Mounting Transmission cooler
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 252
Likes: 2
From: Colleyville, TX
Mounting Transmission cooler
Anyone mount a transmission cooler using the plastic Zip tie mounting rods?
The instructions say to mount it pushing them through the ac condenser and radiator. It looks like the easiest way to do it. I just don't know if I am comfortable pushing the rod through both. Has anyone else done it? I just don't know if I would need more gap between the trans cooler and the condenser as well.
Let me know.
Thanks!
-Chuck
The instructions say to mount it pushing them through the ac condenser and radiator. It looks like the easiest way to do it. I just don't know if I am comfortable pushing the rod through both. Has anyone else done it? I just don't know if I would need more gap between the trans cooler and the condenser as well.
Let me know.
Thanks!
-Chuck
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
I have used it. I would not recommend it for this application.
Three reasons:
1. Jeeps might go off road and encounter many bumps. The hanging weight in the fins of the condenser and the radiator may cause damage. I've seen this problem on a Chevy truck for one example.
2. Pushing though both is bad because it is impossible to get the plastic things tight enough to keep the cooler still. If you tighten too much you pull the cores of the AC condenser and radiator together crating a whole list of problems. I've seen this problem on a commercial delivery truck for one example.
3. Just like an AC condenser is spaced away from the radiator a little, the cooler should also be spaced a little. It allows maximum performance of both devices. The better companies will tell you this in the directions.
There have been write ups and directions here that show how to make an effective hanger system out of the hardware from some readily available coolers. Personally I would go that route.
If you need simple hardware you can make it from small rectangular tubing available at any hardware store. Cut it long enough to make cross braces behind the grill and bolt it to the Jeep. Then drill holes in that for the plastic things and attach your generic trans cooler. If your cooler has mounting tabs, use them on the braces instead.
Three reasons:
1. Jeeps might go off road and encounter many bumps. The hanging weight in the fins of the condenser and the radiator may cause damage. I've seen this problem on a Chevy truck for one example.
2. Pushing though both is bad because it is impossible to get the plastic things tight enough to keep the cooler still. If you tighten too much you pull the cores of the AC condenser and radiator together crating a whole list of problems. I've seen this problem on a commercial delivery truck for one example.
3. Just like an AC condenser is spaced away from the radiator a little, the cooler should also be spaced a little. It allows maximum performance of both devices. The better companies will tell you this in the directions.
There have been write ups and directions here that show how to make an effective hanger system out of the hardware from some readily available coolers. Personally I would go that route.
If you need simple hardware you can make it from small rectangular tubing available at any hardware store. Cut it long enough to make cross braces behind the grill and bolt it to the Jeep. Then drill holes in that for the plastic things and attach your generic trans cooler. If your cooler has mounting tabs, use them on the braces instead.
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 252
Likes: 2
From: Colleyville, TX
I have used it. I would not recommend it for this application.
Three reasons:
1. Jeeps might go off road and encounter many bumps. The hanging weight in the fins of the condenser and the radiator may cause damage. I've seen this problem on a Chevy truck for one example.
2. Pushing though both is bad because it is impossible to get the plastic things tight enough to keep the cooler still. If you tighten too much you pull the cores of the AC condenser and radiator together crating a whole list of problems. I've seen this problem on a commercial delivery truck for one example.
3. Just like an AC condenser is spaced away from the radiator a little, the cooler should also be spaced a little. It allows maximum performance of both devices. The better companies will tell you this in the directions.
There have been write ups and directions here that show how to make an effective hanger system out of the hardware from some readily available coolers. Personally I would go that route.
If you need simple hardware you can make it from small rectangular tubing available at any hardware store. Cut it long enough to make cross braces behind the grill and bolt it to the Jeep. Then drill holes in that for the plastic things and attach your generic trans cooler. If your cooler has mounting tabs, use them on the braces instead.
Three reasons:
1. Jeeps might go off road and encounter many bumps. The hanging weight in the fins of the condenser and the radiator may cause damage. I've seen this problem on a Chevy truck for one example.
