2001 5.3 Z71 Trans Cooling

I have a 2001 5.3l Z71 Off Road LT Ext Cab & will be doing some towing. Looking into the front I see a small cooler about 8x10 in the center and another smaller 3x10 on the right. What are these or where is the trans cooler? Hopeing the center one is trans & can be replaced with a much larger unit. I also will be doing a trans flush & re-filling with syn...local shop here wants 200.00 to do it with the syn & 140.00 with stock fluid. Any recommends? THANKS in advance

Do the fluid change yourself. The shop will probably do a flush rather than a complete change, so they won't drop the pan to change the filter. You can do it yourself for less than $50 including new filter, pan gasket, and fluid.

I have a 2001 5.3l Z71 Off Road LT Ext Cab & will be doing some towing. Looking into the front I see a small cooler about 8x10 in the center and another smaller 3x10 on the right. What are these or where is the trans cooler? Hopeing the center one is trans & can be replaced with a much larger unit. I also will be doing a trans flush & re-filling with syn...local shop here wants 200.00 to do it with the syn & 140.00 with stock fluid. Any recommends? THANKS in advance

The transmission cooler is the center one, the other is for the steering. I have a Hayden 679 Rapid Cool, but it was added because my truck did not come with one. It is about twice the size of the stock cooler. I would think that your stock cooler should be sufficient for most towing applications.

As for the transmission fluid change, I would call around and see what it would cost to have it flushed/filled and the filter changed. Think, you get it done completely and don't have to deal with the mess!

Sincerely,
Matt

Thanks for the replys....I am considering doing it myself...but for the mess , I did call around...anywhere from Flush(130.00 dino) to 200.00 syn..no filter change or pan drop. Another shop...full flush...drop pan..new filter, new rubber gasket, solvent flush re-fill, band adjustment for 460.00. As for the cooler I want a larger one...will hit the wrecker yards later & look for larger one as I tow a 25' 5th with it live in BClots of mountains). Again thanks for the help.

The pan should have a drain plug on it, although it is a biatch to get off. I stripped the head off mine, so I have to drop the pan anyway. If you get the right tool (some sort of tapered socket I believe) you should be able to get it off. That way you can avoid some of the mess.

Someone posted an article on here not so long ago on how to do this procedure yourself.

Thanks for the replys....I am considering doing it myself...but for the mess , I did call around...anywhere from Flush(130.00 dino) to 200.00 syn..no filter change or pan drop. Another shop...full flush...drop pan..new filter, new rubber gasket, solvent flush re-fill, band adjustment for 460.00. As for the cooler I want a larger one...will hit the wrecker yards later & look for larger one as I tow a 25' 5th with it live in BClots of mountains). Again thanks for the help.

I hope this is not A Silverado 1500 ? I tow 3 tons of rock in a tandem axle trailer which is the MAX for this truck. (2000, 5.3 Z71)

Bert

http://tinypic.com/ei2g51

[QUOTE=ColoradoSilverado]I hope this is not A Silverado 1500 ? I tow 3 tons of rock in a tandem axle trailer which is the MAX for this truck. (2000, 5.3 Z71)

Bert

Hi,
Well 3 tons is 6000lbs, (Maybe plus the trailer weight) So I wonder what a 25 foot fifth wheel weighs?
My 28 foot with no slideouts is about 7000 lbs.
Bob B

The 7,000 lbs that your 28 fter weighs is probably the dry weight. Then you need to calculate how much weight due to fuel, water, gear, ect you are carrying. I think a limiting factor is also the pin weight of the fifth wheel.

Thanks for the replys....I am considering doing it myself...but for the mess , I did call around...anywhere from Flush(130.00 dino) to 200.00 syn..no filter change or pan drop. Another shop...full flush...drop pan..new filter, new rubber gasket, solvent flush re-fill, band adjustment for 460.00. As for the cooler I want a larger one...will hit the wrecker yards later & look for larger one as I tow a 25' 5th with it live in BClots of mountains). Again thanks for the help.

On the cooler go the biggest one you can get.
And when HD towing keep it out of overdrive.

Hold on the flush and additive and syn fluid stuff.
And there is no band adjustments.
Just go a and drop and new filter and the proper fluid the book calls for.

