Diesel World

WHEN YOU’RE HOT, YOU’RE HOT

INSTALLING STRICTLY DIESEL’S 6.7L FORD TRANSMISSI­ON COOLER

- STRICTLY DIESEL WWW.STRICTLYDI­ESEL.COM

INSTALLING STRICTLY DIESEL’S 6.7L FORD TRANSMISSI­ON COOLER

In 2011, Ford released their all-new, in-house developed and built 6.7L Power Stroke engine platform paired with the 6R140 transmissi­on. To say it’s been a homerun, when compared the earlier 6.4L and 6.0L Power Strokes would be an understate­ment, but that doesn’t mean that Ford got it completely perfect. While the durability and longevity of the 6.7L and that 6-speed transmissi­on has been much improved over its predecesso­r’s, there are still a few things that the aftermarke­t has developed that can be a worthwhile investment.

Case in point, the cooling systems under the hood of that 2011-2019 Ford truck. Ford got away from running the standard air-to-air intercoole­r for the turbocharg­er system and developed a liquid-to-air cooler as it offered more consistent charge temperatur­es. They also converted their transmissi­on cooler from the usual big liquidto-air mounted behind the bumper, to a much smaller liquid-to-liquid cooler that resembled and engine oil cooler. While we can’t say for sure Ford’s reasoning for this, anyone that owns the 6.7L Power Stroke and uses it for heavy towing, will confirm the staggering transmissi­on temperatur­es they’ll see under load. In the summer months, while towing heavy in a 2011+ Power Stroke, it’s not uncommon to see 240-degree fluid temperatur­es through that transmissi­on. While Ford suggest this is normal, anyone in the industry will attest to fluid breakdown and heat being the #1 killer for transmissi­on longevity.

Looking to overcome issues with hot fluid temperatur­es and extend transmissi­on fluid life and overall durability, Strictly Diesel, a big name in repair and performanc­e work out of Phoenix, AZ, went to the drawing boards to develop something that could easily install and help bring those temperatur­es down. With extensive research

and abusive testing regiments with their F450, they came up with the perfect air-to-liquid cooler kit for the 2011-2016 and 2017-2019 Ford applicatio­ns.

In their initial data collection and testing process, towing an 18,000lb 48’ triple-axle enclosed trailer with living quarters and their 10-second Power Stroke drag truck they recorded average freeway speed temperatur­es of 240-degrees. Average unloaded temperatur­es hovered at 210-degrees, which is still abnormally high compared to other diesel pick-up truck and automatic transmissi­on combinatio­ns out there. After finding the perfect cooler and engineerin­g some simple bracketry, the addition of this transmissi­on cooler kit made immediate and effective changes in overall fluid temperatur­es, netting a maximum of 220-degree temperatur­es towing once installed.

This system retains the factory transmissi­on cooler but adds the large air heat exchanger directly behind the grille where it can get maximum airflow through the core to help reduce fluid temperatur­es over the capacity of the stock unit. Adding this cooler takes only a couple hours and will increase fluid capacity by 1-1.5 quarts. In our test vehicle, a 2018 F250 running a mild lift and larger tires, it was common to see 230-degree temperatur­es towing in the summer and on the morning of our install peaked at 210-degrees with just a 14-foot flatbed trailer and side by side in tow. After installati­on of the Driven Diesel cooler kit, making the same drive back home with the same load, our fluid temperatur­es peaked at just 172-degrees with outdoor ambient temperatur­es at 40-degrees. The addition of the cooler will require some minor cutting to the grille support, but nothing that can’t be tackled by the average mechanic. If your 6.7L Power Stroke is used for heavy towing, this modificati­on is one we’d definitely add to the list of must haves.

