Transmission temp gauge

I have a 2002 Silverado, 4x4 extended cab, 4800 V-8.
I plan on two trips this spring and summer, 2500 miles both ways, both trips pulling a trailer with a load which will max out the towing capacity. It has been suggested to me to install a transmission temp guage and an additional transmission oil cooler. I havent stuck my head in to see if it is already equipped with one. I assume I am just looking to see if the radiator has transmission lines going into it. If it does have an integral cooler, is it worthwhile adding an additional one, or does the add on unit replace the existing cooler? Lastly, can an aftermarket 2" round gauge be installed in the dash in the spot set aside for the factory gauge? I have heard differing opinions where to connect into the transmission for an aftermarket gauge.
Thanks in advance for any help, Tim

You most likely do not have a external tranny unit. If you do, you could see it through the grill mounted in front of the radiator. I had to install a permacool tranny cooler on my truck with the addition of the stall and shift kit. If you are planning to tow alot, I would suggest getting one. I had someone put mine on, but the instructions will pretty much tell you what to do.
You could get the Denali/Escalade cluster for your tranny temp. gauge. The cluster comes with a tranny temp. gauge where the delete is on our trucks -plus you get a 120mph speedo. The cluster is a direct fit and just plugs in and you have your gauge plus better looking cluster. And you won't have to run wires or lines or tap into any lines. The only drawback to doing this is the odometer; the new one starts back at 0 miles so if you want your odometer to be accurate you will need to get someone qualified to set your mileage back or either put a sticker on the inside of your door telling the mileage before you switched the clusters. I can't wait until I get one of these clusters. I really need to keep an eye on my tranny temp, and I would like to see it everytime I drop the needle past 120. :iceslolan

Hi Slowprocess,
So, if I understand you correctly, the only thing I am missing is the gauge? The harnesses, senders or sensors etc. are already there? If so, whty not a silverado cluster with the gauge? Is the other cluster equipped with the gauge as a standard feature, making it easier to locate? Any idea what they cost?
Thanks for the info, Tim

Ok, I looked on ebay and found the gauge cluster and the seller confirms what you said about the sensors being in place. The local Chevy dealer told me that none of that stuff was there and it would cost a fortune to install it. So much for him.
Next question is a transmision cooler. I have looked around at them, stacked plate seems like the way to go. Is it possible to put too large a cooler on and get the temp below proper operating levels? or do you just put on as big a cooler as you can afford?
Thanks in advance, Tim

I've seen replacement Caddy clusters on gm parts direct for $219. A guy who replaced his on hios sierra also said the trans temp sending units are there, just not connected to anything. I think the dealer can reset the mileage, but they're probably very expensive. I think the HD/Diesel Silverados have a temp gauge factory. Can anyone else back this up or correct me? If anyone has swapped a cluster, post up your experiences/tips.

My friends that install the caddy cluster say they are functional and its a simple plug and play. Just remember to get the entire cluster instead of just the face. As far as the tranny cooler goes, any cooler will work just fine. It wouldn't hurt to go with a huge one, but it's just overkill if you don't have a huge stall or a shift kit. It really doesn't matter what size you get or what brand, I went with the permacool and I haven't been disapppointed yet. B&M also makes a very nice one.

Hi again,
Well, I installed the gauge cluster today. What was GM thinking when they went to all the effort to install the sensors and all of the wiring but stopped short of actually giving us the gauge? That has to be the easiest mod I have ever done. As you said, slowprocess, its plug and play. I had a second Chevy dealed tell me if I installed the new cluster the truck would start, run ten seconds and quit, not to run again until the computer was reprogrammed. He was also wrong. What is with these dealers?
I have a transmission oil cooler coming next week. I will plumb it in series with the radiator cooler. Does it matter which cooler gets the oil first?
Thanks, Tim

Hey Tim,

where did you get the cluster and what did it cost?

I found it on ebay, $185 +15 shipping. It is a Chevy dealer in Chicago named Jennings Chevrolet. Their phone # is 1-800-244-3782. They will probably sell direct instead of through ebay because they had a bunch if clusters listed, so nobody is going to bid it up when there are other ones still on the opening bid. They also had oem fog light kits for about $85. Almost as easy to install as the gauge cluster.
Tim

Tim, I would bypass the radiator altogether, why run the tranny fluid through a hot radiator when you want to keep the temp down. On the Z-71's with the factory cooler there are no ports on the radiator to hook the tranny up to

Has anyone bought a gauge cluster and had the mileage from the old one put into the new one? How did you do it?

