jessenator

I've been looking at an ATF rad for my build and notice not many for sale now share the same appearance as the UpCountry/Police package oil cooler.

Since my build wasn't originally UpCountry, and will therefore be more of a bastard/modified build, I have a quasi-serious desire just to build this back up to the UpCountry spec, in form and function. SO if possible I'd like to have an OE-looking oil cooler. Finding a MOPAR one is right up there with the lottery in terms of chances, so…

1) Did the design just suck? i.e are the current, more-to-square-looking coolers work better than the OE long and low types?

This question is ancillary to my next question.

2) Aside from what claims to be a "new OEM" oil cooler, there's a comparatively expensive Dorman one. And I found this very suspicious "brand" of part. Anyone ever have experience with Replace brand parts? Sounds like it's a Chinesium brand, but figured I'd ask anyway.


I'm leaning heavy on the cosmetic-true-to-form side of my build—making it look more stock, but if it's just a bad design and modern coolers are better function, I can change my mind for utility.

(I thought about posting to the EO topic section, but it's also post-market modifying, so I flipped a coin… hopefully not too many feathers get ruffled. :P )

Tbone289

Stacked-plate aftermarket coolers are about 30% more efficient at exchanging heat than the tube-and-fin types you show in your pictures above. So, in function, you could say that the OEM design does "suck" in that respect. However, you probably won't be able to find a stacked-plate design in the OEM form factor.

Considering that, I would suggest you lean more toward function over form for a functional part such as this. It hardly will be seen anyway. This one below is the one I use, and I'm very happy with it. Installed vertically, it can only be seen through one of the slots in the grill: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000C3F3SO/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

jessenator

Thanks for the reply, TBone289!

I wondered, since so many designs (all but one on RockAuto) are the plate-and-fin. Glad that's cleared up.

Tbone289

You're welcome. Another thing... I don't recommend you use the "zip ties" that these coolers come with for mounting. There's too much chance of damaging your A/C condenser or radiator in the long term. I used some cheap L-brackets from the hardware store and attached it to the bottom radiator core support in front of the mechanical fan.

Here is a pic of what it looks like installed (try to ignore the bugs ;-) You can see the cooler in the third slot from the left. If you'd like to see how it's mounted, I can pull the grill for you and take pics of that as well.

jessenator

Yeah, that'd be great, if it's not too much trouble.

I don't like the idea of those weird zip tie mounts either.

Tbone289

OK. Not a problem. The rest of the week is busy, but I can probably pull it off and take some pics of it Sunday evening for you.

jessenator

sweet! thanks

kstopp

I just installed a transmission cooler on my XJ. I used some aluminum brackets to mount it, securing it to the front crossmember. The brackets were scrap from some framing, so they had reinforcing ribs. I had to put a slight bend in them so the cooler was angled correctly in respect to the A/C condenser.

Hayden 698 Cooler

Tbone289

kstopp, did you plumb yours before the radiator? Looks like you have it connected to the line from trans > radiator (the lower line on the rad).

kstopp

I had a factory oil cooler previously, so I just connected up to the lines that ran to it. It's plumbed after the radiator loop.

TRCM

If you are handy with fittings and brackets, you can get what ya need from a junkyard.

I got a stacked plate cooler about the same size but thicker (2 1/2" or so) than the one linked to above from a car in the junkyard. Ya just have be able to see if you can use it.

The one on the drivers side in this pic & inside the yellow circle is the one I am talking about....came with banjo type connections too.....it may have been an oil cooler off an import turbo car.....don't remember.

I got it to use as a power steering cooler for use with hydro assist. (

andrewmp6

It probably was a turbo car most of them run a oil cooler since the turbo has oil running through it.

Tbone289

OK. A little late, but my pics as promised...

I used steel mending plates bent at 90 degrees to mount to the radiator support and cooler with stainless hardware:







A third mounting point was added through the grill backing support. The hole was slightly widened with a dremel to accept the bolt head. The length of the bolt can be adjusted to fine-tune the angle of the cooler. The tighter it fits to the condenser/radiator, the more effective the fan will be at pulling air through it:







Here is the splice into the transmission return line. It's a simple connection if you just cut the soft line and splice in with 3/8" brass barb splice connectors. The line from the radiator should go into the bottom port of the cooler, then the top port returns back to the transmission:

TRCM

I have used those type 'mending plates before as well, but just be careful, as in the 2nd pic, it looks like the end of the plate is close to the radiator.

If the bolt comes loose, that end could easily puncture the radiator, which is why I always cut the ends down as much as possible so the bolt was AT the end.

Tbone289

Thanks for the concern. It's all farther away from the condenser than it looks in the pics. The end of that plate is about 1/2” away and the bolts have lock washers and thread locker as well. If I ever have a need to pull it apart again I will trim them down, but it is something the OP should keep in mind.