Can the Factor Transmission Cooler be Bypassed on a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0

Updated 02/09/2015 | Published 02/07/2015

Products Featured in This Question

Derale Series 8000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler Kit w/Barb Inlets - Class III - Efficient

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$93.94

Derale Series 9000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler Kit w/ NPT Inlets - Class V - Extra Efficient

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$114.40

Derale 16-Pass Electra-Cool Remote Transmission Cooler Kit w/ Fan, -6 AN Inlets - Class V

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$310.06

Bracket Kit for Derale High Performance Stacked-Plate Coolers

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$47.07

Derale 40-Row, High-Performance, Stacked-Plate Cooler with -6 AN Fittings - Class V

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$468.14

Question:

I have a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0 no towing package. It has the transmission cooling lines going to the radiator. I have a leak at the bulkhead fitting on the radiator and was looking to install a trans oil cooler in lieu of getting a new radiator. Can you recommend a cooler that will take the place of the factory radiator cooler?

asked by: Matt

Expert Reply:

The transmission coolers that we carry are designed as supplemental coolers and not to replace a factory cooler. You could bypass the factory cooler but you would need the largest cooler that will fit in the available space in the engine compartment or you would need a cooler that has its own electric fan.

For a large cooler or one that is very efficient I recommend # D54006 which is a stacked plate design (most efficient). It measures 13 inches wide by 13-11/16 inches tall by 2 inches deep. You would need a mount kit, # D50020. And I assume that if you are bypassing the factory cooler you would use the stock lines. If you do bypass the factory cooler then you will need to plug up the inlet/outlet on the radiator.

Or a less expensive option is an extra efficient plate-fin cooler, # D13614. It measures 11 inches wide, 11-3/8 inches tall, and 1-1/4 inches deep.

For a cooler than has its own fan the most popular option is # D13900. These coolers can be mounted somewhere other than in front of the radiator since they have their own fans and will provide optimum cooling no matter where they are placed. It is 15-3/4 inches wide, 11-1/2 inches tall, and 5 inches deep.