Transmission fluid cooler needed??

[Trooper13]

Hi there,

My son rear ended someone in my '88 GW and wrecked the grill, A/C condenser, transmission cooler, and radiator.

A/C didn't work anyway, so was not too worried about that. But since I had to get a new radiator anyway, I went with a heavy duty, 3 row. Takes up more room than the stock one, but fits OK.

Since I now have a larger radiator, do I even still need the extra transmission cooler? Or will running it just through the radiator do the job? I don't know if the extra cooler is stock or an add on/upgrade. I won't be towing anything if that matters.

Thanks!!

[440sixpack]

If you're not doing hard towing the add on cooler is a waste of time.

[tgreese]

Yes, factory cooler in the radiator is fine for normal driving.

[letank]

my take on this subject is an external cooler is a must, when you see how high the temp can go with an external cooler, and how slow the transmission oil temp decrease on a 3 mile downhill after a 3 mile uphill, I am seriously thinking of bypassing the built in radiator coolant fof the straight external cooler.

http://fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=7473&start=40

Remember that vehicules are built to sustain their reliability not further than the covered warranty.

[babywag]

An external cooler is cheap insurance to keep an old tranny happier/longer.
Way cheaper than repairing one after overheating fluid.

[ShagWagon]

Aren't they like less than $20 and they even include zip ties to mount in front of your radiator?

[Trooper13]

Aren't they like less than $20 and they even include zip ties to mount in front of your radiator?

Yeah, they are pretty cheap. It's not the money. I figured it would just be one less thing that can leak if I didn't need to use that cooler.

[440sixpack]

Everyone knows more than the manufacturer it's always been that way.


Ditch the cooler if you're not heavy towing it's as necessary as most of the other JC Whitney treasures.

[PlasticBoob]

It depends on where you live. Down here where it regularly gets over 85*F, and pushing around 32" tires, I would definitely recommend it.

I have an 8-pass tranny cooler (with a 14" pusher fan on top of it) and a tranny temp gauge, and the cooler has made all the difference on warm days.

If you don't believe me, hook up a gauge or get an infrared thermometer and check the lines for yourself after a lot of stop-and-go or uphill freeway driving on a warm day: you'll find uncomfortably high temps, like I did.

[Fasts79Chief]

Always. Regardless of if you tow, or heavy loads, or whtever ... a trans cooler is mandatory on older vehicles in my opinion ... if you want your trans to live.

It's not a 'belt and suspenders' approach ... it's your pants.

[Ristow]

i usually bypass the rad cooler and just run an aux. cooler.

[tarriverarms]

I thought the external cooler was stock? Getting ready to replace mine as the fins are loose and flimsy. Well actually going to repair AC and since the radiator has a busted weld on the mounting bracket I am going to replace all three coolers.

Is there one anyone can suggest or recommend over the other?

[Ristow]

stock on the tow package,as i recall. any of the hayden aftermarket are good.

[mattmopar440]

i usually bypass the rad cooler and just run an aux. cooler.

Same that way engine temp doesnt effect the transmission temp and if a external breaks u have a small fluid leak and if an internal breaks your normally looking at a transmission

[rang-a-stang]

If you don't believe me, hook up a gauge or get an infrared thermometer and check the lines for yourself after a lot of stop-and-go or uphill freeway driving on a warm day: you'll find uncomfortably high temps, like I did.

Where did you hook up your gauge sensor? Trans pan? Cooler input? cooler output?