Installing a Transmission Cooler In Line with Factory Transmission Cooler on a 2006 Dodge Caravan

Updated 06/14/2010 | Published 06/11/2010

Question:

I have a 2006 dodge caravan sxt it comes stock with a tranny cooler. I would like to tow my boat with it and Im worried that the stock system is not enough cooling, so would I piggy back the cooler or take out the stock cooler and run the lines to aftermarket cooler? If I did piggy back the aftermarket cooler with the stock cooler would it have a affect on the the pump for my tranny?

asked by: Shane

Expert Reply:

When installing a transmission cooler, it is recommended to install the aftermarket transmission cooler in line with the factory cooler and not remove the factory cooler. In this case, you would have the factory system run to the Derale Transmission Cooler, # D13502, and then to the transmission. The pump would still work as it normally would, there would just be a little more fluid in the system.

There are essentially three places to mount a transmission cooler on your 2006 Dodge Caravan. The best place is between the grille and AC condenser core. The second best place is between the AC condenser and the radiator. The least efficient place is behind the radiator. If you must mount it in the last position, use a larger capacity cooler.

Transmission coolers come with the necessary hardware to mount them. They have these long plastic pins, kind of like wire ties, that will go through the unit, the AC condenser core, radiator, etc, and clamp on the other side with a little button. Spacers are placed between the unit and your vehicles components for protection. The system then plugs in line with your transmission system.

I have included a video showing installation of a transmission cooler and an FAQ article below.

expert reply by: Michael H