98 Windstar Transmission cooler
markdude
04-09-2006, 02:27 PM
I have a 98 3.8L Windstar and am looking to get a hitch for it. I was wondering if I would need a transmission cooler before I could tow anything, or if the cooler comes standard? My plan was to get a small tent trailer to tow, probably under 2000 lbs.
Thanks.
Thanks.
wiswind
04-09-2006, 05:25 PM
A auxillary Transmission oil cooler is HIGHLY recommended.
If you do not have the "towing package", you do not have an auxillary cooler.
There is a standard cooler, that is mounted inside the radiator assembly, on the passenger side.
You would install the auxillary cooler such that the fluid flows out of the transmission, through the radiator cooler, then through the auxillary cooler, and back to the transmission.
The fluid flows IN the top connection to the radiator cooler, and OUT the bottom connection.
If you do not have the "towing package", you do not have an auxillary cooler.
There is a standard cooler, that is mounted inside the radiator assembly, on the passenger side.
You would install the auxillary cooler such that the fluid flows out of the transmission, through the radiator cooler, then through the auxillary cooler, and back to the transmission.
The fluid flows IN the top connection to the radiator cooler, and OUT the bottom connection.
phil-l
04-10-2006, 09:51 AM
markdude -
I set my 2000 Windstar LX 3.8 up to tow a popup camper, including a transmission cooler, spring airbags, wiring upgrades and a brake controller. Some pictures of the transmission cooler (and some wiring fun) are here:
http://community.webshots.com/album/549196858rbUAlb
A few thoughts:
- Get a Class III hitch with 2" receiver if at all possible. While technically not required to tow a 2000 pound trailer (if it doesn't require a weight distributing hitch, a Class II hitch is adequate for a 2000 pound trailer), the price difference is minimal, and the extra strength is reassuring.
- Does your popup have brakes? I highly recommend brakes, particularly for minivan towing (check your owner's manual on this point). I added brakes to my popup camper, which didn't come with them. Note that electric brakes also require a brake controller in the tow vehicle. More pics:
http://community.webshots.com/album/548339571fnHjzQ
- Pay attention to wiring upgrades that are needed for towing. I believe your '98 Windstar doesn't require the electronic converter that later Windstars need (because of low-side switching; Google this topic for more info). However, I still recommend isolation relays on the tow vehicle. The relays make sure that a wiring problem in the trailer doesn't also leave the tow vehicle in the dark. Plus the relays keep extra load off of the van's lighting wiring, which wasn't originally designed to also absorb the trailer's load.
- Minivans tend to be softly sprung in the rear, which can cause problems when towing a trailer. I added spring airbags to my Windstar. The airbags do not increase the van's towing capacity, but do help stiffen the rear end. Yet more pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/album/548741257AJALLi
- Typically, "donut" spare tires are not rated to tow a trailer. I upgraded to a full-size spare for my Windstar. Now is also a good time to check the trailer spare tire (make sure you have the right size wrench for the lugs!).
Want to learn more? I highly recommend the "towing" discussion forums found at www.popupexplorer.com and www.rv.net.
I set my 2000 Windstar LX 3.8 up to tow a popup camper, including a transmission cooler, spring airbags, wiring upgrades and a brake controller. Some pictures of the transmission cooler (and some wiring fun) are here:
http://community.webshots.com/album/549196858rbUAlb
A few thoughts:
- Get a Class III hitch with 2" receiver if at all possible. While technically not required to tow a 2000 pound trailer (if it doesn't require a weight distributing hitch, a Class II hitch is adequate for a 2000 pound trailer), the price difference is minimal, and the extra strength is reassuring.
- Does your popup have brakes? I highly recommend brakes, particularly for minivan towing (check your owner's manual on this point). I added brakes to my popup camper, which didn't come with them. Note that electric brakes also require a brake controller in the tow vehicle. More pics:
http://community.webshots.com/album/548339571fnHjzQ
- Pay attention to wiring upgrades that are needed for towing. I believe your '98 Windstar doesn't require the electronic converter that later Windstars need (because of low-side switching; Google this topic for more info). However, I still recommend isolation relays on the tow vehicle. The relays make sure that a wiring problem in the trailer doesn't also leave the tow vehicle in the dark. Plus the relays keep extra load off of the van's lighting wiring, which wasn't originally designed to also absorb the trailer's load.
- Minivans tend to be softly sprung in the rear, which can cause problems when towing a trailer. I added spring airbags to my Windstar. The airbags do not increase the van's towing capacity, but do help stiffen the rear end. Yet more pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/album/548741257AJALLi
- Typically, "donut" spare tires are not rated to tow a trailer. I upgraded to a full-size spare for my Windstar. Now is also a good time to check the trailer spare tire (make sure you have the right size wrench for the lugs!).
Want to learn more? I highly recommend the "towing" discussion forums found at www.popupexplorer.com and www.rv.net.
markdude
04-10-2006, 10:13 AM
markdude -
I set my 2000 Windstar LX 3.8 up to tow a popup camper, including a transmission cooler, spring airbags, wiring upgrades and a brake controller. Some pictures of the transmission cooler (and some wiring fun) are here:
http://community.webshots.com/album/549196858rbUAlb
A few thoughts:
- Get a Class III hitch with 2" receiver if at all possible. While technically not required to tow a 2000 pound trailer (if it doesn't require a weight distributing hitch, a Class II hitch is adequate for a 2000 pound trailer), the price difference is minimal, and the extra strength is reassuring.