To Flush or not To Flush ?
Just like Kenney Rodgers said you have got to know when to fold and when to hold.
If the fluid has high mileage 100K or over or is real dirty you had better hold.
On a trans that has had good regular service at 50K or sooner a flush is good.
But be ware of jiffie/quick/wallmart /fast lubes that offer power and fast flushes.
They have abused and over rated the trans flush.
They have a habit of using one fit all fluid out of the same barrel that fits all.
They just throw in a bottle of additive to make it fit all. Or worse they pitch in a bottle of cleaner or dope in it that can do more harm than good. And will tell you the filter does not need changing with a flush.
Just remember that all new fluid makes a high detergent cleaner that will break loose all varnish and dirt and grit in the trans and drop it in valve body and solenoids.
Always change the filter and go easy on or use no dope and cleaner.
Adjust/check the bands and linkage on the trans that have bands and adjustments.
Always use the trans fluid the trans/manf calls for. And be aware that some manf have changed the type of fluid specs since the trans was manf.
Some fords have changed the specs and a lot of cry/dodge have gone to the newer type of fluid on their trans service.
Also some fords have tsb’s and require a total complete trans flush to cure trans shifting problems. Some as low as 30K
If a person does not have a flush machine a old 5 gallon bucket and a couple of rubber hoses to connect to the cooler lines and with the other end in the bucket will make a good flush machine. Just put the hoses in the bucket and start the engine and start pouring fluid into the trans until the fluid running into the bucket gets good and clean.
It usually takes 16-20 qts. To get a good flush.
Flush or No flush always service the trans filter and trans on a good regular basic.
People that keep the serviced have a lot less trans problems.

The 7,000 lbs that your 28 fter weighs is probably the dry weight. Then you need to calculate how much weight due to fuel, water, gear, ect you are carrying. I think a limiting factor is also the pin weight of the fifth wheel.
-------------------------------------------
No, Actually I took it to a scale with most of the stuff inside and 1/2 tank fresh water, full propane tanks etc.
Also calculated the pin weight with a scale and lever setup that I found on a RV site.
Bob B

I stand corrected

Ok THANKS to all who replyed....I am going to tackle the flush myself in a couple of weeks, mainly from the help here...especially because 2 of the flush shops said the same, no need to change the filter with a flush and we put in an additive. I do tow a 7000lb 5th about once a month and am concerned about the tranny(cannot afford better truck yet). I do most of my own service & am the second owner, 1st guy used the dealer for service & I have all the records. Dealer has done -
Fuel Filter @106,541
Trans Flush(no filter) @74,815
Anti Freeze(check only) @106,541
Brake Fluid Flush @93,911
Power Steering Flush @85,285
Sep Belt replaced @85,285
I(now have 121,500K on it) do @5000K oil filter(Napa Gold), oil(Royal Purple 5-30) & grease, I will be doing coolant flush, adding trans cooler, fuel filter, rear end oil change & trans flush in the next couple of weeks or so as my time permits(500 mile trip coming up).
Just to clarify...do I drop the pan, change filter, top up & flush... or flush, drop pan change filter & top up? Thanks again for all the help.

Ok THANKS to all who replyed....I am going to tackle the flush myself in a couple of weeks, mainly from the help here...especially because 2 of the flush shops said the same, no need to change the filter with a flush and we put in an additive. I do tow a 7000lb 5th about once a month and am concerned about the tranny(cannot afford better truck yet). I do most of my own service & am the second owner, 1st guy used the dealer for service & I have all the records. Dealer has done -
Fuel Filter @106,541
Trans Flush(no filter) @74,815
Anti Freeze(check only) @106,541
Brake Fluid Flush @93,911
Power Steering Flush @85,285
Sep Belt replaced @85,285
I(now have 121,500K on it) do @5000K oil filter(Napa Gold), oil(Royal Purple 5-30) & grease, I will be doing coolant flush, adding trans cooler, fuel filter, rear end oil change & trans flush in the next couple of weeks or so as my time permits(500 mile trip coming up).
Just to clarify...do I drop the pan, change filter, top up & flush... or flush, drop pan change filter & top up? Thanks again for all the help.