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?? ?? The 2011-2019 6.7L Power Stroke uses a liquid to liquid transmissi­on cooler tucked up behind the bumper that can lead to extreme fluid temperatur­es while towing. Strictly Diesel developed their complete liquid to air cooler to aid in temperatur­e control and eliminate those common 220+ degree temps owners see.
The 2011-2019 6.7L Power Stroke uses a liquid to liquid transmissi­on cooler tucked up behind the bumper that can lead to extreme fluid temperatur­es while towing. Strictly Diesel developed their complete liquid to air cooler to aid in temperatur­e control and eliminate those common 220+ degree temps owners see.
?? ?? With the included step-by-step instructio­ns, and some excellent color photos, the new transmissi­on cooler kit can be installed by an average mechanic in about three hours. It’s a simple, straight forward, installati­on but it will require some cutting and modificati­on to the grille shell and grille support.
With the included step-by-step instructio­ns, and some excellent color photos, the new transmissi­on cooler kit can be installed by an average mechanic in about three hours. It’s a simple, straight forward, installati­on but it will require some cutting and modificati­on to the grille shell and grille support.
?? ?? Using an OE style 30”x7” cooler, the supplied pre-bent stainless steel brackets need to be bolted on using the supplied hardware, which include captured thread nuts to make this a super simple install, with an OE finished look.
Using an OE style 30”x7” cooler, the supplied pre-bent stainless steel brackets need to be bolted on using the supplied hardware, which include captured thread nuts to make this a super simple install, with an OE finished look.
?? ?? Using the supplied cable ties, you can loop them around the ends of the trans cooler brackets and the upper condenser line to help with positionin­g of the cooler before drilling the new mounting holes in the out support. The ties can be removed once it’s permanentl­y secured.
Using the supplied cable ties, you can loop them around the ends of the trans cooler brackets and the upper condenser line to help with positionin­g of the cooler before drilling the new mounting holes in the out support. The ties can be removed once it’s permanentl­y secured.
?? ?? With the brackets assembled on the new cooler, it’s time to start the disassembl­y process on the truck. While Strictly Diesel offers a kit for the 2011-2016 Ford trucks, we’ll be installing their 2017-2019 version on this 2018 F250.
With the brackets assembled on the new cooler, it’s time to start the disassembl­y process on the truck. While Strictly Diesel offers a kit for the 2011-2016 Ford trucks, we’ll be installing their 2017-2019 version on this 2018 F250.
?? ?? With the factory grille shell removed, and the horn un-bolted from the center grille support, it’s time to cutaway the center support bar using the supplied cable saw. The reinforced fiberglass plastic support will cut easily if you follow the instructio­ns and make long, slow pulls on the saw.
With the factory grille shell removed, and the horn un-bolted from the center grille support, it’s time to cutaway the center support bar using the supplied cable saw. The reinforced fiberglass plastic support will cut easily if you follow the instructio­ns and make long, slow pulls on the saw.
?? ?? With both the upper and lower cuts completed, the center support can be pulled out and discarded. It’s a good idea to go over your cut lines to make sure everything is smooth and there are no points that will interfere with the soon to be installed transmissi­on cooler.
With both the upper and lower cuts completed, the center support can be pulled out and discarded. It’s a good idea to go over your cut lines to make sure everything is smooth and there are no points that will interfere with the soon to be installed transmissi­on cooler.
?? ?? The barbed fittings will bottom out on the hardline and allow you to tighten the end cap nut until it’s snug allowing for a trouble free seal. Once installed, and the supplied rubber hose is attached and clamped, the lines can be clipped back into their factory location.
The barbed fittings will bottom out on the hardline and allow you to tighten the end cap nut until it’s snug allowing for a trouble free seal. Once installed, and the supplied rubber hose is attached and clamped, the lines can be clipped back into their factory location.
?? ?? Strictly Diesel uses a top quality fitting to attach the new rubber hose to the factory hard line. The ferrule inside the fitting will tightly seal the hardline for a leak free connection when installed per the instructio­ns.
Strictly Diesel uses a top quality fitting to attach the new rubber hose to the factory hard line. The ferrule inside the fitting will tightly seal the hardline for a leak free connection when installed per the instructio­ns.
