How difficult or complex is it to change out a radiator on 94 Dak 3.9. I'm concerned about the trans cooler.

After I did the plenum I had the rad pressure tested and the coolant system was tight.
Since I had the trans rebuilt and took it back complaining about it I have noticed that I have been losing coolant in the reservoir. When I use the AC it leaks and it drips out on the front driver side corner.
I caught it today and crawled under to see it was coming out in the center bottom, lots of tiny bubbles. I had expected to see a solid reservoir bottom but it looks like it is fins. I have the OE plastic still on So I can't get a good look.. It runs across the plastic to the corner where it drips.

 

The FSM doesn't mention or show the trans cooler. I just shows how to remove the rad.
It has intrigued me with the idea you can replace the parts of the radiator upper or lower plastic tank or the core separately. Has anyone done this?
Since it is so hard to find the parts I expect its more expensive than buying new.
Zoinks the dealer wants $430 for factory rad. Rock auto and ebay are pretty much $95 some as much as $130.

Lets hope the K-Seal fixes whatever leak I have. It seems only to be a problem at high heat/pressure.

 

It's pretty simple to remove the radiator. I just pulled a brand new one from a 91 junker at the pick and pull. Pull the upper and lower radiator hose and the two Trans cooler lines, remove the two screws and clips up top and pull it right out. The Trans cooler is integrated into the radiator...all one assembly. I've also pulled my 90 in and put more than I care. I'm assuming the 90 and 91 are similar to 94 but don't know for sure. There's definitely a reservoir on the bottom not fins...the lower radiator hose and Trans cooler lines connect to it.

 

How much trans fluid leaks out?
I looked in the FSM again and I am more confused They show the trans cooler in the lower tank but they also indicate there are lines that go from it to the air to oil cooler fins in front yet don't show them. The rad leak seems to be behind this set of fins.
I forgot to mention the dealer said they stopped making the separate parts around 04 or 05. Oh yea I wanted some spark wire trees and they only have the 3 wire tree special order! I need the one for the passenger side close to the firewall which has to hold 4 wires. They stopped making them too.

 

Well it looks like the K-Seal didn't work so I will be looking for a rad updates to come when I fins one or buy new.

 

I have the new rad but it looks like the tranny connections are going to defeat me. I have a pic of the one I can see. I don't see how that connection works but I'm guessing it is done with a compression fitting tool. The other side has a threaded fitting back where this line goes from rubber to metal.

Am I mistaken or ???? I don't want to take it apart then find out I can't replace it.

 

Just found this which shows the fitting is a push pull connector. You push in the hose and pull back on the end piece. Hope mine doesn't leak like his did

 

I have replaced the thermostat with a new 180 thermostat. A lot more work than I expected but I got it done without breaking anything.
I have the rad and hoses drained and all disconnected but I cannot get the trans cooler lines to come off like they do in that video in my previous post.
Is there a special tool that holds the hose and pulls the connector back?

Any help?

 

OK got it done.
I found this vid just after posting the last post I went directly to AZ and bought the tool that looked like it would work. No one had any idea what tool might be for a Dodge. It did not work. I tried several stores on the way back. No joy. I went to Napa and the guy had just done one himself and showed me the tool then told me I could grind it down if it was too big to fit. I needed <1/2" long to fit in the space before the fitting. I did so and it came right off The key here is that he has experience and knew the tool did not have to be as long as it was to work. Pic of tool after I ground it down and used it below. I tried making a tool like this guy did but it didn't work.