Before towing with my grand Cherokee, I had the best rated aux tranny cooler installed for my rig, works great, however I'm not overly confident with the stock radiator even though it's only 2 years old. Any suggestions for radiator upgrades?

 

What year and what engine?

 

2003 Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0L

 

And what are you trying to tow and its weight?

 

Sell it and get an xj. Just kidding. I think as long as you're cooling fine while driving regular, you should be OK.

 

Towing a 20' Airstream Bambi, pulls like a dream on most grades, although, hills like the Grapevine are a bit rough, so I take it easy going up to keep engine temp stable. I have found that some modest enhancements have paid good dividends for towing, new tow rig not an option at this time, a radiator upgrade I can afford, looking for best option.

 

Don't forget keeping the transmission cool.


There are auxiliary transmission coolers, deeper transmission pans and deeper pans w/ cooling, that will all aid in that requirement.

 

I did install a heavy duty trans cooler, and it works great, I like the cooling pan idea, will definitely look into this type of cooling assist.

 

This web page is poorly designed, but they have everything you could want / need for the transmission.

Scroll past the large gap in the middle and they have the #8-44 cast aluminum pan that will fit your 42RE transmission.

 

My 04 "Overland Edition" with a 4.7HO motor came with the towing package and that includes a 3.73 gear with the other towing items included. I tow with mine often and have no problems with the stock radiator in it ever over heating. Dave has the 4.0 in his 00 GC he can answer better than I on that radiator.


If yours doesn't have this you should consider them.

 

I've sort of looked half-heartedly for a HD radiator for my 4.0 and haven't found one. There doesn't seem to be room for a thicker one anyway. Nobody makes a brass one either so we're stuck with aluminum and plastic tanks. I'm sure if you wanted to spend some coin, you could get a custom one made, but I'm not that rich.

My '87 Chevy truck had a 3" core brass one from a diesel and that thing was super.

 

Towing my coach up the Grapevine was my epiphany, calculated gearing and swapped 3.55 to 3.73 , now on a cooling quest like a mad scientist, thanks for the good advice folks, will let you know what I turn up. It's like the guy that fell off the Empire State Bldg, businessman at his office window half way down heard him say; "So far So good"!