# What type of transmission cooler to use?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-type-of-transmission-cooler-to-use/33177>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** jeep\
**Created:** [July 10, 2009, 2:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-type-of-transmission-cooler-to-use/33177 "2009-07-10T14:17:34Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![davidellis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cdc98d/32.png) [@davidellis](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davidellis)\
**Post date:** [July 10, 2009, 2:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-type-of-transmission-cooler-to-use/33177/1 "2009-07-10T14:17:34Z")

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Hi again group!  
  
 I am looking at adding a transmission cooler to my car as I intend to start hauling a small boat with it. Now when I say small, I mean under 1000LBS. total boat + trailer. Anyway, I have seen three different types of coolers and wonder which would work best. The radiator type, the stacked plate type, or the one that looks like a cylinder with fins on it? I like the looks of the cylinder type, but I am not convinced that they do a good job of cooling. Has anyone tried these types of coolers? BTW, my car is a 1970 Jeep DJ5A with a GM 153 4 cylinder engine and a powerglide 2 speed automatic transmission.  
  
  
  
 Thanks in advance for any advice.

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**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\
**Post date:** [July 10, 2009, 3:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-type-of-transmission-cooler-to-use/33177/2 "2009-07-10T15:25:13Z")

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I’ve used the radiator type on 4 different cars sucessfully. Have never had a towing related transmission problem in the last 35 years. They are easy to install and cheap to buy. If you can’t do it yourself a garage will do it for little money, it take 30 minutes maximum.

I can’t comment on the other types; the rad type is the most popular.

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**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\
**Post date:** [July 10, 2009, 3:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-type-of-transmission-cooler-to-use/33177/3 "2009-07-10T15:41:34Z")

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I recommend the radiator type.

I have never installed one, but both of the automatic transmission cars I used for towing had them installed as standard equipment. I have seen them installed on TV and it doesn’t look that difficult.