Tranny oil cooler add on - 2004 Blazer

[jsgold]

I am having a time on what should be a simple thing. I recently bought a 2004 Blazer, 4.3 4x4. 4 door with the intent to tow a small pop up camper(1600-2000lbs, depending on stuff hauled in it), and I bought a nice Hayden transmission cooler and added wiring. It already had a hitch but someone had removed the plug for some reason. It apparently had towed before but must have been well cared for and not abused from the looks of it. Fluid in nice shape, just excellent overall condition. The problem is that the 2004 has a "quick connect" tranny cooler line rather than the threaded ones like all the other GM cars and trucks I have owned. Advance sold me the wrong fitting (Hayden 240391) and what I need is a 240397. I have tried three times to get this, but no luck from Advance. They either have trouble with their blasted ordering system or warehouse is out. They should STOCK it but that is my opinion. Anyway what would be the harm in cutting the line and simply splicing the rubber transmission lines with double clamps? I do not have a flare tool... I have called other parts stores and they have no idea what I am talking about. I was considering removing the insert and seeing if I could get a brass adapter to make the 240391 work, but anyone else ever installed one of these into a truck with the quick connect lines?

[4x4 blazerguy]

I can't give you any opinions on the part your needing, but if you do choose to cut & use a rubber connector with hose clamps I have a few suggestions.
First go to NAPA & buy hyd. hose or power steering hose same thing. It comes in 1/4", 5/16" 3/8" & bigger.
Second You don't have to have a flare tool, the pressure isn't that great. Just be sure to push the hose on a good inch or more & made sure your clamps are tight.
I had a cooler line on my wife's Lumina blow. I replaced both lines as I have suggested here. The OEM Lines were rubber climped steel fittings & I just cut the crimps off & added rubber hose. They have been on for 25,000 miles without a leak.
Hope this helps.

[jsgold]

Thanks. The cooler comes with a length of transmission (rubber) line and I bought extra in case I needed it. It is supposed to connect to either top or bottom line by way of adapter for the radiator and then the other end would simply slide on to the steel line as mine has a flare on it that would insure a good seal. I need to use the truck this weekend so I may just use it without the cooler until I get back as time is very short. I had a car that had both lines spliced like this and never had any problems. Just was not sure if this would be OK on a tow vehicle.

[4x4 blazerguy]

I want to add a cooler to mine 1997 4x4. It has a steel line cooler in front of the radiator, but I like you want a good finned cooler. I will do as I suggested to you when I do mine.
Also, If you add a bottle of LUBEGARD to your tranny that will help also. It comes for different fluilds. I believe your truck uses Dexron III. That will be the RED BOTTLE of LUBEGARD.
I got my tranny so hot a few months ago it started coming out the vent tube. It was burnt so bad I figured I was in for a NEW TRANNY. Well I had it flushed, a new filter, & pan gasket installed & it is working great. When I talked with the mechanic that did the work he was real surprised it even pulled off the rack. I'm a retired mechanic & had put LUBEGARD in the tranny before we towed a 5000# trailer 700 miles. The only reason I believe that tranny is still working is because of the LUBEGARD. I know a tranny shop that did a few tests with LUBEGARD & found that a tranny will run about 40 degrees cooler with it. I'm not a representative of LUBEGARD just a customer.

PS the mechanic that did the work agreed with me that LUBEGARD may of been the savior of my tranny. He uses it in all trannys he services as do most good tranny shops.

[jsgold]

Thanks for the info! I had never heard of Lubeguard but will look for it. I plan on doing a flush and filter later this fall as well. Will see if I can find the Lugeguard and add when I change.

[01shavedblaze]

I am also adding an external finned cooler to my 01 blazer extreme w/auto trans. I am assuming the return line is the one on the bottom of the radiator since it is cooler after driving. Is that right?