A flush is pump out old fluid and adding all new.
Reread my post on flush or no flush.
With a 121K I would hold on the flush.
A good drop the pan and change the filter is a lot saffer and better aproach.
All new fluid in a high mileage transmission acts just like a cleaner it can break lose dirt and varnish and other stuff and stop up valve body valves and shift solenoids.
Then do it again in 10-20k to get more fresh fluid in it.
Good luck MT

[QUOTE=ColoradoSilverado]I hope this is not A Silverado 1500 ? I tow 3 tons of rock in a tandem axle trailer which is the MAX for this truck. (2000, 5.3 Z71)

Bert

Hi,
Well 3 tons is 6000lbs, (Maybe plus the trailer weight) So I wonder what a 25 foot fifth wheel weighs?
My 28 foot with no slideouts is about 7000 lbs.
Bob B

Well, my trailer empty weighs in at 2000 pounds, the maximum towing capacity for my truck is 7500 pounds. It will pull it pretty easy though.

Bert

http://tinypic.com/ei2g51

Just to hijack a bit, but what do you guys recomend on atf service interval. This is one area where my manual is very weak if you ask me. It lists extreme driving as I think 36k, but if you don't do that it says to never change it. I'm not an extreme conditions driver for the most part and am sitting at about 38k. Been planning on having the flush done anyway. Should I wait until 50k??

I do mine every 50K. Fluid always looks pretty clean when I change it, with a little dirt accumulated on the magnet.

Just to hijack a bit, but what do you guys recomend on atf service interval. This is one area where my manual is very weak if you ask me. It lists extreme driving as I think 36k, but if you don't do that it says to never change it. I'm not an extreme conditions driver for the most part and am sitting at about 38k. Been planning on having the flush done anyway. Should I wait until 50k??

As said 50K is a good time but a litter sooner will not hurt.
What year and transmission and engine and if 4W the transfer case may need serviced to.
Make sure the filter is changed.
And keep a eye on the flush people.
No dope or additives or cleaner and no one fluid fit all .
If you are going to flush start with it at low mileage.
And you can do it yourself easy.
Read my post of flushing.
MT

Just an update..well got the oil changed on Sat...sure was a bit easier when I punched a hole in the bottom of the filter(didn't get any oil up to my elbow). On Sun I tackled the oil cooler & it when well except for some apprehension on cutting the line(used a tube cutter)(only took 4 hrs with many interruptions) but it looks good and seems to get warm so it must be working & no leaks (yet). There wasn't very much oil that came out of the stock cooler(about 1/2 a cup) which was surpriseing. I mounted the cooler with some 1" x 1/8" alum angle off the stock coolers mounting brace & used all stainless bolts, nuts & lock washers. Lucked out on the cooler as the niehbour down the street had one off a Ford(heaven forbid) which is 11"x8" & looks like stacked plates. I choose to mount it on the left looking into the front & was able to keep it about 3" in front of the rad. I will take a couple of pics & post them. Just to say if anyone else is doing any towing or they want some extra trans cooling DO NOT hesitate to tackle this as it wasn't really that hard & gives that bit of extra piece of mind. Now...to drain pan...drop it..change filter & re-fill. Again Thanks to all who replyed. Oh ya...does anyone know the approx how much oil the pan my hold..can't seem to find info in the manual?

Just an update..well got the oil changed on Sat...sure was a bit easier when I punched a hole in the bottom of the filter(didn't get any oil up to my elbow). On Sun I tackled the oil cooler & it when well except for some apprehension on cutting the line(used a tube cutter)(only took 4 hrs with many interruptions) but it looks good and seems to get warm so it must be working & no leaks (yet). There wasn't very much oil that came out of the stock cooler(about 1/2 a cup) which was surpriseing. I mounted the cooler with some 1" x 1/8" alum angle off the stock coolers mounting brace & used all stainless bolts, nuts & lock washers. Lucked out on the cooler as the niehbour down the street had one off a Ford(heaven forbid) which is 11"x8" & looks like stacked plates. I choose to mount it on the left looking into the front & was able to keep it about 3" in front of the rad. I will take a couple of pics & post them. Just to say if anyone else is doing any towing or they want some extra trans cooling DO NOT hesitate to tackle this as it wasn't really that hard & gives that bit of extra piece of mind. Now...to drain pan...drop it..change filter & re-fill. Again Thanks to all who replyed. Oh ya...does anyone know the approx how much oil the pan my hold..can't seem to find info in the manual?

No set amount.
Some also have deeper pans.
Put 4-5 qts in and start checking the dip stick.
Some may take 5-7 or a little more.
Always recheck after 15-20 minute drive.