after market trans cooler?

[Bulldog22]

I have an 08 titan and tow approx 9200lbs. I have plenty of power and tires fixed my sway problem. However, after about 70 miles straight towing, my transmission starts down shifting when it shouldnt. I think the transmission cooler is not doing enough. Have any of you got an after market cooler and did it help. I plan to take my toy hauler to the Arkansas Mountains this fall and dont want to destroy my transmission.

[Carbeaux]

Are you on the lower gears? Towing in 4th and downshifting if you're climbing hills and find that the tranny starts "hunting" for gears? 9200 lbs is right up there at the max for this truck, so 4th gear and downshifting when needed would be a must.

Direct answer to your question is that I haven't added an extra cooler, but haven't needed it for the 6500 lbs that I tow.

[titanss]

Here you go: Tranny Cooler Added Long TruCool 4588 - Nissan Titan Forum: Club Titan Forums
Or you can get this: YourCovers.com Nissan RE5-R05A Deep Transmission Pan for Titan Trucks

[Yahooligan]

Originally Posted by Bulldog22

I have an 08 titan and tow approx 9200lbs. I have plenty of power and tires fixed my sway problem. However, after about 70 miles straight towing, my transmission starts down shifting when it shouldnt. I think the transmission cooler is not doing enough. Have any of you got an after market cooler and did it help. I plan to take my toy hauler to the Arkansas Mountains this fall and dont want to destroy my transmission.

What gear are you towing in? At what RPMs and what kind of hill is it downshifting on that you think it shouldn't? What makes you think the trans cooler will help? You have a trans temp gauge right there in your dash (right? I'd hope so if you're towing 9200lb), if it's not getting hot then a cooler won't make any difference. The Titan already has a transmission cooler, btw. Actually, 2 if I remember right.

We need more specifics. Downshifting frequently or hunting is a symptom of towing in the wrong gear, not of a trans running hot.

[Learjet]

your cooler is fine !

Tow in 4th and go 65 mph max. Grab 3rd, or lower, up long grades.

[Bulldog22]

I usually run in tow mode and leave it in 4th the entire trip. When I put it in drive it jumps back and forth too much. It tows great in 4th, it will just start down shifting to 3rd when there is no incline at all after about 60 miles or so. 9500 is my max tow capability. My toy hauler is only 5800 lbs dry, but I carry three atvs, and a MX bike, also gear and 112 gallons of water and 25 gallons gas, all that gets me up to around 9200. I am debating on adding a leaf to the rear. Ive already put 10 ply tires, that got rid of almost all of the sway. I do try to stay at 65. No complaints though. I dont think any other 1/2 ton truck could do what I do.

[mjw357]

Bulldog, looking at the pic of your truck, not sure if you have big tow package or off road? You may not have the lower gears (1:3.36). That is will affect your towing performance quite a bit in the hills.

[Bulldog22]

Correct. I didnt get the "tow package" I wasnt aware that the gearing was different with the tow package. I thought it was just the mirrors and trans gauge. I am going to add a leaf spring next week and get the cold air intake. The trip I am taking this fall is only about 7 hours, so I think it will be alright. I usually stay in Louisiana. The hills here are not very bad.
Thanks

[Learjet]

That is your problem, too much weight for a non-big tow truck

[Bulldog22]

That is why I may get an aftermarket cooler. The truck is an 08, cant get a new one for at least two more years. I think I will suck it up for two more. A friend works at Nissan in Tennessee. He saw the 2011 3/4 ton they are trying to build. I want to wait for that one. I heard they may do a diesel.

[NBhunter80]

You are overloading your truck. I can't see any way you can tow that much without exceeding the weight limitations on the rear axle and rear tires. If I were towing 9200 pounds I would buy this or similar:

Used 2008 Dodge Ram 3500 Lone Star Quad Cab 4x4 Dually for Sale | DealerRevs.com - Dealer Car Ad #10837248

This one is even for sale local!

[loufish]

To the OP:

This is your first truck, right?

You are towing WAY TOO MUCH for those pitiful 2.94 rear end gears! I'm really suprised you aren't in 3rd gear just about all the time on the open road...

Even diesels would dare run that ratio and they've got bu-koo torque....

I would really consider hitting up a wreaking yard and swap in a 08' tow package or off-road package rear end....

[Yahooligan]

Originally Posted by Bulldog22

That is why I may get an aftermarket cooler. The truck is an 08, cant get a new one for at least two more years. I think I will suck it up for two more. A friend works at Nissan in Tennessee. He saw the 2011 3/4 ton they are trying to build. I want to wait for that one. I heard they may do a diesel.

Tow package or not, the Titans have the same cooling setup. An aftermarket cooler won't help, the root of the problem is your axle ratio and this is why it downshifts so much. Tow in 4th and downshift to 3rd if it's hunting too much. Don't tow in D, especially with how far over the tow limit of the truck you are.

The max tow capacity for your truck is 6500-7400 pounds, depending on which trim you have (XE, SE, LE). At best you're 1800lb over the limit, worst case you're 2700lb over the limit. The 9500lb limit is *only* for a short-bed, King cab, 2wd, XE or SE with the tow-package. Anything other than that will have a lower tow limit, that limit depends on a number of variables.

It's time to focus on something other than an aftermarket trans cooler to solve your problems.

[Learjet]

here is a pic of the cooler you have hidden between the Radiator and the AC condenser, once again it is plenty big enough.

[JJenkins]

Originally Posted by Bulldog22

A friend works at Nissan in Tennessee. He saw the 2011 3/4 ton they are trying to build. I want to wait for that one. I heard they may do a diesel.

Lets hear more about this