2001 windstar tranny cooler??

[supergm]

Hey guys/gals

I bought a used 2001 Windstar it has 55,000 miles and no towing package..I do not want to tow anything but thought it would be a good idea to install a tranny cooler to be safe..
Upon inspection of the tranny I noticed a approx. 2 foot long x 3 inch high metal finned coil (looks like this ---IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-----) with a hose going in and comming out of it..It is in front of the radiator, mounted down the bottom of the Rad. right behind the license plate..I can see it thru the bumper in between the fog lights...It is definetly factory by looking at the install
Is this a factory cooler or what??

Thanks for your help

[wiswind]

I am not familiar with the new windstars, but where you are talking about is exactly where the factory auxillary transmission and power steering cooler is installed on the older windstar. I have a non-trailer tow package '96 3.8L and I have a metal pipe with no fins, and it is a power steering cooler.
I am thinking that maybe this is a power steering cooler on yours as well.
You can try to follow the lines and see where they go.

The factory transmission cooler that is installed on all windstars (including trailer tow package) is mounted inside the radiator. Mine is on the passenger side. The fluid goes into the TOP and comes out the bottom.
The connections are both on the passenger side, engine compartment side, of the radiator. My power steering cooler lines pass under the radiator on the passenger side as well.

The Trailer tow package on the '96 3.8L windstar adds a transmission cooler, at the location you describe, in addition to the one that is internal to the radiator. The fluid flows out of the transmission, through the radiator cooler, then through the auxillary cooler, and then back into the transmission.
There is also a different power steering cooler, which is right next to the tranny cooler......so looking at it from the front, one side is power steering cooler, and the other side is tranny cooler.

[supergm]

Due to the fact I have no hitch is it safe to say I don't have the internal cooler?? No hitch probably means no tow package...correct?? Is there any way for me to tell??
Thanks for the help

[wiswind]

I would see what that cooler on the front connects to.
If it is factory, and it connects to the transmission, then you most likely have the towing package.
Again, my point of reference is my '96. The tow package for mine (which I do not have) also included a engine oil cooler. The oil cooler mounted in between the oil filter and the oil pump. So it screwed onto the filter mounting, then the oil filter screwed onto the cooler. There were 2 metal pipes that came out of the oil cooler, and coolant lines connected to them.
It was basically a heat exchanger that used the engine coolant to cool the engine oil. It is pretty small, but you would see it when you look at the base of your oil filter.

I do not know that a hitch was included in the towing package.....it might have been, but there are a number of different hitches that people use....and it is always possible that someone removed one. There would also be a plug back there to plug the trailer lights into, but that could be stuffed up under the carpeting in the cargo area.

[mtmaurer8ooo]

Here's what it looks like to me. Either way you will have an external cooler up front.

IF you DO have Trailer Tow then you're cooler will have two inlets and two outlets...one is for pwr str and one for the trans.

IF you DON'T have Trailer Tow then you will just have one inlet and one outlet...dedicated pwr str cooler.

And that's about it. Oh, the trans lines...if you have TT...should be the lower set on the cooler. Hope this helps. MM.

[lewisnc100]

Its a cooler all right, but it could be power steering cooler only or combo power steering/transmission. If it has one hose connection on each side its a power steering cooler only. If it has two connections on each side its a combo cooler.

[phil-l]

I recently installed a transmission cooler on my 2000 Windstar LX 3.8 (no factory tow package) in preparation for towing a popup camper.

Your idea of extending transmission life by adding a cooler (even without towing) is a good one. Frequent fluid changes are also important.

I installed a quality stacked-plate cooler, purchased through Summit Racing. I installed the cooler in front of the radiator/condenser unit, on the driver's side of the van. I was able to install the cooler *without* removing the van's front fascia. The installation was time-consuming, but not terribly difficult.

My van has a single-tube, finnned tube cooler, similar to what you're seeing: It's for the power steering.

Regarding hitches: All of the research I've done indicates that the factory towing package does *not* include a hitch.

[phil-l]

Removed duplicate post. Stupid browser...

[supergm]

OK Guys,

The cooler only has one connection in/out..So from what I am Seeing I would say it is the power steering cooler only..

So now that that is settled any recommendations on tranny coolers that will fit nice..Any install tricks would be nice also..I have never done this install..I was under the van today and had trouble figuring what hose was what under there..I do have time to research a little before I get the cooler ordered..

Thanks again

[OldFaithful]

I purchased a new 2000 Windstar with a towing package on it. I was surprised that that towing package DID NOT INCLUDE the trailer hitch. I had to purchase that separately and Ford would not install their own hitch but suggested another maintenance facility (privately owned) to install it for me. Something about liability that they would not deal with.

Do not assumn that no hitch means no towing package. There is a long list of features that are included in the towing package. I don't remember most of them but here are the ones that I remember; larger diameter driveshafts, transmission oil cooler, radiator fan control such that if the heat rises too much, they will come on at highway speeds where the regular fan system does not and etc.

Jim

[lewisnc100]

The towing package came with a combo transmission/power steering cooler. Since his cooler only came with one inlet/outlet it is only a power steering cooler meaning his model did not come with the towing package.

[12Ounce]

... another, unrelated to subject, feature of a towing package is an electrical inverter for the trailer lamps (and brakes??).

On many (all?) model years, the Windstar uses switching on the "ground side" for external lighting. Since trailers aren't wired this way, a black box inverter is necessary for compatibility.