Got a question for you guys. Finally after 102k miles my radiator is leaking. I have a 02' that has the trans cooler built into the radiator. My plan is to get a 5spd radiator since it's cheaper $166.25 compared to $215 for the auto trans radiator from wyckoff chrysler. Then get an aftermarket trans cooler. Anyone with an 02' put in an after market trans cooler? If so what kind did you get? I figure about $40 for a trans cooler kit so pricing will come out to be the same but an after market cooler should do a better job than the factory one built into the radiator. Any thoughts?

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02' Sport- SOLD

07' Dodge Ram Quad Cab 1500 4x4
Yeah it's got a hemi!

WHY?

You'll do better getting the correct radiator then adding a AUX tranny cooler.That way when it is cold out the in-radiator cooler will get the ATF up to temp faster and help regulate the temp which a seperate cooler will not.I got a Hayden AUX tranny cooler from AdvanceAutoParts for $30 and is for a 28,000lbs RV.

Contact Dirk at DPG offroad and ask about the CSF radiators,they make replacements for the KJ.I just replaced mine with one of them,just like the OEM one and has a warrenty and was way cheaper then what you have priced.

I too would look into buying the exact replacement. Why fuss with the aux cooler when after all those miles, your trans isn't hurting for more cooling? I do like the idea of added cooling, but the in-radiator cooler is a great cooler.

The one thing I have been looking for (in Metro Detroit) is a radiator shop that can custom make an ALL METAL radiator for my KJ. I just hate the fact that one day, I too will develop the notorious coolant leak... So I've been looking around but not too seriously yet.

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02 Liberty Limited
Silver Outside & Taupe Inside
Heated Seats, Sunroof & Infinity speakers
USA Spec I-Pod adaptor, Mopar Sub, Garmin GPS
Tow Package, Select-Trac
Rock Rails, Tow Hooks

I see what your saying, youre running the hayden in line with the factory radiator/cooler correct? Do you have a temp guage for the trans? Have you noticed any cooler temps after the install of the hayden. I'm gonna look into the dpg one. Thanks for the info. My main reason to come up with this idea was to save some $$$ and eliminate the trans cooler radiator combo. I just dont like the fact that the part can go bad and trans fluid can leak into the cooling system and vice versa. I know slim chance but it can happen. How much was your radiator from dpg?




True but my trans has 102k on it. I want it to last as long as possible and heat is the number 1 killer of transmissions. I guess the factory cooler is fine if it lasted this long.

Sorry i get bored sometimes and like to modify and re-engineer things.

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02' Sport- SOLD

07' Dodge Ram Quad Cab 1500 4x4
Yeah it's got a hemi!

I don't have a tranny temp gauge,I installed the AUX tranny cooler about after about a month of ownership.I have never overheated the tranny once and I have pulled over 4000lbs in 2 seperate trips through the mountains(SD to WA,WA to CO) and I do not have the HD cooling package.I know alot of fellow KJ'ers with the 42RLE tranny with just the AUX cooler(not in the raditor) and HD cooling that there trans light comes on often when 4 wheeling(well on the road getting to the trail).The cooler in the raditor like I stated helps regulate the tranny fluid temp better then the other coolers seperately,then by adding the AUX cooler to the return line will help cool the fluid even more before it gets back to the tranny.

Yes the internal cooler in the raditor can leak,though it was more prone to happening in all metal raditors due to corrsion.Not a common thing with the plastic tank raditors.

Might need to call DPG(Dirk) to get a price since I ordered mine with abunch of other stuff so I may have gotten a discount.

Gotta ask yourself this.... Is it worth the $50 if your tranny dies?
Ive learned that the little extra is ALWAYS worth it in the long run on every car I have ever had...the hard way. LOL

Just do it right. The Jeep engineers arnt stupid, there are two diff radiators for a reason... I get aggravated reading about people doing things like changing the T-Stat for a cooler one...pure BS I think.

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Pre-Lowered 02 Liberty
2.5" Rustys Coil w/ Ranchos in the rear.
ARB, OME927's, 1/4 strut plate and Als Gen 4.5 Uppers in the front.
Flowmaster Super 40 Series (GONE, SO QUIET!)
245/75/16 Kumho KL-78 w/ Spidertraxxxxx
Ripped out the plastic inner wheel liners
Herculined ALLLL over.....

Sweet! thanks. Yeah i never had my trans temp light come on either. I have seen my autometer trans temp gauge hit 230 degrees before in stop and go traffic. I do have the sensor hooked up coming out of the hot line from the trans. though so that is not the actual temp after the fluid is being cooled. DPG is closed for the day so i shot them an email.

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02' Sport- SOLD

07' Dodge Ram Quad Cab 1500 4x4
Yeah it's got a hemi!