2. Pushing though both is bad because it is impossible to get the plastic things tight enough to keep the cooler still. If you tighten too much you pull the cores of the AC condenser and radiator together crating a whole list of problems. I've seen this problem on a commercial delivery truck for one example.
3. Just like an AC condenser is spaced away from the radiator a little, the cooler should also be spaced a little. It allows maximum performance of both devices. The better companies will tell you this in the directions.
There have been write ups and directions here that show how to make an effective hanger system out of the hardware from some readily available coolers. Personally I would go that route.
If you need simple hardware you can make it from small rectangular tubing available at any hardware store. Cut it long enough to make cross braces behind the grill and bolt it to the Jeep. Then drill holes in that for the plastic things and attach your generic trans cooler. If your cooler has mounting tabs, use them on the braces instead.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs, CO
I used the the provided brackets to mount it to the top and 4 zip tie to connect it to the bottom. I mounted mine with the in/out facing up and centered in the middle. This way gave me an inch or more clearance from the radiator and it hid the hoses pretty well.
JK Junkie
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,472
Likes: 4
From: Virginia Woods
Not Hard At All
I went to lowe's plumbing dept, got some 1/2'' pipe clamps with the rubber inserts and put 2 on each end of the cooler. I then removed the grill, cut strips from a roll of pipe hanging strap and screwed the strips the width of the cooler to the radiator support with self tapping screws. I then mounted the cooler to the strips (bolts pointing out) with 1/4''x20 bolts with locknuts. Hooked up my hoses and spray painted it all black. Reinstalled grill. Pictures are in yellow unlimited 4dr gallery under tinman080 -tranny cooler 001, 002 , 004. I have no idea in hell how to move those pictures here.....LOL
Look and enlarge- the picture is pretty clear... Works VERY well, NO issues with vibration or cooling...
Look and enlarge- the picture is pretty clear... Works VERY well, NO issues with vibration or cooling...
Last edited by TINMAN080; Jun 7, 2008 at 07:28 AM.
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JK Super Freak
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,267
Likes: 2
From: Thunder Bay, Ontario
Home depot sells steel flat bar (where the angle iron is) about an inch wide and has punched out holes every inch. With the grill, off just under the upper rad support you will notice two plastic tangs with a hole just perfect for an upper mount. Cut 2 - 15" pieces of flat bar and bend each 90 degree (L Bracket) at 12 1/8" from one end . Bolt the flat ends of each to the top tangs then drill two small holes in the top of the lower rad support for the L end of the flat bar. Now you have a JEEP proof support to mount your transcooler to (I used the plastic bolts supplied, pushed through the trans cooler fins with the rubber isolator block between the new mount and the cooler). This mount will keep your cooler about an inch away from your condensor, and so should provide plenty of breathing space.
PS Pics on the way didn't have time today..
PS Pics on the way didn't have time today..
Last edited by jtphoto JK; Jun 7, 2008 at 07:12 PM.
Super Moderator
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,750
Likes: 89
From: Arizona
Installed my B&M Supercooler today. Did not want to use the through-radiator attachment because I didn't think it was a good idea to 1) hang anything on the fins in a vehicle that will surely take a pounding and 2) didn't want to restrict airflow any more than possible.
Saw this idea in this thread: https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/jk-write-ups-39/transmission-cooler-37839/
Pretty easy install.
Here's what mine looks like. Hangs away from the A/C condenser (can slip my hand behind) so airflow should be good. Very solid mount so vibration shouldn't be a problem. Only two holes to drill for the bottom mounts (not shown, behind the winch).
The factory cooler is at the bottom and has restricted airflow. I don't think the winch helps either. This mounting puts some air across the aux cooler.
Saw this idea in this thread: https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/jk-write-ups-39/transmission-cooler-37839/
Pretty easy install.
Here's what mine looks like. Hangs away from the A/C condenser (can slip my hand behind) so airflow should be good. Very solid mount so vibration shouldn't be a problem. Only two holes to drill for the bottom mounts (not shown, behind the winch).
The factory cooler is at the bottom and has restricted airflow. I don't think the winch helps either. This mounting puts some air across the aux cooler.