I would like to buy an aftermarket tranny cooler but how do you plumb it and any brand that is highly recommended?

 

B&M is well known for quality coolers and can be found at Jegs or Summit. I've installed the #70264 cooler on numerous vehicles (including the XJ) with great success. I plumb the cooler into the return line, the one that returns fluid back to the tranny.

 

I've always used B&M (ok, so the one time I installed one), but honestly I think they are pretty hard to screw up. I'd probably avoid a no-name ebay unit, though. B&Ms aren't that expensive, either.

 

A tranny cooler is in my future too. Have you done any winter driving since the install on the XJ? Does the tranny shift well when its cold with it installed on the return line? I guess some people have conflicting opinions about which line to tap. Thanks.

 

If it concerns you, you could always put a Thermostatic Valve on it.

 

On the XJ, no, just did the cooler install this past June along with a tranny pan drop, new filter, new pan gasket and fresh fluid prior to that. As I posted, I've installed this model cooler on numerous other vehicles with great success, never have had any shifting issues winter or summer.

It doesn't take very long for warm engine coolant to start flowing thru the radiator, even in winter. The t-stat does not seal water tight, so some engine coolant is flowing (the moment the engine starts) by/over the factory internal cooler thus starting the tranny fluid warming process rather quickly.

 

That thermostatic valve is a nifty little thing but it costs as much as the cooler!

 

........more chances for a leak too.

 

Setrab is a good quality mfg.

 

I get my trans coolers for no more then $10. I go to a junk yard fine a big old suburban or something similar. take it home flush it brake clean as best I can let it dry for a few days and put it in. I have dune this on 3 xjs and a bunch of other cars and trucks. Its always worked perfect. I have never messed up a trans. The coolers in my 99 and 95 xjs are half the size of my rads. U can call me cheep but ill call u wasteful.

 

Just take all the money u were going to blow on that cooler and put it towards an MSD coil. Thank me later.

 

^ good point, there are a lot of OEM applications to borrow from. Plus a quality cooler core alone can cost over $100

 

That's a plan right there.

 

Yikes! Sloppy seconds. Some things aren't worth cheaping out on.....a JY tranny cooler is one of them, IMHO. Are the tubes internally caked up with crud and 1/2 the diameter of a new $60 cooler? Who knows?

 

I would have to disagree. Its the same thing as any other used part. As long as u have enuf commien sense to inspect any used part the risk is vary slim to none. For example I would rather buy used parts when ever possible. Axles, rear brake conversions, stroker motors parts, body panels. The list is endless. I'm a huge fan of used parts always have been and always will be. I do as much as I can for as little as I can. If u prefer to put ur money on ur roof in an open briefcase and drive around town. Than good for u.