Trans Cooler for Support Vehicle

[ravengp]

This isn't exactly a Jeep question but it is about my support vehicle. I want to put a transmission cooler on my 96 Caravan so I can put a tow kit on and tow my M416 trailer when I need to. My question is this:

Is this something I should be able to do or should I take it in and have it done? Also, with a trailer this light (600 lbs empty) do I even need a transmission cooler?

Thanks for the help.

[91YEEPER]

is it the 4l60e or 700r? either one should be fine with 600lbs behind it without much extra. 600 lbs is 3 big guys riding in the van.

[myblack89yj]

trans cooler couldnt hurt though

[jackhammer]

I learned hard way twice....just do it...rather to wonder if you didnt need it then to realize you did on side of road

[warrior]

What kills auto trannys is overheated oil.
So I recomend a cooler, Its easy to install as well.
Since the grill area is not to big I'll recomend an "B&M 70268 Super Cooler"
Also check the tongue weight shouldn't be higher than 300 pounds.(vehicle hitch weight)

Dodge Caravans are front wheel drive(Unles you have the "ALL" wheel drive), In the rear
there is a tube that holds both wheels(Like an axle),That particular tube
has been braking in half and lots of accident are recorded, Finally
Chrysler is recalling all those vans.Just be carefull and good luck.

[ravengp]

Yeeper, man I have no idea! All I know about the thing is it's got all the bells and whistles Chrysler had in 96. It's got the biggest V-6 engine so I would assume it's got a bigger tranny to go with it. I hate working on it so I only pop the hood when I have to. As an example: I had to change the alternator and wound up having to take damn near the whole front clip off just to get to it! I could get it off but to take it out the hood had to come off and the entire windshield wiper assembly and cowl.

Warrior, thanks for the info on the cooler. I hope it's easier to install than that alternator! Also, hadn't heard about the rear "axle" breaking in half or a recall on it. I'll have to look up the recalls to see if it is still open for mine. Thanks.

[michdave]

I just installed a tranny(not the gross kind of tranny) cooler on my JK. I think we have the same motor (so sad for me). haha

But, it was a super easy install . I bought the heavy duty trans cooler with the built in brakects. Tappeded into the factory rubber lines, and just ran the cooler in series. Worked out great, and easy. I don't have a guage yet to tell the difference in temp, but I'm sure with towing and turning 35's, it'll help out a lot.

[HillBillE]

Even with the M416, install a cooler.

My XJ needed one to tow my 'HillBillE Hotel'.

Found out the hard way, when my buddy Dave's transmission overheated on the way to Moab while towing my trailer.

They are light, but they also change the aerodynamics of the rig, cuasing drag. (not sure how that works on an XJ, since it's like a brick anyway)

[ravengp]

Thanks for the advice Hillbillie! I'm still workin out the "blueprints" on the "Raven's Roost" so right now the trailer is being used for hauling.

Okay, so I've found a decent tranny cooler at a fair price and, other than tapping the transmission, it doesn't look too difficult.

Now here's the trick, the trailer hitch will sit about 3" below the bumper on the van. The tongue dips down a little when it's attached to the Jeep so I need to find a way to lift (I can't believe I'm actually sayin this) the minivan so the trailer will ride relatively level. I'm on a tight budget but I also need to keep safety in mind as my whole family rides in the van.

Anybody have any ideas on this one? BTW it's a 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan with a 3.8l V-6. I have no idea what kind of transmission it has.

[warrior]

There are "Offset" hitches that will bring the ball higher.