- Does your popup have brakes? I highly recommend brakes, particularly for minivan towing (check your owner's manual on this point). I added brakes to my popup camper, which didn't some with them. Note that electric brakes also require a brake controller in the tow vehicle. More pics:
http://community.webshots.com/album/548339571fnHjzQ
- Pay attention to wiring upgrades that are needed for towing. I believe your '98 Windstar doesn't require the electronic converter that later Windstars need (because of low-side switching; Google this topic for more info). However, I still recommend isolation relays on the tow vehicle. The relays make sure that a wiring problem in the trailer doesn't also leave the tow vehicle in the dark. Plus the relays keep extra load off of the van's lighting wiring, which wasn't originally designed to also absorb the trailer's load.
- Minivans tend to be softly sprung in the rear, which can cause problems when towing a trailer. I added spring airbags to my Windstar. The airbags do not increase the van's towing capacity, but do help stiffen the rear end. Yet more pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/album/548741257AJALLi
- Typically, "donut" spare tires are not rated to tow a trailer. I upgraded to a full-size spare for my Windstar. Now is also a good time to check the trailer spare tire (make sure you have the right size wrench for the lugs!).
Want to learn more? I highly recommend the "towing" discussion forums found at www.popupexplorer.com and www.rv.net.
thanks guys. i will check out what all of you mentioned.
I set my 2000 Windstar LX 3.8 up to tow a popup camper, including a transmission cooler, spring airbags, wiring upgrades and a brake controller. Some pictures of the transmission cooler (and some wiring fun) are here:
http://community.webshots.com/album/549196858rbUAlb
A few thoughts:
- Get a Class III hitch with 2" receiver if at all possible. While technically not required to tow a 2000 pound trailer (if it doesn't require a weight distributing hitch, a Class II hitch is adequate for a 2000 pound trailer), the price difference is minimal, and the extra strength is reassuring.
- Does your popup have brakes? I highly recommend brakes, particularly for minivan towing (check your owner's manual on this point). I added brakes to my popup camper, which didn't some with them. Note that electric brakes also require a brake controller in the tow vehicle. More pics:
http://community.webshots.com/album/548339571fnHjzQ
- Pay attention to wiring upgrades that are needed for towing. I believe your '98 Windstar doesn't require the electronic converter that later Windstars need (because of low-side switching; Google this topic for more info). However, I still recommend isolation relays on the tow vehicle. The relays make sure that a wiring problem in the trailer doesn't also leave the tow vehicle in the dark. Plus the relays keep extra load off of the van's lighting wiring, which wasn't originally designed to also absorb the trailer's load.
- Minivans tend to be softly sprung in the rear, which can cause problems when towing a trailer. I added spring airbags to my Windstar. The airbags do not increase the van's towing capacity, but do help stiffen the rear end. Yet more pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/album/548741257AJALLi
- Typically, "donut" spare tires are not rated to tow a trailer. I upgraded to a full-size spare for my Windstar. Now is also a good time to check the trailer spare tire (make sure you have the right size wrench for the lugs!).
Want to learn more? I highly recommend the "towing" discussion forums found at www.popupexplorer.com and www.rv.net.
thanks guys. i will check out what all of you mentioned.
wiswind
04-11-2006, 07:08 PM
Even with a nice cooler, I would still consider the windstar to be a CAR.... NOT a truck. This is very important because that tranny is a car transmission.....and is not up to any heavy duty work.
phil-l
04-11-2006, 08:27 PM
Wiswind -
True... But note that the Windstar is among the most capable minivans out there when it comes to towing. Canadians in particular often set their Windstars up to tow hybrid campers, etc. (though this practice generally exceeds OEM ratings).
A redesigned transaxle appeared in the Windstar/Freestar lineup in 2002; it was noteworthy in being designed for 500 ft/lbs of torque (I wish they had it in time for my 2000 LX).
Minivan towing is a frequent (occasionally controversial) topic on many RV discussion forums - but this thread contains some particularly useful information, specifically in regard to the Windstar/Freestar as a tow vehicle:
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/17159884/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1
The post by "Caddywhompus" near the top of page 9 in this thread is very useful.
True... But note that the Windstar is among the most capable minivans out there when it comes to towing. Canadians in particular often set their Windstars up to tow hybrid campers, etc. (though this practice generally exceeds OEM ratings).
A redesigned transaxle appeared in the Windstar/Freestar lineup in 2002; it was noteworthy in being designed for 500 ft/lbs of torque (I wish they had it in time for my 2000 LX).
Minivan towing is a frequent (occasionally controversial) topic on many RV discussion forums - but this thread contains some particularly useful information, specifically in regard to the Windstar/Freestar as a tow vehicle:
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/17159884/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1
The post by "Caddywhompus" near the top of page 9 in this thread is very useful.
wiswind
04-12-2006, 05:28 PM
I feel like the Windstar is a nice solid vehicle...and don't doubt that it can hold it's own against other minivans....
But, like any vehicle, it can be overloaded.....The cooler will be a BIG help in getting that heat out of the transmission. And when stopped in traffic....on a hot day......my cooler is right in front of the radiator fan (in front of the radiator.....but.....you know what I mean). When the radiator fans come on.....they are pulling a nice draft of air, right through the tranny cooler. And I keep the fins clean of bugs and stuff.
Synthetic ATF is also a good thing.
Of course.....keep up on the fluid changes.
But, like any vehicle, it can be overloaded.....The cooler will be a BIG help in getting that heat out of the transmission. And when stopped in traffic....on a hot day......my cooler is right in front of the radiator fan (in front of the radiator.....but.....you know what I mean). When the radiator fans come on.....they are pulling a nice draft of air, right through the tranny cooler. And I keep the fins clean of bugs and stuff.
Synthetic ATF is also a good thing.
Of course.....keep up on the fluid changes.
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