Jeep Patriot Forums banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

Engine oil cooler for increased towing?

Jump to Latest
1 - 13 of 13 Posts

MK-Northstar

· Registered
Joined
·
16 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hi,

I’ve read on this forum and other pages that all one needs to do to increase a Patriot’s towing capacity from 1000lbs to 2000lb is to install an engine oil cooler. Has anyone on here successfully done this transition? If so, what part did you buy? A Mopar OEM, something universal, or an aux cooler in conjunction with the OEM cooler? I am not a mechanic so please provide as much detail as possible so I can bring the info to my shop that I use for mods.

I reached out to Mopar about this, and got answers that didn’t really help me. Based on my VIN, they claim I have a cooler but can still only tow 1k. Below is their text…

…

“I ran the vin number, and it appears that you already have an engine oil cooler. It is a piece between the oil filter and the block. Coolant circulates through it to remove the heat from the oil. Other than that, Mopar doesn't offer an aux oil cooler.

I did some research on that and I found that you are correct in the towing capacity being 1000 lbs. There is a factory tow prep package that would increase your towing capacity to 2000lbs, sales code AHC. Your vehicle does not have that, so I did some digging for a tow prep kit from Mopar, and they do not offer one. It appears that for the heavier towing capacity, the jeep must be ordered with that package. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend towing anything over 1000 lbs. with the set up that you have. I also cannot say if adding an aux cooler would be enough, there may also be suspension upgrades, some kind of larger transmission cooler, a power steering cooler perhaps. I cannot find any information on the factory installed tow prep components and what it consists of.”
 
#2 ·
This subject has been discussed numerous times over the years.

There were specific factory engine oil coolers that could be purchased directly from Mopar for the models with the CVT or manual 5 speed transmissions, but not for the 6 speed auto.

For the 6 speed automatic, others have installed the factory engine oil cooler for the manual 5 speed (#82210701).
That said, IDK whether or not adding just the oil cooler alone legitimately adds 1000 lbs towing capacity like the factory installed trailer tow package does.

In any case, you can tell if you have a factory engine oil cooler, it's installed on the engine where the oil filter mounts, then the oil filter mounts to the cooler.

You can also use your VIN to get a factory build sheet that should tell you what options you have:
www.jeeppatriot.com

Jeep VIN to Build Sheet Service

Want a build sheet for your MK? Trying to figure out which options you have, like FDI or FDII? Looking to buy and need to confirm options, like which transmission? All you need is the VIN! Copy and paste the link below (minus quotes) into your browser , then replace the xxxx.... with your 17...
www.jeeppatriot.com www.jeeppatriot.com
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
Sandstone said:
This subject has been discussed numerous times over the years.

There were specific factory engine oil coolers that could be purchased directly from Mopar for the models with the CVT or manual 5 speed transmissions, but not for the 6 speed auto.

For the 6 speed automatic, others have installed the factory engine oil cooler for the manual 5 speed (#82210701).
That said, IDK whether or not adding just the oil cooler alone legitimately adds 1000 lbs towing capacity like the factory installed trailer tow package does.

In any case, you can tell if you have a factory engine oil cooler, it's installed on the engine where the oil filter mounts, then the oil filter mounts to the cooler.

You can also use your VIN to get a factory build sheet that should tell you what options you have:
www.jeeppatriot.com

Jeep VIN to Build Sheet Service

Want a build sheet for your MK? Trying to figure out which options you have, like FDI or FDII? Looking to buy and need to confirm options, like which transmission? All you need is the VIN! Copy and paste the link below (minus quotes) into your browser , then replace the xxxx.... with your 17...
www.jeeppatriot.com www.jeeppatriot.com
Click to expand...
Definitely not my intent to beat a dead horse, or annoy anyone, but various sources have said conflicting things which has been difficult to understand over the past year of reading about it. That’s why I reached out to see if anyone has mechanically done it, successfully, not just talk about it in theory.

Thank you for the build link. I will give that a go when the Jeep site is back up and running (it appears to be undergoing maintenance).
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
I never said it was nor am I the person who originally started this idea. All I wanted was a straight answer to finally get to bottom of it- not needless sarcasm.

I'll consider the matter a dead end based on the replies I've received thus far.
 
#6 ·
The OEM cooler apparently doesn't just cool the engine oil. Apparently it also has lines that run through the transmission, which may be why this is said by some to increase the towing capacity. I've towed my 800-pound snowmobile trailer probably 100 miles to fetch a 400-pound snowmobile, with only an aftermarket cooler equipped, the kind that only cools the engine oil. I'm not sure this provides sufficient protection to my drivetrain to haul two snowmobiles even the 10 miles or so to the trailhead a couple times a year, plus I may want to tow more sometime and this is a vehicle I want to last. So in my case, I wound up with a 1998 3/4 ton Suburban with the 454ci V8 as an extra vehicles for range days and heavy hauling. If an extra vehicle specifically for towing isn't in the budget for you, I'd recommend buying a transmission temp gauge, getting it set up, and being extremely careful. I've also used the FIXD app and little OBD2 scanner that's needed to go with it to keep an eye on things under the hood.
 
