My original trans cooler has been leaking so I bought this new Flexalite Extra Heavy Duty cooler and installed it this weekend.
Got it from JC Whitney on Ebay for only $37 shipped. It came with 4 foot of hose, 4 hose clamps, and the plastic fasteners to attach to the radiator.
It's model# 4126

It was an easy install. Using an external (Long's) trans thermostat with it to keep the temp at 180*.

I want to delete my check valve and add an inline filter that has the check valve in it.
Does anyone know where I can get the fittings to convert the threaded lines to the barbed push-on type?
And recommend an inline filter to use?

Thanks

 

Just snag some brass hose barbs at the hardware store.

The Derale remote filter comes with hose barbs, so that piece of the puzzle just fits itself into place.

 

Thanks, I will get that filter.

Does the the OE check valve line flow to or from the cooler? I have it flowing to cooler(which I think is how it was) but all the remote filter instructions say to install in the return line.

What line does the remote filter install to?

 

The flow through the check valve is from the transmission to the cooling system, in the pressure (hot) side.

The line the factory check valve comes out of, the pressure/hot side. That way the crud coming out of the transmission never reaches the cooling system to plug it up.

 

I like it beeker!

At first I was like...that's in front of the radiator...and then it's the condenser.

So It does fit b/t them just right?

Question, is there such thing as too cold tranny fluid?

 

Absolutely yes, there is. That's why you can't get overdrive when the ATF temp is below 50 degrees F -- the engineers are protecting your investment. Well, Chrysler's margins, since these trucks came with a ten year, 100,000 mile warranty.

The symptoms of ATF being too cold aren't usually perceived, but still cause damage due to slow servo motion, excessive viscous coupling of clutches, things like that. If you've upgraded to stuff more clutches into the unit the cold oil viscous coupling can be significant enough that you'll feel it, like the transmission is fighting itself. Usually the slow servo action causes big lag in shifts, but it can, very rarely, kill the engine (and perhaps some transmission parts) when the transmission hits an illogical state.

The fix is to install a thermostatic bypass valve to keep the oil out of the auxiliary cooler until it's up to normal temperature. But, even then, if you're sporting a built transmission you should still get into the cold weather habit of cold starting in Neutral and letting it run until the engine temp gauge starts to move.

 

So I have it installed correctly then, that's good!

First pic was just to show the size, it's actually about the same size as the factory air cooler but the tubes are larger diameter. Plenty of room between the radiator and condenser, enough to pancake 3 coolers together(not that you'd want to).

I'm using an external thermostat to bring the oil up to temp as Unregistereduser described.

I went to Lowes and picked up the LFA-294 brass fitting to delete my check valve. It's 3/8ths hose barb x 3/8ths male thead. Should thread right into the hot oil line where the check valve currently is.

 

Gorgeous install! Do you have any pics of the filter installed as well? A couple more follow up questions... How has she ran since the install of the cooler and the filter? How often do you replace the filter? I'm wanting to do this once I get my tranny rebuilt so anything I should know would be awesome!
Thanks

 

A good rule of thumb is to replace the filter when the appropriate maintenance schedule would have you change the fluid and adjust the bands. You shouldn't have to replace the internal filter until it's so old that it might start exfoliating -- about every fourth band adjustment is a safe bet.

 

Thanks! It does have that somethin special look to it. I took back the local auto parts heavy duty cooler cause it was way smaller than the stock cooler and the tubes were very narrow, picked up this one instead. It really is a nice unit to look at.

I haven't installed the filter yet, I have one on order and will update with pics when I install it. Decided to wait on the Derale remote filter due to not knowing where I want to mount it yet. Instead I ordered a 3/8ths Magnefine brand in-line particulate filter for the mean time while I ponder the best way to install the Derale unit.

The trans feels the same, can't comment on temps cause I don't have a temp guage. Will shoot it with a infrared temperature gun next time I am able to, however the return line is considerably cooler than the hot side, and the hot side feels crazy hot to me when touching the metal supply line. Would be nice to know what the temps are doin.

You're supposed to change the filters every 30k miles or every 12 months, whichever comes first.