Im getting a trans cooler soon to bypass the factory one, and i need to know the size of the lines. I think they are 3/8 but im not sure. How exactly to i connect the new lines to the factory lines? Pics would help me a lot too, thanks
Trans Line Questions
B'sBlackDak
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Im getting a trans cooler soon to bypass the factory one, and i need to know the size of the lines. I think they are 3/8 but im not sure. How exactly to i connect the new lines to the factory lines? Pics would help me a lot too, thanks
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324 Posts
I was looking at this kit from summit, is there usually enough hose for both lines with these kits or am i going to have to buy more
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324 Posts
Just seems like it would be easier that way. Would it be better to use both of them?, which order would they be in?
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This is a good time for me to put in a trans temp gauge in the line as well, Where should this be?
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1,961 Posts
I along with others have bypassed the radiator and have no issues whatsoever. As a matter of fact, my tranny temp now stays at 160°. Down from 190° without an aftermarket cooler along with it running thru the radiator. These Dakotas run hot by nature and I firmly believe that it contributed to the tranny fluid running 190°. As you can see, I have the temp sensor directly inline per B&M's instructions. I'm using B&M's tranny temp kit. It comes with sensor, line manifold, wiring, etc. Summit has them for about $49. FYI, the little toggle switch you see on the gauge is so I can toggle back and forth from before/after tranny cooler. Yes, I have two sensors. I'm just anal about those things. Anyway, hope this helped. Good luck!
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Arent the dakota trans coolers separate from the radiator? Mine is its own little cooler and it does not go through the radiator. My bnuddy is a dodge trans guy and he said run the biggest cooler on it that you can fit behind the grille. he said a tranny can never be too cool
Rob
Rob
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3,871 Posts
i beleave that too, ive got an aftermarket cooler, thinks its around 25GMV? pls correct me if not, but itll be installed within the next couple of weeks or so before my motor goes in.
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I was looking at this one from summit, http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=SUM-G4962A Do you have to mount the trans sensor in the steel line or can i go up to the rubber hose and mount it there? Ive never cut into lines like that before and im not really sure what all id need to do.
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324 Posts
I looked at the B&M trans temp gauge that you can get with it and it looks like i wont have to flare the lines, they just slide it. Is this right or do i still have to flare the ends?
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1,961 Posts
No flareing needed. It uses compressing sleeves (included in the kit) to seal. You'll need to cut out approx 1 inch of tubing for the temp sensor manifold. Get you one of these mini tubing cutters (see pic). You can get one at any hardware store.
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Even with the factory trans cooler, the fluid still runs through the radiator as well. It's for driving in cold weather. You will damage your tranny by running it too cold, and it won't shift into OD until it reaches 50 degrees. If you have cold winters where you live, you will either need a thermal bypass set up, or continue to run the fluid through the radiator.
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324 Posts
I live in northern Illinois and the coldest i've seen was 10 below. I have the towing package with the auxiliary cooler, so if i run both of them would that be ok? If i do run both what order should they be in?
Personally, I'd hook it up to run through the tranny cooler first, and then the radiator on it's way back to the tranny. That way during the summer when it's hot out, the fluid gets cooled before hitting the radiator and increasing the chance of the motor running warm.
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6,587 Posts
if you did the install like i did, it would be wise to get another couple of feet of it. 3' more will suffice. i took my trans lines apart where they connect to, or just cut the connectors off using a pipe cutter, and then flare out the end so the hose wont slide off as easy.
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6,587 Posts
that defeats its purpose. the cooler you have the fluid, the better. no matter what you do, its still going to be warm enough for it to work right, unless your in alaska or something..lol
this also has no effect on the engine running warmer than it does. the trans cooler in the radiator has its own bladder or whater. it dont mix with the rest of the antifreeze.
btw, i bypass all my stock internal trans coolers, and run an seperate one. even did this to my first car too. the air moving in from the fan at all times, is suffucient to cool down the trans. like to get a trans cooler gauge mounted in my truck, just to see. i have the gauge, but no mount for it.
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6,587 Posts
cause the factory one sucks. and dont do much. it seems to me that these trcuks over time, are meant to blow up. they dont make things so they last.
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it can be. if its too cold, it wont shift into OD. only time i get that is when its absolutely frigid outside, but then again, it would happen either way. 160-185* is best IMO.
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