Yesterday, I finished installing my transmission cooler and steering column mounted transmission temp guage. I drove around today, and my temp stayed at around 170. Max was 180. Overall, I am pretty happy with the result. Only complaint was how long it took to wire in the guage.

Here are the parts I used:
Hayden 678 Rapid-Cool Plate and Fin Transmission Cooler: $69.99
Hayden 396 Transmission Line Fitting Kit: $14.99
AutoMeter Z-Series 2640 2" Guage: $42.88
Autometer Steering Column Pod 15012: $26.99
18 guage wiring: about $6.00
Time: Did a little each day for the last 3 days, total time was about 8 hours.

Thought I would share some pics with you all.

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One other part I forgot to list that you might consider if you do something like this is some extra transmission hose. The one that came with the kit (it is not a vehicle specific kit, it is general application) I thought was not long enough for a Dodge Ram application. The bends would have been to tight to allow for free flowing fluid. So, I bought an extra 4 feet or so of hose. Used the one that came with the kit for the line going into the cooler, and the one I bought for the line going out of the cooler.

Cost: About $9.00

 

your tranny hoses, didnt have to be high pressure? Nice install. Looks bigger than the one I've got on mine, however I dont have mine going through the radiator (dumb place for a tranny cooler if you ask me). How does it attach to the radiator?

 

If by high pressure, you mean hard lines, then no. The hose is specifically designed for transmission lines though, not just any old hose from the parts store, so it might be able to handle some amount of pressure.

I was going to mount mine next to the radiator on the right, but after talking with some trans shops they said they install them the same as the directions showed, mounted directly to the AC condensor. That way, if you are not moving, or moving very slowly, you still have air passing through it from the fan. You also off-set it to one side (left or right) because the most air flow is on the edges of the fan, not in the middle. I am going to be keeping an eye on my coolant temp and AC operation to make sure having it mounted there does not cause issues.

It attaches to the AC condensor with long push pins with locking nuts on the back. You basically put the pin through the pin holes in the cooler, then push it through the condensor fins. On the back of the AC condensor, you slide the push pin through a locking "nut". It clicks down tight on the push pin until you have the cooler nice and snug against the condensor (with small foam pads in between them to prevent rubbing). Then you trim off the excess push pin.

 

attempting this on my 2003 DOdge Durango..... how did you plub below...... I have located the out line and will put cooler there before it goes back to tranny..... dodge uses spring clips on the ends of its rubber tubes..... except one end had maybe a quick connect???? can't figure out how to get the thing off!!!!

 

I just unscrewed the top line out of the top of the radiator, but i would question whether the setup is the same on a 03 durango as it was on my '99 1500. Send a pic of the area you are having problem with if you can, and we might be able to tell you more.

 

i would have prefered putting it in the dash pillar on drivers side, and i would have used a little smaller guage, but it still looks good, just a little big for where it is..

 

I agree. I wanted to do the a-pillar guage, but I am going to be putting a grab handle there instead. My wife requested it since I am putting a lift on. Once the a-pillar was ruled out, I could only find 2 other guage pods. One for the steering column (the one I used), and one for the top of the dash. The dash one was a 3 guage pod, and really stuck up in my opinion. The guage I have is not that bad once you get used to it. It doesn't block the instrument panel as bad as it looks like in the picture becaue you sit up higher then the angle the pic was taken at.

 

Looks good, I am thinking of doing the same thing soon. Will an autometer tranny temp guage come with everything I need to hook it up? Just wondering, why dont you have a tachometer and a really big gas gauge? Thanks

 

I wish I had a tach instead, but the is just how it came.

Click on the link in my signature, or on my gallery, and you will see a pic of the trans cooler I installed after I did this one. This is kinda an old post. I like my new one much better then the one in the pics on this post. My new one works much better. It's from Flex-a-lite part number 4232.

The gauge comes with everything you need, if you plan to hook it up in the port on the side of the trans. If you want to put it into the pan, or into one of the trans lines, you will need a few other parts. You will also need to get some various colors of electrical wire to run to your sending unit and to connect to a power source for gauges light (if you get the same gauge I did). The gauge only comes with a small pigtail of wire. I recommend 18 guage for automotive use.