Trans upgrades, and cooler question

[dan brooks]

The truck will be going in Tuesday to have the transmission checked out. Every time I have dropped the pan (about five times since I bought it) I've found a decent amount of metal - not the "normal" small stuff, but larger (up to 1/8" diameter) flakes of aluminum and brass or copper. Not sure where it's coming from, and we won't know until the trasmission is disassembled - I'm just hoping none of the expensive hard parts are damaged. The first couple times I wasn't too concerned because the previous owner never had the trans serviced, but any leftover crap should have worked it's way out after a couple fluid changes.

While the trans is out, a Hughes converter and TransGo TFOD-Diesel shift kit will be installed, along with a later model flexplate. I had a chance to talk directly with the people from Hughes (they're in Tucson, and are great people) and I'm confident the converter will be a good addition. I'm really anxious to see how much of a difference it makes.

Has anyone been able to fit an additional trans cooler behind the grille? I'd like to add a second cooler, but it looks pretty tight in there. I probably won't have the time or $$$ to do the under bed cooler before vacation - those suckers are expensive.