Recommendation For Transmission Cooler On A 1995 Nissan Parthfinder 4X4

Question:

1995 Nissan pathfinder auto trans, 4x4. What specific cooler do you recommend for this vehicle? There is a brace in the front center area of the evaporator that prohibits a center mount cooler. I have an area approx 2 deep x 16 tall x 12 wide on each side of the center brace. Thanks

asked by: Jeff D

Expert Reply:

To determine what kind of transmission cooler you will need depends on how much weight you will be towing and where you will be towing.

If you will be towing a light load, less than 2,000 pounds, in flat driving conditions, your 1995 Nissan Pathfinder 4x4 will do fine with a Class I rated cooler. If you will be towing more than a 2,000 pound load through some hills, I would use a Class II or Class III cooler.

I would recommend the Derale Series 8000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler, part # D13502, if you will be towing light loads or even medium loads in flat areas. It is rated as a Class II (up to 3,500 lbs.) and measures 11 inches wide x 7-1/4 inches tall x 7/8 inches deep.

If you will be pulling medium loads or heavy loads primarily, I would use the Derale Series 8000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler, # D13503. This cooler is a Class III (up to 6,000 lbs.) and measures 11 inches x 8-3/4 inches tall x 7/8 inches deep.

The Derale Dyno-Cool Tube-Fin Transmission Cooler, part # D12906, will also work for your Pathfinder, but it is a tube and fin design which is not as efficient as the plate and fin design that I have recommended. The tube and fin design is also larger in physical size compared to the plate and fin design.

I am including a link to a FAQ page with some good information on transmission coolers.

expert reply by: Jeff D