I am thinking about installing an aftermarket transmission cooler in my tow vehicle (TV). My truck a 2007 Dodge Dakota with an OEM tow package which includes a tranny cooler. It is buried some were between the radiator and the AC condenser, and out of sight without doing a lot of demo work. My thought is to plumb it so the fluid goes to the OEM cooler then to the aftermarket cooler mounted in front of condenser and back to the tranny. I am pretty sure the OEM cooler is mounted down low. I am wonder if I would be better off mounting it up high to minimize air flow restrictions. But would mounting it up high restrict fluid flow?
Any tips?
As a former Dodge tech and parts guy, I wouldn't do it. Your vehicle as you stated is already equipped with the tow package which is quite adequate. If it wasn't equipped so, then I would say yes. The only other thing I might say maybe to is if you have many many steep hills around and your trailer is heavy---but honestly, if your trailer is that heavy, you have the wrong tow vehicle.
We are thinking of heading to the mountains this next summer. I figure the trailer weight will be around 5K lbs. Well within specs of the truck.
A trip or two to the mountians isn't going to kill anything, If you need to, slow down and use a lower gear. I have pulled heavier 5 1/2 lbs loads with my 96 Dakota. Its not something I do or would do all the time by any means, but I have done it. My trailer and T combined are about 3700-3800lbs--well within the accepted range
Also, alot of the lines used are a quick disconnet style and most aftermarket coolers are not. So getting lines and adapters could be more of a hassle.