I havent done it but was told by the company I bought from that you either mail the new and old clusters to the places who reset odometers, or, have a dealership validate the milage on the old cluster and send the new cluster and the dealers authorisation to the place. Obviously there are a small number of places who can do it to help prevent fraud. My question is, does the trucks computer also record the mileage, and tell if the odometer has been replaced?
Tim

The 98 and newer could definitely record the mileage if its programmed or not I don't know. I know with scan tool on these it will tell you the mileage since the computer was last cleared

Does the gauge come on vehicles equipped with tow package? i have a 2000 2500 with tow package and i have a tran temp gauge. can anybody back this up or discredit my theory?

I am not sure. I have been told that the gauge came with higher trim levels. I have also been told that the tow pkg consists of an external trans. oil cooler, a high performance air cleaner and a tow hitch and trailer plug. I cant vouch for the accuracy of these statements, just passing on what I have been told.
Tim

mine is an LS. i have 2 plugs for trialers, the 8 pole and another round reciever. i also have trailer brakes.

Did the trailer brake controler come from the factory? I am about to add in a 7 pin trailer plug. Is your 8 pin also factory? if it is, I would be interested in seing a picture of how it is done. Any chance of that?
Thanks, Tim

I have the tow package on my 04. I have the tranny cooler, hi cap air cleaner, hitch and plug but no trans temp gauge. Mine is a LS.

i wonder if it is because you have a 5.3.

I have a 02 1500HD with the towing package and it has the gauge

Hi again,
Well, I installed the gauge cluster today. What was GM thinking when they went to all the effort to install the sensors and all of the wiring but stopped short of actually giving us the gauge? That has to be the easiest mod I have ever done. As you said, slowprocess, its plug and play. I had a second Chevy dealed tell me if I installed the new cluster the truck would start, run ten seconds and quit, not to run again until the computer was reprogrammed. He was also wrong. What is with these dealers?
I have a transmission oil cooler coming next week. I will plumb it in series with the radiator cooler. Does it matter which cooler gets the oil first?
Thanks, Tim

Tim I' have put in many tranny cooler on different cars and I have always put the additional cooler after the radiator. The reason I do this is because if you cool the tranny fluid down with the external cooler and then send it into a hot radiator you are cooling the fluid down, and then heating it back up. Also when you mount the external cooler don't zip tie it to the radiator, instead I make brackets from metal and attach it to the upright supports, this way you get more efficient cooling. I also prefer to bend hard lines and only use hose to connect from the cooler to the hard lines. If you need any further info please ask :)

I would like to buy JUST the transmission temp gauge for my 2000 Silverado with 5.3....local dealer says unavabile...ANY IDEAS? thank you, Ralph

The dealer is correct...if you don't replace the gauge cluster you will need to buy an aftermarket gauge from someone like Dakota http://www.dakotadigital.com/products.cfm/-/Category=93/category93.htm
don't forget you will need to get a sensor also.
Sonny

I wonder if there isn't a way to use the factory trans temp sender without affecting the PCM, although the sending unit from dakota might fit in the pressure test port on a 4L60e

Has anyone done the gauge upgrade mod on a 96-99 bodystyle before?
1996 G.M.C 5.7 with a 460E tranny.

MSpring, was just looking at the schematic for the 96 instrument cluster and it appears that there is no wiring for the trans temp guage, although an aftermarket guage and sender will work

can you install a temp gauge on a L460E without dropping the pan and drilling a hole for the sender?

I may be wrong, but I think the guage comes standard on trucks with the 4L80-E tranny. My uncle has an 02 2500 (not HD) and he has the guage.
What doesnt make sense is they put the sensor and wiring on the 4L60-E, but no guage. :banghead: !!!!!

Go figure...
:2cents:

I know a guy in Mexico that resets the odometers by the way...

ive read all this....and well ok.....when you got that new cluster did you install it ur self? did you have any kinda problems?

It is literally a 10 minute job. Pull off the plastic trim, unscrew the old cluster, unplug the wiring harness, plug in the new cluster, screw in new cluster, snap plastic trim back on. Presto, instant transmission temp guage. Getting the plastic trim off requires you lower the tilt steering down as much as possible and moving the gearshift lever around. I didnt get my odometer reset, I wrote down the mileage on my old odometer and when I sell the truck, I will file an odometer statement with DMV. Thats how it works in Vermont anyhow.
Tim