Tranny Coolers !

BoyNamedSue · **Joined:** Mon Mar 12, 2007 3:32 pm **Posts:** 66

Is the tranny cooler that comes with the Libby a good one, or should I upgrade to something better?
Any recommendations?
I was looking at this site and there were a number of options: http://www.autoanything.com/coolers/20A50680A1.aspx
I want to see if I can make it to 200,000 miles.

I noticed engine coolers are also available.
Are those recommended or not necessary?

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Fri Mar 16, 2007 11:10 pm

Ive always thought engine oil coolers were an awesome add-on that would help the engine last longer. Ive always wanted to get one that went between the oil filter, but there are alot of things I would like to do. :lol:

The stock tranny cooler is ok if you dont plan on towing big loads in high heat. If you plan on offroading alot in heat of summer, a bigger tranny cooler is always a plus, not really a must though.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Sat Mar 17, 2007 4:39 am

BoyNamedSue wrote:

Is the tranny cooler that comes with the Libby a good one, or should I upgrade to something better?
Any recommendations?
I was looking at this site and there were a number of options: http://www.autoanything.com/coolers/20A50680A1.aspx
I want to see if I can make it to 200,000 miles.

I noticed engine coolers are also available.
Are those recommended or not necessary?

I think you are making a smart move. :wink:

Especially if you are wanting to reach 200,000 miles running the factory motor and trany. The factory motor and transmission can easily reach the 200,000 mark and beyond if you do some basic upgrades.
1. High Quality Synthetic Oil, I recommend motor oil (Amsoil 0W-30) and transmission fluid (Amsoil ATF).
2. I recommend using the Amsoil EA oil filters and WIX transmission filters. Not necessary, but the Amsoil dual remote By-Pass filter is even better.
3. After market transmission pan that can hold extra fluid is always recommended.
4. Aftermarket transmission coolers are more effective than the stock according to a Jeep Service Manager.
5. And of course, I can’t forget the value of the Shift Kit that prolongs the life of your transmission.

Heat, more heat, and extreme heat; it’s the grand recipe for rapid deterioration. :evil:

Heat is due to broke down oil (chemicals in the oil becoming unstable), dirty oil that causes wear, and extreme heat causing internal damage. Drop a note when you reach 200,000.…………………..maybe we can start a 200,000 mile club and provide billet badges to honor the mileage.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Sat Mar 17, 2007 6:05 am

dieselenthusiast wrote:

BoyNamedSue wrote:

Is the tranny cooler that comes with the Libby a good one, or should I upgrade to something better?
Any recommendations?
I was looking at this site and there were a number of options: http://www.autoanything.com/coolers/20A50680A1.aspx
I want to see if I can make it to 200,000 miles.

I noticed engine coolers are also available.
Are those recommended or not necessary?

I think you are making a smart move. :wink:

Especially if you are wanting to reach 200,000 miles running the factory motor and trany. The factory motor and transmission can easily reach the 200,000 mark and beyond if you do some basic upgrades.
1. High Quality Synthetic Oil, I recommend motor oil (Amsoil 0W-30) and transmission fluid (Amsoil ATF).
2. I recommend using the Amsoil EA oil filters and WIX transmission filters. Not necessary, but the Amsoil dual remote By-Pass filter is even better.
3. After market transmission pan that can hold extra fluid is always recommended.
4. Aftermarket transmission coolers are more effective than the stock according to a Jeep Service Manager.
5. And of course, I can’t forget the value of the Shift Kit that prolongs the life of your transmission.

Heat, more heat, and extreme heat; it’s the grand recipe for rapid deterioration. :evil:

Heat is due to broke down oil (chemicals in the oil becoming unstable), dirty oil that causes wear, and extreme heat causing internal damage. Drop a note when you reach 200,000.…………………..maybe we can start a 200,000 mile club and provide billet badges to honor the mileage.

What he said. PLMK if you need any help w/ the Amsoil goodies. :wink:

BoyNamedSue,
Will you be towing heavy loads often with your KJ?

BoyNamedSue · **Joined:** Mon Mar 12, 2007 3:32 pm **Posts:** 66

Quote:

BoyNamedSue,
Will you be towing heavy loads often with your KJ?

