Your thoughts? Also, I know cross contamination of trans fluid and radiator fluid can be a concern as the vehicle ages.

[@FuzzyDiceProjects]

I've read from several trans cooler/transmission fluid manufacturers that cold temperatures are not good for clutch life and I know that the 4L60e/700R4/TH350 transmissions I have driven do shift noticeably different below 30 degrees F or so. Realistically? It's probably not an issue. Shifting seems to normalize within a few minutes of driving even in 0 degree weather. There are probably some long-term clutch life/bushing wear benefits to a warmed up transmission, somewhat similar to how running around town with no thermostat installed is probably not the best idea in most cases but those engines don't fall apart because of it.

[@jasonrobbins4664]

@@FuzzyDiceProjects Thanks for the reply. Interesting enough, some shops in my area that rebuild these eliminate the stock radiator cooler for added reliability. Guess it helps that I'm in a part of the US that might see a 20 degree temp one winters morning out of the year.

[@PanchoPistolas45]

Do you have long tubes on the truck?

[@ryancornelius1007]

I dont get it my silverado hovers around 120 130 with no cooler, but we are gonna be pulling our camper with it so i got one. When i pulled the camper without the cooler i did see it hit 195.