Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) transmission cooler and lines???

[omlambu]

My truck was in an accident before I owned it. The accident crimped off one of the cooler lines and put a crease in the cooler itself. The PO's repair was to cut out the line anywhere it was too bent and replace with rubber line. The rubber line is now leaking and I was brainstorming ideas for a repair. From reading other posts, the lines are difficult and quite expensive from the dealer and the cooler maybe on national backorder.



1. Can I eliminate the engine coolant/transmission cooler? (now I imagine the front cooler is too small to handle the work on its own. )



2. Can I eliminate the front cooler and go to one large cooler w/out the engine cooler? OR



3. What about one of the remote mount coolers with a fan? I would like to run one of these as a stand alone cooler with all new lines.



Thanks guys for the input and answering my questions. Hope I am making enough sense.

 

[Texis]

No comment on the cooler, but don't buy replacement OEM lines. They rub and leak. After fixing 4 or 5 leaks at different locations I cut ALL the lines and went back with triple braided 3000 psi hyd hose with screw on fittings. I used 1/2" compression x No. 8 JIC fittings to adapt the tubing to the hose. Over kill, but done. BTW the cooler male fittings are No. 8 JIC as well. If you buy "re-useable" 2 piece screw on hyd fittings you can do the job in your drive way.



You can use 1/2" ID rubber hose and hose clamps for the lines. MAKE SURE you use hose that is rated for oil, gas, etc. Do not use hose that is rated for water (like heater hose). Water hose will be made from EPDM and hydrocarbon rated hose will be made from NBR. Your current hose may be leaking because it is the wrong material?



EPDM will swell and get soft if exposed to hydrocarbons, or it may premeate and leak.

 

[omlambu]

Yea, I assume the PO used regular rubber hose. I was hoping to use some stainless tubing and flared or AN fittings whatever the job requires. If I cannot get the tubing I can get some hydraulic line and do what you did.

thanks for the tip