Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Bypassing transmission Cooler

[ndurbin]

I've had it up to my neck with these frickin' transmission cooler lines leaking (and the dealer supposedly tying them up outta the way) #@$%! .



Can I cut it completely outta the loop or maybe a shutoff valve and open it back up when I am towing would be a better idea? I plan on picking up a double deep transmission pan also.





TIA

Nathan

 

[BKenny]

I bypassed mine on my Bronco and ran an aftermarket cooler . The stock one was,nt very good. Im not sure about the Dodge one though my broncos went through the ratiator.

 

[matches]

Where are they leaking, is it the plastic clips into the radiator? If not, just the lines, I wouldn't bypass the transmission cooler they are really important, try going to a place that makes hydraulic hoses and get a custom set made, maybe that would make it right. The first gens have a frame mounted remote transmission cooler that works really well, check around and maybe hook up one of those.

 

[ndurbin]

Well the first time was on the little bracket on the oil pan bolt. Dealership was "suppose to" patch it and tie them up outta the way so it wouldn't happen agian . Second time was caused by them not being tied up by the dealership and rubbing against the front crossmember. Now they rubbed against each other on the back passenger corner of the trans. (I am just guessing as to why) because somebody was to lazy to remove the lines when they removed the transmission and just cut the steel lines and replaced them with rubber hose. I did wrap the lines on the drivers side with heater hose to keep the from getting holes, guess I missed the passenger side.



And the damn things pick the best times to do it too. In the middle of the return trip from Thanksgiving at the grandparents w/ the wind blowing nicely (this is KS afterall) and being about 40s degrees out.



I did price a new set of lines from DC awhile back and even at what my cost would be, I think I could do alot better than doing that. Being back in the same boat with the crappy lines and design.



Nathan

 

[Dave Remillard]

When DTT did my transmission, part of the job included replacement of the stock lines with much better and beefier aftermarket lines. Maybe give Bill a call and see if you can score some from him. Having some custom made ones built is a great idea also. Perhaps a bit more costly than aftermarket, but??

My $0. 02 worth. Good Luck which ever route you go.

 

[KB0OU]

I replace all of my lines with hose, forget the stock lines.

 

[chrleb1]

There is an eftermarket set of lines out there that replaces the plastic fittings also. It makes things much nice. We usually run 2 coolers (run them in series).

 

[Howard Durand]

Nathan, do you still have the original lines that came on your truck?

I had to have mine replaced by a dealer on an emergency basis so had no time to look for anything else but the ones they put on are are much better than the original ones.

They are steel lines with flare type fittings. I think the original ones were aluminum and they had the quick disconnect fittings.

The new ones were about $300 which isn't too bad. Mine were much more because I had to have the truck towed in and had to pay dealer installation.

50,000 miles or so and no problems except for the mickey mouse clamps the dealer used on the hose connections to the cooler.

 

[ndurbin]

I think they were replaced by a previous owner because they don't have the quick disconnect fittings. I'm the 3rd owner of it. It's had some mikey mouse jobs done on it that I've found and been fixing. Just these lines are a royal PITA that they keep getting holes in them.



Nathan