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V8 Dakotas
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HotTranny
Dodge Dakota
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7/30/2005
16:38:17
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 Subject: Trans Cooler Kit
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Message:
Any one have any recomendations for a trans cooler? Looking for an complete install kit or help on what needs to be done to complete the install.
I see trans coolers on ebay for around $30.
For the install, what lines do i hook the cooler to?
thanks a lot for all your help
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.boB
Dodge Dakota
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7/30/2005
18:12:47
| RE: Trans Cooler Kit
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Most trans coolers are pretty simple. You cut and flare the steel lines, then use rubber hoses and clamps to connect it all together. That works OK, and it's cheap. But they always leak eventually. It cost more, but AN fittings look better, work better, last longer, and won't leak. Of course, they cost more.
The cheap coolers you see are simply round tubes with cooling fins soldered to them. They work, but they're not very efficient. They need to be about twice the size of a more efficient one to work correctly. That's OK too, as long as you're aware of it.
If it were me (and it's not) I would use a Mocal plate style oil cooler and Aeroquip socketless hose.
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HotTranny
Dodge Dakota
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7/31/2005
12:10:37
| RE: Trans Cooler Kit
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Message:
thanks for the advice, i was looking at something like this http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HAYDEN-TRANSMISSION-COOLER-KIT-1401_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33727QQitemZ7990149347QQrdZ1#ebayphotohosting
I would like to find one that would fit in my lower valance. What do you think about that cooler?
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.boB
Dodge Dakota
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7/31/2005
17:28:00
| RE: Trans Cooler Kit
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Message:
Strictly a light duty piece. I'd use that for cooling P/S fluid or fuel. But I think it's much too small for truck use. It would quickly become overwhelmed. However, if you just want to give the stock auxillary cooler (part of the HD tow package) a little extra boost, this would probably work.
If you don't have an auxillary cooler at all, go to the boneyard and pull off a stock part. It fits and it works well for the vast majority of trucks. If you don't want a stock part, you're going to have to pony up for a somewhat expensive but effective aftermarket part.
As for hooking up the lines, it's pretty simple. You cut the stock steel lines in a convenient place, give them a slight flare, and connect it all with rubber hoses and clamps.
Here's where the controversy starts. Should the cooler be upstream of the radiator, or downstream? All depends on where you drive. If the fluid is too cold, your trans won't shift properly. It has to be at least 50* or so to shift in to OD. If it's too hot, it will wear out quickly. If the temp is greater than 260*, the computer will downshift to 3rd. It has to be juuuuuust right.
If you live where the winters can be harsh, run the fluid through the auxillary cooler first, then the radiator. Even when driving in a snowstorm, the fluid will be warm enough to operate correctly.
OTOH, if you live in the Mojave Desert, and only use your truck to tow your race car, place the auxillary cooler after the radiator. Or better still, bypass the radiator altogether. Just depends on what you're doing with your truck.
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DSW
Dodge Dakota
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7/31/2005
19:05:17
| RE: Trans Cooler Kit
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Message:
The cooler link you posted is the inefficient type of cooler, here's what you are looking for, the stacked plate design...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Hayden-Rapid-Cool-Transmission-Oil-Cooler-679-NIB_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ46095QQitemZ7989864199QQrdZ1
and at $25 it isn't too bad, I paid over $60 for the ones I have used.
I installed one of these in my 00 CC and 03 QC, both trucks never had a problem towing a 3500 # boat in 110 degree temps. I mounted the left side of the cooler on the A/C condensor's left side bracket (looking at the front of the truck) and made a custom brakcet for the right side of the cooler. On the 00 CC I spliced into the rubber tranny line below the radiator, on the 03 QC I removed a trans cooler line from the radiator and spliced the rubber lines in there. Both installations worked great and never leaked,,, though I did double clamp all of the rubber lines.
BTW, this one won't fit in your lower valance, but then again you should be mounting the cooler directly in front of the A/C condensor or radiator so air is constantly pulled through the cooler.
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dak4x4ota
Dodge Dakota
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8/01/2005
09:57:08
| RE: Trans Cooler Kit
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Message:
thanks guys, i think i am going to get the one DSW recomended.
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.boB
Dodge Dakota
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8/01/2005
10:34:10
| RE: Trans Cooler Kit
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Message:
I would use something like that. Much better for a truck. Unless you're really beating the crap out of your trans, that will be all you'll ever need.
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DanK
Dodge Dakota
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8/01/2005
14:16:18
| RE: Trans Cooler Kit
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As with any aftermarket cooler that has the inlet and outlet on the same side, make sure it's mounted in a way that won't trap air.
Don't mount it with the inlet and outlet pointed down. Either have them to the side with the inlet on the bottom, or pointed up, in which case inlet and outlet position don't matter.
The trans fluid flow rate through the cooler is normally fast enough to purge any air from the cooler, but after spending all that money and time to install it and run the lines, mount it correctly and have some peace of mind.
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