This is how I installed the external transmission cooler on my 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4. The way I did it leaves all the factory parts, (radiator tranny cooler, check ball, etc.) in order. I would guess you could do it with any cooler, they all have an inlet and an outlet. You want to put the cooler in after the fluid goes through the cooler in the radiator (factory standard), so the idea is to splice it in the return line. This will provide “double cooling” in the summer, and will warm the fluid up somewhat in the winter, by passing it through the warm radiator. To see if your vehicle has the same setup, look at the pics and compare. Some factory tranny coolers are mounted in between the radiator and the condenser, so check that out before you buy.

Here are the instructions for a Ram. Some people sandwich the tranny cooler between the radiator and the condenser - I thought about that but to get enough room to work behind the condenser requires removing it - which requires unhooking the A.C. lines and an A.C recharge.

#1 - Attaching the cooler on the outside as I did requires removal of the two top bolts that hold the condenser on in order to get your arm behind it to attach the plastic mounting nuts. No biggie. The new cooler comes with plastic strips that go through the condenser and plastic washers to connect the strips to. See Mfr. instructions.

#2 - You need a "quick disconnect tool", $6 at Auto Zone, to unhook the "hard line" at the joint. Push the tool into the fitting to move the “fingers” back, while pulling apart the connection. This is sometimes easier said than done. The return line is the one that attaches to the top of the radiator....see pic. There will be some drainage from the line, so have a pan and rags handy. An 11/16 wrench removes the fitting at the radiator.

#3 - I used a tubing cutter to cut the line about 1/2 way down, leaving enough of the line to still catch in the holder on the radiator after being bent. Use a tubing bender to bend the ends of the line forward - be careful not to kink it. Mine started to kink even with the bender - so watch carefully as you bend. If it starts to kink, stop, a perfect 90 degree bend isn't necessary. I used a flaring tool to flare the cut ends of the line a little bit - enough to help hold the hose in place better - and filed the edges smooth so the hose would not cut through. Blow compressed air through the hard line pieces to clean out any metal filings. Reattach the ends to the radiator and return line.

#4 - I ran the bottom line out to the external cooler through a precut place in the rubber next to the radiator, I cut a hole for the top line. Cut cooler hose to length, attach top to top, bottom to bottom with clamps provided with cooler. Don't overtighten the clamps – just good and snug. You can double clamp it if you like.

#5 - I left the bottom hose off and had my son start the truck up in neutral to make sure I had good fluid flow before I buttoned it up. Have a clean container to catch the fluid that comes out. You won't have to run it long to get fluid out - so this is best done with two people. You can put the fluid back in the tranny if you use a clean container.

#6 - I cut two pieces of old radiator hose to use as a buffer between the cooler lines and the A.C. condenser lines and zip tied the lines loosely together. Probably didn't have to - but I didn't want them rubbing. Depending on how much fluid drained from the lines, and how much the cooler holds, you may have to add some tranny fluid, so check the level after installation. That's pretty much it. If you can find the "hard line" at a salvage yard - I would suggest getting one and doing your cutting and bending on it, that way you have an extra. If you screw up the original - you'll be needing another ride to go find one! The tools I used can be rented at Auto Zone if you don't have them. I hope this is clear enough......Good Luck!






Ram2ndGen