Cooling options for towing?

[MrZappo]

Check out this video. Pay attention to when they tow up a hill and the coolant temp and near the end when he talks more about it.

As I noticed in that VID, the coolant temp got up to 221 on a hill climb at near max capacity ... And transmission was fine.

If I had to venture a guess, id say that the high speed fans for the radiator probably didn't even kick in. Id also guess that they were going slower on the uphill than when on level ground so likely less airflow.

On these Jeeps (equipper with tow package) part of the upgrade is a big alternator AND a much higher capacity fan. At least for the Gas motor that is true. Id have to expect that the Diesel also has the large fan ...

When that fan kicks in it draws much more air through that radiator and would cool things down fast. But if its not on, the vehicle is just using the airflow of driving to push air through the radiator.

I would be very interested to know if that fan had turned on in this clip ... Id bet that it never got to the temp where the computer would call on the fan and the additional heat was well within spec for that weight at that speed/weight/incline/outside air temp.

Todays engines tend to run hotter for a variety of reasons ...

In any event, I wouldn't give that temp a second thought unless the fan came on AND THEN the temp did not drop down or continued to rise ...

As soon as they got to level ground, the temp came right down ... Seems like a perfectly normal chain of events ...

Sponsored

 

[Pizziola29]

As I noticed in that VID, the coolant temp got up to 221 on a hill climb at near max capacity ... And transmission was fine.

If I had to venture a guess, id say that the high speed fans for the radiator probably didn't even kick in. Id also guess that they were going slower on the uphill than when on level ground so likely less airflow.

On these Jeeps (equipper with tow package) part of the upgrade is a big alternator AND a much higher capacity fan. At least for the Gas motor that is true. Id have to expect that the Diesel also has the large fan ...

When that fan kicks in it draws much more air through that radiator and would cool things down fast. But if its not on, the vehicle is just using the airflow of driving to push air through the radiator.

I would be very interested to know if that fan had turned on in this clip ... Id bet that it never got to the temp where the computer would call on the fan and the additional heat was well within spec for that weight at that speed/weight/incline/outside air temp.

Todays engines tend to run hotter for a variety of reasons ...

In any event, I wouldn't give that temp a second thought unless the fan came on AND THEN the temp did not drop down or continued to rise ...

As soon as they got to level ground, the temp came right down ... Seems like a perfectly normal chain of events ...

I would agree with you.

 

[kclendaniel]

My experience towing at max capacity at 70 mph over a pass in VA was I noticed the temp start to rise a little bit (don't remember the exact number it peaked out at but enough to know it moved) but as soon as I hit the top and leveled out the temp dropped like a rock back down to the normal reading. I am sure a much longer grade would have more impact, as would the temps (it was 75 out) but that engine does get hot pushing 12k up a grade. Maybe cooling mods wou;d help, I don't know, but if it was something easy like bigger vents in the hood FCA would have done it.

 

[jc99]

I went to a heat extraction hood and I can tell you the heat blows out the sides and tops of the vents a few weeks ago about 7K in the mountains with a 3k trailer. Temp was about 85 degrees. Will need to see when it gets above 95.

@Gladman Which hood?

 

[suzuguy69]

Hi All,

Have the overland model -diesel, with the towing package.
In 3-4 months we plan on towing our 4.5k lb trailer on some long distance trips.

I am sure when temps are moderate we will be fine, but have no idea if the cooling system will handle mid summer (over 95°F) so looking at different ways to handle that heat.
Figured I would post my thoughts and see what others have had success with...

Restricted airflow is a reason I see they lowered the tow rating so I'm confused as to why no factory mods are out there to help out. The overland hood has no convent place to put vents - even if I did install top vents they would be rear facing as I am sure forcing air down would only defeat the factory air flow. .

Saw a post by "sourdough" on the wrangler forum where he lifted the back of the hood - I don't know - looks a bit odd but I'll bet it removes a lot of heat.

Would like to do some simple mods before I go adding additional water/engine/trani coolers.
Maybe even wrap the exhaust a bit better?
Any ideas would be appreciated.







an induction hood with a rear facing opening

Hi All,

Have the overland model -diesel, with the towing package.
In 3-4 months we plan on towing our 4.5k lb trailer on some long distance trips.

