I spent a few minutes searching and browsing and didn't see this. If its been done can someone link me or let me know who's done it?

I recently put a new transmission cooler on, bypassing the factory Aux cooler. I want to run my power steering lines to the bypassed aux cooler because the truck did not have the factory power steering cooler when I bought it a couple years ago.

Is this a viable solution since I already have that radiator? Or would it be better to just use a factory power steering cooler?

Is this safe? As in-how much pressure is in the lines? Isn't one power steering line a return line?

I know there are a few different lengths of PS lines available for the factory setup because when I bought my new PSPump and lines the guy at NAPA had part #'s for with and without the factory cooler (what I have on the 99 2wd).

If using the factory aux trans cooler as a PS cooler, I was going to reverse the cooler's orientation (passenger to driver side) so the lines would be as short as possible.

Reasons for doing this:
My '99 Ram 1500 5.9 2WD has a factory power steering cooler (assuming its factory, its mounted on the front crossmember just below the radiator on the driver's side). My 01 1500 4x4 does NOT and the power steering lines get so hot I cannot even touch them (212F+ since they sizzle) when I have my plow on or drive around town. I try to go extra easy on steering and never turn the wheel when the truck is sitting there. I use the 01 4x4 99% of the time and plow with it in the winter so I'd like to make sure my pump lasts a while.

 

I really don't think you need to worry about it. If you don't already have a factory power steering cooler, it's not going to be as simple as cutting a couple hard lines and running them through the the trans cooler. You need at least to purchase power steering hoses for a Ram the comes factory with the PS cooler.

 

Alright, sounds like I'll add the factory PS Cooler to the list of things to grab from the junkyard. They had a a couple 3/4 and 1 ton trucks there a month or so ago. Maybe one of them has one I can use.

 

Pressure from PS pump will be an issue. Getting a PS cooler is the best bet.

 

You'll need the correct hoses also. And you will also find the cooler on some 1500's with the tow package. My 1500 had a PS cooler on it.

 

Just plumb it in on the low pressure side. saves having to get and hook up high pressure lines and risk a blow out in the cooling tubes

 

It's plumbed into the return (low pressure ) side anyway. So it might be possible to remove the return line hose from the pump and see if it will reach the cooler. If not, I guess you could cut the hard line near the gear box and using PS hose run it to the cooler and then back to the pump. Double clamp it where you cut the hard line.