auto trans cooler lines

[padre ron]

I need to change the cooler lines on my 95 to replace the old fittings with new ones. They are starting to show moisture and I am planning a trip. I had one replaced by the dealer but thought I would like to try the others myself. Is this a straight forward job or are there hidden problems? Would love to hear your suggestions. Thanks, Ron

 

[Timinator]

I did this on my '95. It was easy to do. Just be sure you have all the parts you need before you start. It took about 2-3 hours (after I drained as much fluid as I could) for me without a lift. I have a 2wd and just slid under the truck. Be ready for a lot more fluid to escape from the lines after you disconnect them.

 

[Joe G.]

Ron,

There are FOUR connectors to change. Two are in the side of the transmission and two are in the bottom of the round cooler under the exhaust manifold. The pipe thread is different on the cooler too so make sure you get the right fittings.

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Joe George
Eureka, CA

'95 2500 CC auto 4X4,3. 54,Combo EGT/boost guage,custom switch panel,PacBrake,TST #5,DTT TC/VB,Automatic motorhome steps on both sides,Foldacover hard bed cover,Cummins chrome kit,Black steel grill guard,Front hitch receiver

 

[Cooker]

It's not too bad of a job other than getting at the connection to the cooler.

Call Blair at Parker Motors for the part, he will take care of you, new line, fittings, ect. He has helped many members with this same situation.

I don't have the number off hand, but if you do a search you'll find it. Otherwise email me and I'll dig it up.

Ryan

 

[Kunze]

The job is more akward than it is a true pain. My truck is 4x4 and I was putting in a trans temp sender with a "T" fitting so my line wasn't just a direct replacement. Those 2 things along with the temp being around 15 degrees were what made my replacement the toughest but it doesn't take a rocket scientist by any means. It always feels better knowing that you did it yourself instead of paying someone else to do it. Good luck with the replacement.

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'94, 2500, 4X4, SLT, 3. 54 gears, Prime Loc, Silencer ring in the tool box, DeeZee bright tread running boards, side box boards and mud flaps. Alpine CD player. I cleared 100K mi while the board was down. Jardine Performance 4" exhaust (sounds just like a Pete, it's great) Schied Diesel put timing to *15 (by timing light), put gauges in on the A pillar (trans temp, boost, and egt) They also set my stock plate up (40 hp 150 ft/lb gain) OH, what a difference a day makes :-D

 

[illflem]

I've looked very hard on my '95 for the infamous plastic fittings, but see no sign of them, I know the lines have never been replaced. Did some rigs come without them?

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95' 25004X4,AT,Driftwood,Banks Stinger,Warn fender flairs and running boards(work truck)
95 3500,5 speed 3:54,BD E-brake,Driftwood,Banks&Psycotty,34,000 GCVW apple and tractor hauler(works harder truck)

 

[46mech]

padre ron,
By now you should know that you'll be spending approximately $350. 00 to finish changing out all the lines and fittings (depending on what line the dealer has already changed for you). The two fittings off the transmission alone are about $30. 00 each; the two off the cooler below the exhaust are only about $4. 00 each. The lines range from $36. 00 to $95. 00 (these are rough figures), and don't forget you'll have to change the two rubber hoses that come off the trans cooler near the radiator.
If your dealer is like the one around here, you should search this site for the post that has all the part numbers. If it wasn't for the fact that I got the part numbers from TDR, the dealer wouldn't have had a clue. If you haven't already had the pressure line replaced, you will want to make sure they don't try to give you the pressure line that doesn't have the fitting for your trans temp sender; that one is for the 47RE trans, not the 47RH. I say this, because that's what the parts guy here tried to do.

illflem,
If you have the '95 and you are the original owner, you have the plastic clips. From my recent experience, when the 47RE came out the trans lines were changed. If you look at the two lines coming off your trans and they have been "plugged" into large steel fittings (approx. 1") that screw into the trans, then you have the old lines. The "new" lines have a threaded fitting on the line that screws into a "new" smaller fitting that screws into the transmission; this new fitting is only about 7/8" if I'm not mistaken.
As you probably have already read, these plastic clips were a recall item for Dakota and RAM p/u's with gas engines - only! BUT, as I found out with my truck, the plastic wears away and the line can come "unplugged. " Luckily this happened to me the day after I made a 250 mile round trip to NC, and I only was only about 150 yards from my drive way when the pressure line clip broke loose.

 

[Cooker]

46mech,
FYI I have a '96 with a 47RE and the crappy lines with the plastic fittings.

 

[Joe G.]

Bill,

The original plastic fittings are fastened with little wire clips. These were replaced with a different kind of plastic fitting that is quite a bit larger. The early ones don't look like they are plastic at first.