I am sure when temps are moderate we will be fine, but have no idea if the cooling system will handle mid summer (over 95°F) so looking at different ways to handle that heat.
Figured I would post my thoughts and see what others have had success with...

Restricted airflow is a reason I see they lowered the tow rating so I'm confused as to why no factory mods are out there to help out. The overland hood has no convent place to put vents - even if I did install top vents they would be rear facing as I am sure forcing air down would only defeat the factory air flow. .

Saw a post by "sourdough" on the wrangler forum where he lifted the back of the hood - I don't know - looks a bit odd but I'll bet it removes a lot of heat.

Would like to do some simple mods before I go adding additional water/engine/trani coolers.
Maybe even wrap the exhaust a bit better?
Any ideas would be appreciated.







an induction hood with a rear facing opening

I have a ‘21 gladiator Ecodiesel and this is my build list I’m currently working on to assist in these matters:
PPE high capacity trans pan #228153020
Mishimoto aluminum high capacity radiator #MMRAD-JL-18
Mishimoto aluminum high capacity trans cooler #MMTC-JL-18SL
S&B cold air intake #75-5145
and I’m still up in the air on which complete JUNK removal and tune kit I am going with but, it looks like Diesel Dudes. Hope that give you some research outlets.

 

[suzuguy69]

how do you feel about the 4.88? What size tire?

I pulled about 4700# up 7-9% grades in the summer @ 60mph. 488 gears/ 3.6 gas. No cooling issues at all. Trans or motor. Diesel should have no Motor or trans issues. Your towing restrictions are due to suspension and axles. It's not Motor performance related.

SAE towing calculations also use braking ability AND cooling capabilities which, because Stellantis insisted on cramming the Ecodiesel into the Jeep platform without any other design changes to accept it(mainly it would change the Jeep “look” and non of us want that either) we have major cooling limitations that limit towing capacity.

 

[NC_Overland]

SAE towing calculations also use braking ability AND cooling capabilities which, because Stellantis insisted on cramming the Ecodiesel into the Jeep platform without any other design changes to accept it(mainly it would change the Jeep “look” and non of us want that either) we have major cooling limitations that limit towing capacity.

It wasn’t about the look. It was about the cost of an enlarged frontal opening. It would have to be crash test certified again and that cost millions. I agree that it should have never been installed in the JL or JT. It’s too compromised.

 

[Rusty PW]

I have a ‘21 gladiator Ecodiesel and this is my build list I’m currently working on to assist in these matters:
PPE high capacity trans pan #228153020
Mishimoto aluminum high capacity radiator #MMRAD-JL-18
Mishimoto aluminum high capacity trans cooler #MMTC-JL-18SL
S&B cold air intake #75-5145
and I’m still up in the air on which complete JUNK removal and tune kit I am going with but, it looks like Diesel Dudes. Hope that give you some research outlets.

Be cautious of the Mishimoto radiator. They don't have a good reputation. 18 months to 2 yrs seems to be the life span before they start to leak.

 

[suzuguy69]

Be cautious of the Mishimoto radiator. They don't have a good reputation. 18 months to 2 yrs seems to be the life span before they start to leak.

Really? I have not heard that, talked to 2 people with those things, one guy with an 18 Ram 2500 with 6 years on his and a guy with an Ecodiesel gladiator on 40s and he installed his in 21. He said he didn’t see too much difference in temps but he was rigged to the hilt with at least 1200-1300 lbs added with tires, wheels and gear. Do you have a suggestion of who might offer a larger capacity radiator?

 

[Rusty PW]

Really? I have not heard that, talked to 2 people with those things, one guy with an 18 Ram 2500 with 6 years on his and a guy with an Ecodiesel gladiator on 40s and he installed his in 21. He said he didn’t see too much difference in temps but he was rigged to the hilt with at least 1200-1300 lbs added with tires, wheels and gear. Do you have a suggestion of who might offer a larger capacity radiator?

The one sports car forum I'm on. A lot of guys didn't have good luck with anything made by Mishashitymoto. With them, you roll the dice. CSF used to make some good radiators. The last couple of years. There have been a few reports of them leaking after about 2 years of track use. There is 2 others. Can't think of their names are now. But they are pricy.

Sponsored