Zu4two
02/29/2012, 11:19 PM
After having several transmission high heat warnings last summer, I decided to figure out how/where to mount an auxiliary oil cooler for the transmission. I found a nice bar and plate style radiator that measures 11.5"X7.5", by 2" thick. This size is a perfect fit for the area adjacent to the A/C condenser fan in front of the A/C condenser.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/photo51.jpg
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/photo41.jpg
I had to remove the one plastic arm the grille screws into that juts out in that area, but it doesn't seem to affect the grilles integrity. I added about 9' of high pressure transmission fluid hose from the new cooler to where I intercepted the fluid cooling loop coming from the integral cooler in the bottom of the main radiator. The cost of the specialized hose was almost as much as the cooler.
I routed the cooler lines through an existing hole in the front bulkhead to the engine compartment (also referred to as the radiator support).
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/photo31.jpg
Under the truck, I intercepted the left hose as viewed from the front/top. This was randomly picked, but a good guess, because this is the return line after the fluid travels through the radiator's cooler.
I mounted the new cooler approximately 1/8" in front of the A/C condenser using some angle brackets off the shelf at Home Depot. After bending and cutting the brackets to fit, I painted it all flat black. I made sure the cooler was rigidly mounted so that it couldn't rub against the condenser or anything else.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/photo24.jpg
After reassembling everything, the new cooler disappears behind the grille.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/photo14.jpg
Of course, I haven't had the summer temps yet to test it's effectiveness, but I'm hoping it works as intended.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/photo51.jpg
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/photo41.jpg
I had to remove the one plastic arm the grille screws into that juts out in that area, but it doesn't seem to affect the grilles integrity. I added about 9' of high pressure transmission fluid hose from the new cooler to where I intercepted the fluid cooling loop coming from the integral cooler in the bottom of the main radiator. The cost of the specialized hose was almost as much as the cooler.
I routed the cooler lines through an existing hole in the front bulkhead to the engine compartment (also referred to as the radiator support).
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/photo31.jpg
Under the truck, I intercepted the left hose as viewed from the front/top. This was randomly picked, but a good guess, because this is the return line after the fluid travels through the radiator's cooler.
I mounted the new cooler approximately 1/8" in front of the A/C condenser using some angle brackets off the shelf at Home Depot. After bending and cutting the brackets to fit, I painted it all flat black. I made sure the cooler was rigidly mounted so that it couldn't rub against the condenser or anything else.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/photo24.jpg
After reassembling everything, the new cooler disappears behind the grille.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/photo14.jpg
Of course, I haven't had the summer temps yet to test it's effectiveness, but I'm hoping it works as intended.