Hello everyone,
I just ordered the B&M trans. cooler # 70268 and was wondering about the install location. I've seen some who use the brackets which stands it out about an inch, and others that use the ties which holds it tight. Which way would you recommend to get the best performance? Also should this be mounted in the center, or off to the side as some have done, or does it make any difference?
Next question is about O/D Off. Around town I usually have it off, but on the highway I thought it should be on? On my other vehicle ('05 Nissan Xterra) it states not to use the O/D off at speeds over about 45mph, because with it off, it limits you to no higher than 4th gear, so at highway speed you'd need the 5th gear (Overdrive) does the JK work in the same way? When I'm on the highway my Jeep will go into high gear WAY before I think it should, which causes it to bog down, then I have to hit the gas to drop it down a gear and so on...I have a 2 door with the stock 3.73's and will be installing 33x12.50 tires this summer. When I reprogram the computer for the new tire size, will this help with the shift points?
Thanks for all your help.

 

I think they are best mounted with brackets away from the condensor. This way, they have air flow all the way around. That's how I mounted mine. I also mounted mine offset, to allow as much unblocked room as possible with the factory setup....but I don't really think this part is critical. I did it anyway.

 

And also remember that you run the risk of voiding your warranty once you install it. Food for thought.

 

They cannot void your warranty for one single mod. They might can refuse a transmission repair IF they can prove your transmission cooler caused the problem. I think that would be tough to do, though. Especially since a cool transmission is a happy transmission.

 

The closer to the fan the better the fan can pull air through it rather than around it. A trans cooler should not void the warrenty if installed per the instructions
Tom

 

Yes Redneck I was referring to the trans warranty. My dealer said not to install one if I want to preserve the warrnty. It's that simple...and it's stupid as hell.

The argument isn't "They might can refuse a transmission repair IF they can prove your transmission cooler caused the problem." The stealership will have this perspective instead: You must prove that the cooler DIDN'T cause damage. Ten years from now if your tranny fails, they can easily argue that perhaps you didn't install it properly at first, or whatever. With that much time having passed, they can easily void your warranty with the claim that you can't prove you didn't make a mistake at one point during the installation. That's what my dealer told me. Don't install it if you want to keep the warranty.

 

This is dead wrong and it is against the LAW. The Moss-Magnusun Warranty Act states that the dealer must prove that any aftermarket modifications caused the damage. The law is on our side here....even if some butthead dealership doesn't think so.

 

The dealer replaced my transmission with this argument:

1. Yes, you do have a lift and bigger tires.
2. Yes, you did gear to 5.13. That should have been easier on the transmission. and
3. Yes, you did install a transmission cooler - that thing shouldn't have burnt up.

So the dealer replaced my transmission partly because I had a tranny cooler!

No way a cooler is going to cause a transmission failure unless 1) it blocks all the fluid from circulating or 2) it leaks it all out. Cooling the tranny isn't going to hurt anything.

 

Hey guys I'm right there with you on all of your points and yes redneck the law is the law. But we're talking Chrysler here. Don't know what to tell you guys; my dealer said not to do it.

How's this for a scenario. 15 years from now, if you have the lifetime warranty and need the trans replaced, they'll have a good argument if they say that well somewhere along those 15 years either you didn't install it right or who knows what...with all the time gone by, they'll have an argument. So....I guess the point is you'd better be willing to deal with this POSSIBLE headache if you isntall one. Install the cooler if you're willing to be w/o your Jeep for a while you argue with the stealer about whether it should be warrantied. And again, I agree with you guys. But, some asswipe at the dealer might give you problems down the road.

 

Actually, I think we'll start finding out in about late 2012 when the first 2008 models with the Lifetime Warranty start going in for their 5-year checkup. If it gets past that gate without incident, I would think it would be hard for Chrysler to come back and say the cooler that passed inspection caused the issue.

Of course this depends on two big unknowns: 1) will ANY vehicle make it past the 5 year inspection, and 2) will Chrysler be around in 15 years? Remember, "Lifetime" could also mean the company, not necessarily the owner.