99 Caravan SE tranny oil cooler install

[jazzy1986]

Hi,
After reading all the horror stories about Dodge Caravan transmissions, I decied to put in a transmission oil cooler immediately in my 99 Caravan SE with 60K miles.
What kind of a cooler to buy? Anyone has installation instruction with pictures if possible?

Thanks for help. Please save my transmission.

[jazzy1986]

Wait a minute. I just checked and there is a small tranny oil cooler already attached in front of the radiator. Is this one good enough?

[GTP Dad]

It should be adequate as long as you aren't towing with the van. Just make certain that you use the proper transmission fluid ATF+4 for Chrysler transmissions. Do not substitute any other types. I also recommend that you have the filter changed regularly. Don't wait for the 100K recommended by the manufacturer. I think this is why so many of these transmissions fail.

[jazzy1986]

Will do that. Thanks for the reply.

[arobinso]

My mechanic buddy has a lot of experience with mopar vans (his own and customers) and recommended replacing the stock cooler on my '99 Grand Voyager to extend trans life. Not because it would make him rich (he knew I would do it myself) but because the stock cooler is what the van needs for "normal" cooling. You usually don't find out that you've exceeded "normal" until it is too late. Since I was planning on towing a boat once or twice a year, I changed the fluid and filter and swapped the stock unit for an after-market unit about 3 times the size plus good size tubes. The swap was easy, the stock cooler had two hoses feeding it so I got some 5/16" hose splices and connected the hoses in the kit to the hoses in the van. I managed to make the stock mounting bracket work also. On mine, the hose connections were easier to get at with the airbox removed.

[lakeman]

Is the cooler plumbed into the rad cooler or is it stand alone?

[jazzy1986]

It's plumbed into the radiator.