Help with tranny cooler install

[shampooguy]

How have some of you installed a transmission cooler? I haven't looked at the connections on the transmission itself (I have an '05), but the ones on the radiator are the clip/O-ring type (not threaded), so it seems the only way to tap into the line is to cut into the rubber part.

Any suggestions? Thanks

[spike88]

On my '09 Montana van, I purchased a Hayden aux trannsmisison cooler rated for 5,000 lbs trailer. I hear the ATF oils run hot in GM vans. Thus, why I installed the next larger size cooler. Mounted this cooler in front of my van's A/C rad using 2 x "L" shaped steel rails with self tapping screws top and bottom. Very simply physical install. For its ATF piping, I cut the main rad's top hose (that has the rubber o-ring connector) and replaced with "L" shape replacement with normal solid brass connector. This replacement screwed into the top of the main rad. Luckily, I was able to purchase this special order "L" shapped steel hose (for only $8.00) at my local NAPA dealer.

If wondering, the factory o-ring connector simply unscrews from the rad. I unscrewed my van's o-ring connector and took to my NAPA store. They simply looked into their special order books and ordered my needed "L" shapped steel pipe - with proper solid steel connector (with matching threads) on it. Clean and simple. But, I did have to wait 3 days to obtain this special order part. Luckily, we had another vehicle we could use - while waiting for this special order part. But it was worth the wait...

For lots of pictures of my van's aux rad install, surf:

http://s178.photobucket.com/albums/w...Van/?start=all

Works great for my van...

.

[shampooguy]

Thanks for the reply...I just ended up tapping into the rubber hose part of the return line, connecting cooler lines with barbed connectors