?? ?? Once positioned and drilled, the supplied screws can be inserted to hold the cooler permanentl­y in place. Use caution here, as the screws are threading into a reinforced plastic, it’s suggested to only use a screwdrive­r here, as a power drill or impact could overtighte­n and strip the material easily.
Once positioned and drilled, the supplied screws can be inserted to hold the cooler permanentl­y in place. Use caution here, as the screws are threading into a reinforced plastic, it’s suggested to only use a screwdrive­r here, as a power drill or impact could overtighte­n and strip the material easily.
?? ?? Using a 7/64 drill bit, the plastic support can be drilled out in the three screw locations on either side of the cooler. Be sure to check the cooler for center and that it’s level on the truck. You’ll also want to make sure it’s positioned where it won’t contact or rub anywhere.
Using a 7/64 drill bit, the plastic support can be drilled out in the three screw locations on either side of the cooler. Be sure to check the cooler for center and that it’s level on the truck. You’ll also want to make sure it’s positioned where it won’t contact or rub anywhere.
?? ?? With the cooler mounted, it’s time to tap into the factory cooler lines located under the truck directly behind the bumper. Using a miniature tube cutter, you can cut the middle section of the driver side cooler line. You’ll be making two cuts to this line to make room for the supplied fittings.
With the cooler mounted, it’s time to tap into the factory cooler lines located under the truck directly behind the bumper. Using a miniature tube cutter, you can cut the middle section of the driver side cooler line. You’ll be making two cuts to this line to make room for the supplied fittings.
?? ?? All back together and looking like a factory equipment, you can see the new Strictly Diesel transmissi­on cooler peaking from behind the grille. This liquid to air cooler will get great airflow across the core here and has been tested to show consistent 30-40 degree temperatur­e drops under load.
All back together and looking like a factory equipment, you can see the new Strictly Diesel transmissi­on cooler peaking from behind the grille. This liquid to air cooler will get great airflow across the core here and has been tested to show consistent 30-40 degree temperatur­e drops under load.
?? ?? The supplied hose has a 400-psi rating and will route easily up past the bumper brackets to the inlet and outlet ports on the new transmissi­on cooler. Supplied hose clamps and brackets will allow you to secure the hoses to the truck, so there will be no concerns of them rubbing or leaking.
The supplied hose has a 400-psi rating and will route easily up past the bumper brackets to the inlet and outlet ports on the new transmissi­on cooler. Supplied hose clamps and brackets will allow you to secure the hoses to the truck, so there will be no concerns of them rubbing or leaking.
?? ?? With our transmissi­on cooler installati­on complete, it’s time to add a little fluid to the transmissi­on and check the system for leaks before making our final modificati­ons to the grille and installing it back on the truck. You can also see the relocation of the factory horn assembly here which was easy using supplied hardware.
With our transmissi­on cooler installati­on complete, it’s time to add a little fluid to the transmissi­on and check the system for leaks before making our final modificati­ons to the grille and installing it back on the truck. You can also see the relocation of the factory horn assembly here which was easy using supplied hardware.
?? ?? They say the proof is in the pudding and it’s hard to deny results like that. While towing through stop and go traffic, we recorded 210-degree fluid temperatur­es the morning of our cooler install. Making the trip back home in the exact same conditions, our transmissi­on fluid ran just 172-degrees. We can’t to test this thing out in the summer heat towing 15,000lbs.
They say the proof is in the pudding and it’s hard to deny results like that. While towing through stop and go traffic, we recorded 210-degree fluid temperatur­es the morning of our cooler install. Making the trip back home in the exact same conditions, our transmissi­on fluid ran just 172-degrees. We can’t to test this thing out in the summer heat towing 15,000lbs.
?? ?? Before finishing up our install, this scoop must be cut off the factory grille valance, which was done easily with a small saw blade. The backside of the grille shell will also need to be trimmed in a few places to allow proper clearance around the newly installed transmissi­on lines.
Before finishing up our install, this scoop must be cut off the factory grille valance, which was done easily with a small saw blade. The backside of the grille shell will also need to be trimmed in a few places to allow proper clearance around the newly installed transmissi­on lines.

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