 

[Boldt's Wagon]

I have a 97 and the only plastic clip fittings are at the union between the rubber hose to and from the auxillary air cooled heat exchanger. It looks like these could be replaced by cutting the hose and using a hose clamp. Anybody replaced these plastic clips?

 

[Big John]

I do not wish to reinvent the wheel, but I replaced my lines with all Swagelock fittings and stainless tubing for less money than Dodge wanted for their parts. You will need 1/2" tubing and benders plus the fittings. Took about 3 hours from start to finish and I have had no problems yet!?!?

I also added an extra Tee for trans temp.

Big John

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'94 2500 Diesel Reg. Cab
Auto 3. 54 4X4 TST 230hp
"If you can't Dodge it, Ram it!
'96 2500 diesel clubcab 4x4 5speed

 

[RBrunson]

Big John, thanks for the tip. I was wondering if anybody has just replaced them with ss. I had been thinking about doing it that way for awhile. I have a 1/2" bender left over from my Pipefitter days. I already have a Swagloc 1/2" tee with 1/4" npt thread modified with a 1/4" half coupling tig welded on it to make the well long enough for the probe. It will not fit without extending it. Some brands may fit, but the one I got from Westec needs a long fit. I guess I'll tackle it this weekend and find out if the bender still knows how to bend in the right direction. #ad


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Ron

'96 4x2 2500 Garnet/Driftwood Auto,3. 54,K&N,Cobra,Westac guages combo 50psi boost/egt, trans temp. 93 TT Terry 29L,'84 VW Rabbit diesel, 67 VW bug.

 

[illflem]

I checked again, no plastic fittings on mine, in fact where the steel lines connect to the cooler rubber hose there are the hose clamps that Boldt speaks of. My truck went in for trans line recall in it's early days, but I thought it was just for a check valve that was supposed to keep the TC from draining back when the rig was parked. Anyone think the lines may have been changed at that time?

 

[FParisi]

I know my '95 had plastic fittings- one melted and blew off towing my fiver on a dirt road in Montana.
Can any one tell me the size and thread type of the fittings? Is 1/4in NPT standard for the after maket temp probes? A friend is milling a piece to hold both the ISSPRO probe as well as the stock probe. Clamps are OK but I'd feel a whole lot better if it was all threaded together.
Thanks

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95 Blue 2500 4x4,3. 54,33x12. 5x16. 5 tires,catless,BD trans. cooler,Pacbrake,gauges-trans. temp,boost, pyro;high power cam plate ?Bosch?slid forward,afc adjusted some
96 Alfa SeeYa 30RK

 

[46mech]

Cooker, you are so right; I noticed that after I posted that and scanned the site for related stuff.

 

[illflem]

This is why I can't find any plastic fittings on mine

NHTSA Campaign Number : 97V084000
Year : 1995
Vehicle Make : DODGE TRUCK
Vehicle Model : RAM
Summary :
Under certain high load operating conditions, the transmission fluid
temperature can exceed the melting point of the material used in the connector
to retain the fluid line to the transmission.

When these temperatures occur, the fluid line will not stay connected with the
transmission and fluid can spray onto the exhaust manifold, resulting in smoke
or fire.

Dealers will replace the high temperature side of the transmission fluid cooler
line connector fittings with connectors that incorporate a stainless steel
retainer.
Owner notification began May 19, 1997. Owners who take their vehicles to an
authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free
remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Also
contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Auto Safety Hotline
at 1-800-424-9393.

 

[Joe G.]

Bill,

That was supposed to be only for the gassers. If you got them to do it on your oil burners you're lucky.

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Joe George
Eureka, CA

'95 2500 CC auto 4X4,3. 54,Combo EGT/boost guage,custom switch panel,PacBrake,TST #5,DTT TC/VB,Automatic motorhome steps on both sides,Foldacover hard bed cover,Cummins chrome kit,Black steel grill guard,Front hitch receiver

 

[RBrunson]

Frank, The thread on the bottom of the cooler is 3/8" NPT, and the other end at the transmission is 1/4" NPT. Most probes are 1/4" NPT.

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Ron

'96 4x2 2500 Garnet/Driftwood Auto,3. 54,K&N,Cobra,Westac guages combo 50psi boost/egt, trans temp. 93 TT Terry 29L,'84 VW Rabbit diesel, 67 VW bug.

 

[FParisi]

Thanks for the info, Ron.
Another question- the mechanic that put the BD cooler on got rid of the lines from the stock cooler to the block and instead ran them straight back to the transmission. It runs nice and cool this way. Is there a problem with it running too cool? -Other than taking a while to get OD + lock-up, not much of a problem here in S. Cal.

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95 Blue 2500 4x4,3. 54,33x12. 5x16. 5 tires,catless,BD trans. cooler,Pacbrake,gauges-trans. temp,boost, pyro;high power cam plate ?Bosch?slid forward,afc adjusted some
96 Alfa SeeYa 30RK