3+ Transmission oil coolers for BS?

[sajohnson]

I've been watching BS BL reviews on YouTube. It's common to have them mention that the PTU on the Badlands is water cooled. However, several have mentioned that the BL has an oil (ATF) cooler for the transmission -- as if it's model specific.

Every vehicle with an auto trans has a cooler for the ATF -- typically it is built into the radiator. A few may have an aux ATF cooler -- usually as part of a towing package. Most just use the radiator though.

The YouTube reviewers made it sound as if only the BL has a transmission oil cooler (no mention of it being part of a tow package either). It was listed as being one of the differences (like 2.0L engine vs 1.5L). Being naturally curious, I looked online and found three (3) different ATF coolers for the BS:

1) Part Number: KX6Z7A095B
Cooler. Oil. Transmission. Automatic.
2.0 LITER. Automatic Transmission Oil Cooler.
Fits Bronco Sport (2021 - 2021)
2.0 LITER. Bronco Sport; 2.0L; At Radiator.
https://parts.nplincoln.com/p/Ford__Bronco-Sport/Automatic-Transmission-Oil-Cooler/94549022/KX6Z7A095B.html

2) Part Number: JX6Z7869B
Cooler. Oil. Automatic Transmission. Auxiliary.
1.5 LITER. 2.0 LITER. 2.3 LITER. Automatic Transmission Oil Cooler. Towing Package. Water Cooled.
Fits Bronco Sport (2021 - 2021)
1.5 LITER. 2.0 LITER. 2.3 LITER. Bronco Sport; 2.0L; At Transaxle.
https://www.koeppelfordparts.com/p/Ford__Bronco-Sport/Automatic-Transmission-Oil-Cooler-AUXILIARY-cooler-OIL-COOLER-ASSEMBLY/75162524/JX6Z7869B.html

3) Part Number: JX6Z7869C
Cooler. Oil. Transmission. Automatic.
1.5 LITER. Automatic Transmission Oil Cooler.
Fits Bronco Sport (2021 - 2021)
1.5 LITER. Bronco Sport; 1.5L.
https://parts.nplincoln.com/p/Ford__Bronco-Sport/OIL-COOLER-ASSEMBLY-TRANSMISSION-cooler/97217206/JX6Z7869C.html

Anyone know which of those (if any) is used on the BL? It looks like it could be #1 or 2.

Is the same cooler from the BL used on all other BS models, or do they get a different one -- maybe #3 (or maybe the standard radiator ATF cooler)?

Does the tow package make a difference? #2 does mention "towing package".

Just curious.

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[69cuda340s]

I have seen something that looks like #2 under mine. It was mounted toward driver side tire on bottom of car. I also see lines going up toward radiator area

 

[sajohnson]

I have seen something that looks like #2 under mine. It was mounted toward driver side tire on bottom of car. I also see lines going up toward radiator area

Does your BL have the tow package?

 

[69cuda340s]

Does your BL have the tow package?

Yes it does

 

[sajohnson]

Yes it does

OK, thanks. Ours does (or will) too.

We do have a 5x8 utility trailer that we tow with my wife's '97 RAV4. It has literally HALF the hp and torque of the BL, so I know the BL will have no trouble with it at all.

My theory is that even if a person never tows, and/or never does any serious off-road driving, it doesn't hurt to have a vehicle that's set up for it. The water cooled PTU; stronger suspension with hydraulic stops; and the ATF cooler certainly can't hurt.

The only potential downside of some ATF coolers is that if they operate ALL the time, regardless of temp, they can actually cause problems when the ambient temp is low because they keep the trans fluid from getting up to operating temp. I'm sure that's not an issue with these Ford units.

I'm still confused by the YouTube reviewers who indicate that only the BS BL has an ATF cooler. I'd think all models would -- certainly those with the tow package. Maybe they're just mistaken.

 

[Adam06]

I have a big bend, came with the towing package and tow assist. It looks like I have that cooler also. Maybe it’s if you had the towing package included it has the cooler.

 

[sajohnson]

I have a big bend, came with the towing package and tow assist. It looks like I have that cooler also. Maybe it’s if you had the towing package included it has the cooler.

Thanks Adam, that would make sense.

Maybe the particular BL the reviewers had came with the tow package and they mistakenly thought the trans oil cooler was model-specific.

 

[sajohnson]

Update:

It looks like the ATF cooler is specific to the BL:
https://media.ford.com/content/dam/fordmedia/North America/US/product/2022/bronco-sport/2022-Bronco-Sport-Tech-Specs.pdf

See the bottom of page 1 -- "Transmission".

Near as I can tell, the tow package does not add an aux. ATF cooler -- just sway control and the full-size spare tire.

The BL includes the full-size spare either way.

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