Aux ATF cooler install (within TV)

[Spike99]

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Here's how I installed an aux ATF cooler within my wife's mini-van:


1 - Purchased aux ATF cooler (LPD = Low Pressure Drop design) for attached 5,000 lbs trailer. Even though our van is rated to pull a max 3,500 lbs trailer, my local transmission mechanic stated our mini-van runs hot (out of the factory). He suggested I install the next larger size ATF cooler - to help cool it even more. Thus, I purchased http://www.transmissioncoolers.us/Me...ansaver-cooler


2 - Installed 2 x vertical steel rails - from upper rad support to lower rad support. Ensured these rails had 1" gap from its AC rad. re: http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w...rSupport-2.jpg & http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w...rSupport-3.jpg & http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w...rSupport-1.jpg


3 - Connected all piping and where needed, add rub protection outer pipe. re: http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w...rillarea-1.jpg Added more ATF and check for leaks.


Note: Many transmisson specialists state that running an aux ATF cooler when its "too cold" outside is as harmful as "too hot" weather conditions. In other words, too cold is a bad thing as well. Within my north region and its colder winter months, I wrap a thick plastic bag around my van's aux ATF cooler. Vison "wind break" coat on a human body in the winter time. Thus, the reason to have 1" gap behind our van's aux ATF cooler. RE: http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w...interRAD-2.jpg


Hope this helps others...

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[clutch]

That makes sense to me.

[etothepii]

Nice. I put the same cooler on my Trailblazer.



I've read that with this type of cooler, there isn't too much worry about over cooling in the winter. If the fluid is too cold, it is too viscous to flow through the cooling plates, and the transmission heats up to operating temperature accordingly. HAve I misunderstood this? I could do the plastic bag trick easily enough this winter.

[Spike99]

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If I remember correctly, the Hayden aux ATF cooler "LPD design" does not have built-in temperature flow controls. The Tru-Cool brand does. re: "Tru-Cool self-regulating coolers - it is the oil that regulates the cooler. Thicker oil that is below the ideal operating temperature bypasses the cooler through the upper two plates. When the temperature rises, it becomes thin enough to pass through the entire cooler. TRU-COOL's superior heat transfer is efficient and self-regulating." statement within the top of http://www.transmissioncoolers.us/Me...ool-coolers-hd

Within my area, winter temps do get down to -35Fs / -40Fs. And if driving 60 mph, "wind chill" can drive its frontal temps down to -50s as well. For some folks in my area, they do NOT winter wrap their aux coolers. My local transmission specialist tells me that "wrapping" the aux ATF cooler (regardless if Hayden, Tru-Cool or Mr Transmission) during winter months is a great "proactive" protection trick. He recommends winter wrapping for all his aux ATF cooler installs. Thus, why I installed the aux ATF cooler in my current mini-van with space gapping - to allow "winter wrapping" ability.

If temps drop down to -20 F (Plus driving wind chill negative influence), I would also recommend "winter wrapping" your vehicle's aux ATF cooler - regardless of its specific aux ATF cooler brand. Simple thick plastic bag around the aux cooler is like a thick winter coat - on those deep freeze winter days.

Hope this "proactive protection" idea helps.

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[etothepii]

Thanks for the quick response Spike. The installation was easy enough for a layman like me, but that doesn't mean I have all the knowledge I need -- just enough to get into trouble.
It's great to hear (albeit it second hand) from a transmission guy. Ohio doesn't get quite that cold, so I think I'm probably OK. But I'll be prepared if there are problems.

[clutch]

I have a transmission temp gauge on my Dodge and when the weather is cold it dosen't show 100* even while towing.