No towing for me.
I will be off road in high elevations on steep roads though.
I was thinking of getting a tranny cooler and maybe, if necessary, one of those clutch fans.
Not sure if the clutch fan is necessary though.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Sun Mar 18, 2007 11:17 am

A larger aftermarket cooler would help but I bet you would be fine if you just maintain the trans w/ some good fluid. Be sure to use 4Lo on those long uphill climbs to keep some of the load off the transmission, let the transfer case do most of the work.
There are so many people wheeling the crap out of their KJ's or towing w/ them and very few to no reports of transmission failures. Of course abusing/hard use on it for 200,000 miles might cause some problems.
I think the shift kit that people are now installing would be a good choice and I am going to have a friend of mine that is in the performance transmission business take a look at the kit and give me his professional opinion on what it actually mods in the valve body. I am sure I will be installing one in each of my KJs.

BoyNamedSue · **Joined:** Mon Mar 12, 2007 3:32 pm **Posts:** 66

JJsKJ wrote:

A larger aftermarket cooler would help but I bet you would be fine if you just maintain the trans w/ some good fluid. Be sure to use 4Lo on those long uphill climbs to keep some of the load off the transmission, let the transfer case do most of the work.
There are so many people wheeling the crap out of their KJ's or towing w/ them and very few to no reports of transmission failures. Of course abusing/hard use on it for 200,000 miles might cause some problems.
I think the shift kit that people are now installing would be a good choice and I am going to have a friend of mine that is in the performance transmission business take a look at the kit and give me his professional opinion on what it actually mods in the valve body. I am sure I will be installing one in each of my KJs.

Thanks for the advice. One thing I don't understand is what is meant when people say to

Quote:

use 4LO for long uphill climbs to take the load off the transmission

What happens when you don't use 4-LO? How does it hurt the transmission? I'm a rookie, so I don't fully understand how the transmission works or doesn't work.

Eddo · **Joined:** Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1214

BoyNamedSue wrote:

What happens when you don't use 4-LO? How does it hurt the transmission? I'm a rookie, so I don't fully understand how the transmission works or doesn't work.

Torque converter slips to generate more torque and generates lots of heat. 4-LO has a 2.72:1 gear reduction so the trans doesnt have to slip nearly as much.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Sun Mar 18, 2007 2:48 pm

Eddo wrote:

BoyNamedSue wrote:

What happens when you don't use 4-LO? How does it hurt the transmission? I'm a rookie, so I don't fully understand how the transmission works or doesn't work.

Torque converter slips to generate more torque and generates lots of heat. 4-LO has a 2.72:1 gear reduction so the trans doesnt have to slip nearly as much.

"As the trail progressed, we came to a very long, steep hill climb. Yes! This is what I was hoping for. The hill reminded me very much of 4x4 Hill in Clayton, OK. It's covered with rocks and you really don't want to break down anywhere along the way. Filled with glee, I put the Jeep in gear and started crawling. I was absolutely amazed! The Liberty moved upward at a slow and steady pace, never spinning a tire or hesitating! The motor's timing retarded and I could feel the torque doing its thing. The Jeep took on the trail like a real pro. At the top I got out and screamed "Yes!" with excitement. The Liberty has a real low range! It IS a Jeep!

After the hill we got to some nice flat rocky sections to test our Liberty on. The Liberty's low range would prove more than adequate. Not having to shift gears made easy work of guiding the Jeep over any obstacles in our way." Taken from http://www.rockcrawler.com/reviews/jeep ... /page4.asp

tjkoen01 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 20, 2007 7:51 am

I installed an engine oil cooler on my '89 RamCharger, I too thought the idea was cool. You could tell it made a huge difference in the oil. I was running 5k miles after I installed it (vs 3k before - same oil) and when changing the oil for the first time, the oil wasn't solid black like normal, it was actually a redish carmel color!!

Be forwarned, the extra hose and cooler may cause problems in the cold. One morning it was around zero degrees and it took 15 minutes at idle to warm the oil enough to build enough pressure for the idiot light to go out. Yes I did have a mechanical oil gage too, it was reading a big fat ZERO! I have see thermostat bypasses for oil coolers, it might be worth it if you really want to add the oil cooler.

FYI. I installed a combo cooler from Summit, tranny and engine oil with an oil filter re-location kit. Twice I had a factory crimped hose connection blow apart....once going 70 driving down I-64! I found out it only takes a couple seconds to pump out 6 qts of oil.

Tranny Coolers !

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