power steering cooler? (2 Viewers)

[DiscoveredLC]

Since mine was smashed in the accident, I need to find a new one. I'm going to check out PNP on tuesday for one from a minivan, (or something similar) but I was wondering if anyone had a particular vehicle to look for?

A small tranny cooler would be great, but I may just have to explore... Search results didn't yield much.

 

[spressomon]

Where in the hell were you searching?!

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/20738-power-steering-cooler-upgrade.html

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/343463-power-steering-cooler-install.html

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/148241-steering-cooler-install.html

 

[alia176]

Where in the hell were you searching?!

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/20738-power-steering-cooler-upgrade.html

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/343463-power-steering-cooler-install.html

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/148241-steering-cooler-install.html

Yeah, no crap. His searching skills need to be honed

The aftermarket PS cooler does the job quite well I have to say. I have a smaller size unit that lowers the temp by 25 deg (from stock) vs a larger auto transmission cooler unit, lowered it by 35 deg (from stock). I compared three 80's on a trail run in UT couple of years back. The stock one is sort of a joke when you go with larger tires and slow trial work.

 

[spressomon]

Have you noticed longer life span of the power steering fluid with the cooler? Do you have an in-line filter on your PS fluid circuit?

 

[alia176]

Have you noticed longer life span of the power steering fluid with the cooler? Do you have an in-line filter on your PS fluid circuit?

I don't have an in-line filter or anything but while I was installing the PS cooler, I re-plumbed the PS hoses and added two valves so that swapping out fluid is much easier. I'm hoping that by swapping the old fluid out frequently, the PS fluid will last much longer.

 

[spressomon]

I don't have an in-line filter or anything but while I was installing the PS cooler, I re-plumbed the PS hoses and added two valves so that swapping out fluid is much easier. I'm hoping that by swapping the old fluid out frequently, the PS fluid will last much longer.

Care to elaborate on the valves you added? Sounds like a plan for mine...not much volume so the ATF cost is nil...but shortcutting the labor time would be attractive given its twice per year for me too.

Thanks in advance

 

[alia176]

Care to elaborate on the valves you added? Sounds like a plan for mine...not much volume so the ATF cost is nil...but shortcutting the labor time would be attractive given its twice per year for me too.

Thanks in advance

It's a simple system. I installed two valves on the return line that brings PS fluid back to the res. When it comes time for fluid exchange, one valve is opened, the other one is closed while the engine is running. You can partially open either valves to control the rate of fluid expel.

I usually run one full quart of ATF through the system when I do the fluid swap. Usually takes about two mins. Caution: don't run out of fluid in the res while doing this!

The drain hose is pointed downward and a catch container of some sort is placed before the start of the procedure. After I'm done, I'll just coil up the hose and tie it to the frame or something similar.

See, told you it was stupid simple

 

[DiscoveredLC]

Where in the hell were you searching?!

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/20738-power-steering-cooler-upgrade.html

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/343463-power-steering-cooler-install.html

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/148241-steering-cooler-install.html

Yeah, no crap. His searching skills need to be honed

The aftermarket PS cooler does the job quite well I have to say. I have a smaller size unit that lowers the temp by 25 deg (from stock) vs a larger auto transmission cooler unit, lowered it by 35 deg (from stock). I compared three 80's on a trail run in UT couple of years back. The stock one is sort of a joke when you go with larger tires and slow trial work.

I found a few of those threads, but not one that I liked... haha

I went to PNP and browsed around for a bit. Left with a unit from a late 90's suburban (I'm not sure on the year) and it looks like it will work perfect. Every fin is untouched and straight! I tried to find another truck with one, but that was the only one...

I'll post a pic when its mounted!

 

[WILLD420]

Holy cow, you guys actually change your p/s fluid?

I'm pretty sure mine is still the oem fill from 1992. If I flush it out, I'm sure everything will fall apart..

 

[alia176]

I found a few of those threads, but not one that I liked... haha

I went to PNP and browsed around for a bit. Left with a unit from a late 90's suburban (I'm not sure on the year) and it looks like it will work perfect. Every fin is untouched and straight! I tried to find another truck with one, but that was the only one...

I'll post a pic when its mounted!

Nice find dude. I often wonder if one could install a cooler too large so that the PS fluid may not get up to the operating temp in the extreme winter temps.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Nice find dude. I often wonder if one could install a cooler too large so that the PS fluid may not get up to the operating temp in the extreme winter temps.

It looks like you have the skills to plumb a bypass.

Found this

Blended to resist thinning at
high temperatures, it usually
contains a pour point
depressant to maintain flow at
temperatures as low as -20° F.

The full article is an interesting read
http://www.gates.com/common/downloads/files/Gates/autoEducation/428-7172.pdf

 

[alia176]

Matt,

While you're in there (famous phrase on this board), I'd replace the PS hose with a 90deg bend in it. Supposedly, this can go out after turning rock hard from old age and that means big trouble on the trail. It's a metric hose and using a 3/8" hose does work (with a lot of work) but you can't replicate the 90 bend very easily. Search for the "previa PS hose" in the 80 section for more info. It's a cheap insurance.

 

[DiscoveredLC]

Thanks for the tip Ali. I hope to have this thing back together this week when I'm off...


Oh how much I miss my truck!

 

[rusty_tlc]

Thanks for the tip Ali. I hope to have this thing back together this week when I'm off...


Oh how much I miss my truck!

If you take the old hose down to Hose & ,Etc. across from Baldinis I bet they can make you a new one.

 

[DiscoveredLC]

If you take the old hose down to Hose & ,Etc. across from Baldinis I bet they can make you a new one.

Thats a good idea, Dan. I had them make a few hoses for the Rover and they do good work.

 

[DiscoveredLC]

Here's the cooler....

I'm thinking about mounting it to the left of the tranny cooler in that open space. I know you can mount an aux fan there, but i havent tackled that mod yet. I'll think of another place to relocate it when I instal the fan someday.

 

[alia176]

Ooooh, I'm not too crazy about the size or the location. You're cutting off vital air to the A/C condenser and we need all the air we can get for cooler A/C.

 

[DiscoveredLC]

Ooooh, I'm not too crazy about the size or the location. You're cutting off vital air to the A/C condenser and we need all the air we can get for cooler A/C.

yeah i thought about that... Honestly, I used the AC in the Rover maybe 3 times in the 8 years I owned it. I actually thought about just getting rid of all the parts while I was in there since I never use the AC.

 

[DiscoveredLC]

I can't think of a different place to put it...? Maybe under the tranny cooler at an angle. It all depends on where the valance and grill go though...

 

[alia176]

yeah i thought about that... Honestly, I used the AC in the Rover maybe 3 times in the 8 years I owned it. I actually thought about just getting rid of all the parts while I was in there since I never use the AC.

Well, this ain't a Rover so you'll have decent power while using the A/C In a dusty convoy situation the A/C will be used on recirc mode quite frequently- at least that's the case with me anyway.

If you had a smaller, narrower cooler, it can easily be placed in front of the trans cooler. That's a popular place for it from what I've seen.