Later model power steering cooler retrofit on an LA

[DionR]

I wanted to dial back the pressure on my PS pump and figured if I was going to drop the fluid I might as well add a cooler since the one I had didn't fit with my pressure line.

So I thought I would cruise the JY just to see if there was anything available before dropping money on something aftermarket and found this:

It fits Dakota's and Durango's from 2000-2004 with a 4.7. You can still buy them new (link), but not sure it is worth it since they cost more than the one Bergman Auto Craft sells (link).

But from the JY it was cheap. So I brought it home, mocked it up and had a bracket cut, bent and powder coated by SendCutSend.

Here it is mocked up with a 3D printed bracket:

Bracket:

And installed:

All in I am maybe a touch cheaper than the BAC one, and that one would probably cool better. But I like this option as it keeps it more compact without hoses and a cooler out front, and it's more like how the factory might have done it. The cooler I was going to originally use when I did the Borgeson box install was similar, but smaller, and off a Diplomat Police car. Since this one is a touch bigger it should cool better, in theory.

If this was a little more of a roadrace or autocross build, I don't think I would do it this way. But for this car I think it is a fine solution.

Pretty happy with it.

 

[dano]

Here it is mocked up with a 3D printed bracket:

Very cool. What material did you use for the bracket? I've used ABS but not on anything that close to heat.

 

[DionR]

Very cool. What material did you use for the bracket? I've used ABS but not on anything that close to heat.

The finished part from SendCutSend is 14 gauge sheetmetal.

The mockup 3D printed part is just PLA. I wasn't concerned about strength as long as it would hold the part in position to verify my measurements were right, which they weren't the first time. So glad I didn't wait a week for the part and find out I was off here and there. Tweaked the model, printed a second one and then sent it off for laser cutting.

 

[dano]

The finished part from SendCutSend is 14 gauge sheetmetal.

The mockup 3D printed part is just PLA. I wasn't concerned about strength as long as it would hold the part in position to verify my measurements were right, which they weren't the first time. So glad I didn't wait a week for the part and find out I was off here and there. Tweaked the model, printed a second one and then sent it off for laser cutting.

If I may ask what did that cost? I had some quotes from a few rapid proto houses (water jet .188" wall for my TKO crossmember, no bends, not tight tolerances) and it was in the $400-$800 range even if scheduled out a month. A local supplier was $88 picked up a week later. I've used several of those places at work (ProtoLab, Xometry) but that not my dime or schedule with good results.

 

[Professor Fate]

Coincidentally, I used the same cooler; except i mounted it from one of the battery tray braces.
The issue I found was that when the cooler is mounted higher than the pump reservoir, when not running it tends to backdrain into the reservoir, overfill it, and leave a nice mess on the floor of the garage. After pulling my hair out for a bit, I relocated it lower in relation to the pump and the leak disappeared.
Just my experience.

 

[DionR]

If I may ask what did that cost? I had some quotes from a few rapid proto houses (water jet .188" wall for my TKO crossmember, no bends, not tight tolerances) and it was in the $400-$800 range even if scheduled out a month. A local supplier was $88 picked up a week later. I've used several of those places at work (ProtoLab, Xometry) but that not my dime or schedule with good results.

This bracket was $28, plus $3 for tax and $5 for shipping. Took just over a week to get it and included laser cutting, bending and powder coating. I thought about having them add threaded fasteners but didn't for a couple of reasons.

But my T56 crossmember was more like $280 before a discount I got from StanceWorks.

 

[DionR]

Coincidentally, I used the same cooler; except i mounted it from one of the battery tray braces.

I had initially planned to mount this one somewhere on the inner fender close to where the battery had been but couldn't make it work in a way I liked. When I tried this location and realized the fan would blow air across it, and the lines were kind of bent like it was made for it, I put it there.

The issue I found was that when the cooler is mounted higher than the pump reservoir, when not running it tends to backdrain into the reservoir, overfill it, and leave a nice mess on the floor of the garage. After pulling my hair out for a bit, I relocated it lower in relation to the pump and the leak disappeared.

I will watch for that. I wonder if the factory planned for that, seems like both the original application and the Diplomat cooler I have were probably below the fluid level in the reservoir as well.

Not sure what I would do if I have to relocate it due to it draining back. Time will tell.

Thanks!

 

[A56]

Coincidentally, I used the same cooler; except i mounted it from one of the battery tray braces.
The issue I found was that when the cooler is mounted higher than the pump reservoir, when not running it tends to backdrain into the reservoir, overfill it, and leave a nice mess on the floor of the garage. After pulling my hair out for a bit, I relocated it lower in relation to the pump and the leak disappeared.
Just my experience.

If you look at a members '69 Formula S posted on another thread, you'll see what appears to be a rare factory p/s cooler mounted above the reservoir.

 

[DionR]

If you look at a members '69 Formula S posted on another thread, you'll see what appears to be a rare factory p/s cooler mounted above the reservoir.

Found it - link. Is that factory?

 

[Professor Fate]

If you look at a members '69 Formula S posted on another thread, you'll see what appears to be a rare factory p/s cooler mounted above the reservoir.

Like I said, just my experience.
If it doesn't spill for you, great- but something to be aware of if you do run into issues.

 

[Professor Fate]

Found it - link. Is that factory?

Looks like a high-mount pump and bracket; looks like the cooler is still level or slightly lower than the pump filler.

 

[A56]

Like I said, just my experience.
If it doesn't spill for you, great- but something to be aware of if you do run into issues.

Just another point of view.

 

[A56]

Looks like a high-mount pump and bracket; looks like the cooler is still level or slightly lower than the pump filler.

ok you win.

 

[Professor Fate]

ok you win.

??
Didn't know it was a contest.
Just trying to pass on a potential problem that I experienced.

 

[A56]

??
Didn't know it was a contest.
Just trying to pass on a potential problem that I experienced.

Exactly

 

[TT5.9mag]

This bracket was $28, plus $3 for tax and $5 for shipping. Took just over a week to get it and included laser cutting, bending and powder coating. I thought about having them add threaded fasteners but didn't for a couple of reasons.

But my T56 crossmember was more like $280 before a discount I got from StanceWorks.

Do you have a file for that I can just send to sendcutsend? I’ll buy the file from you.

 

[DionR]

Do you have a file for that I can just send to sendcutsend? I’ll buy the file from you.

I would rather ship you one direct from SendCutSend, but let's discuss in a PM.

 

[Syleng1]

 

[Kern Dog]

All the Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth minivans that I have seen have some sort of inline cooler mounted near the crossmember.
They are still in the junkyards and can be bought CHEAP.