#7 ·
I suppose it is a dead horse, but for those new to the forum who haven't found the cleverly disguised search engine, it is a new topic. Consider, too, the search results can be overwhelming (I got 400+ hits).

The short answer is that Patriots really aren't tow vehicles. If you wouldn't tow it behind any other car (car being the operative word here), then don't tow it behind a Patriot. These are neither powerful nor heavy vehicles. Both of those count in the equation.

I have a 5-spd and no cooler. I tow little stuff for short distances with my utility trailer. It takes my lawn tractor to the shop for repairs, and I wouldn't be shy about pulling a motorcycle. I've pulled a mid-sized U-Haul full of furniture a few times, I'm guessing +/-50 miles, +/-1000#. However, I would not take a family vacation with your wife, kids and luggage in it, while dragging a vacation trailer through the mountains on a hot week in July!

Small loads on small trips, just use your judgment. Big loads on a long trip -- no way. A cooler may help a little, but it's no substitute for an appropriate vehicle.
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
Ignatz said:
I suppose it is a dead horse, but for those new to the forum who haven't found the cleverly disguised search engine, it is a new topic. Consider, too, the search results can be overwhelming (I got 400+ hits).

The short answer is that Patriots really aren't tow vehicles. If you wouldn't tow it behind any other car (car being the operative word here), then don't tow it behind a Patriot. These are neither powerful nor heavy vehicles. Both of those count in the equation.

I have a 5-spd and no cooler. I tow little stuff for short distances with my utility trailer. It takes my lawn tractor to the shop for repairs, and I wouldn't be shy about pulling a motorcycle. I've pulled a mid-sized U-Haul full of furniture a few times, I'm guessing +/-50 miles, +/-1000#. However, I would not take a family vacation with your wife, kids and luggage in it, while dragging a vacation trailer through the mountains on a hot week in July!

Small loads on small trips, just use your judgment. Big loads on a long trip -- no way. A cooler may help a little, but it's no substitute for an appropriate vehicle.
Click to expand...
Thank you. Exactly. The results have been overwhelming, in addition to conflicting reads on the internet and even talks with mechanics who are always dumbfounded by the low tow weight. My hope was to pull a small tear drop camper for trips of 100 miles or less. I wasn’t looking to pull big boats, big campers, etc, across country.

Most small, and reasonably priced, teardrops weigh between 1000-3000lbs (from what I’ve seen). If I could’ve towed one with my 4x4 Patriot, instead of my old leaky 2wd van (that can pull more) that would’ve been ideal.
 
#9 ·
MK-Northstar said:
Hi,

I’ve read on this forum and other pages that all one needs to do to increase a Patriot’s towing capacity from 1000lbs to 2000lb is to install an engine oil cooler. Has anyone on here successfully done this transition? If so, what part did you buy? A Mopar OEM, something universal, or an aux cooler in conjunction with the OEM cooler? I am not a mechanic so please provide as much detail as possible so I can bring the info to my shop that I use for mods.

I reached out to Mopar about this, and got answers that didn’t really help me. Based on my VIN, they claim I have a cooler but can still only tow 1k. Below is their text…

…

“I ran the vin number, and it appears that you already have an engine oil cooler. It is a piece between the oil filter and the block. Coolant circulates through it to remove the heat from the oil. Other than that, Mopar doesn't offer an aux oil cooler.

I did some research on that and I found that you are correct in the towing capacity being 1000 lbs. There is a factory tow prep package that would increase your towing capacity to 2000lbs, sales code AHC. Your vehicle does not have that, so I did some digging for a tow prep kit from Mopar, and they do not offer one. It appears that for the heavier towing capacity, the jeep must be ordered with that package. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend towing anything over 1000 lbs. with the set up that you have. I also cannot say if adding an aux cooler would be enough, there may also be suspension upgrades, some kind of larger transmission cooler, a power steering cooler perhaps. I cannot find any information on the factory installed tow prep components and what it consists of.”
Click to expand...
well that sucks they changed that! i have a 2012 fwd pat & upgraded mine with the oil cooler, increasing the tow capacity to 2k lbs. bought the kit for an automatic from the stealership but apparently the cvt requres the manual trans part...ugh mopar! it has worked correctly for over 100k mi. even climbing mountains in 90 deg weather. granted i didnt exceed 1400 lbs.
 
#10 ·
Here's the thread I was looking for before, from somebody who had his camper custom-made. Not sure how good the info still is, but it's something at least. Maybe you can get one of these done so you've got something the Patriot can use? Besides that it's honestly a matter of how much you like the Patriot vs. wanna tow heavy things. Tear Drop is Done!
 
#12 ·
TKPat said:
Don't waste your $ on the Engine Oil Cooler. The wake point is the transmission and this kit does nothing to improve transmission temp. Your better off installing an aftermarket Transmission cooler if you want to tow with your patriot.
Click to expand...
I'd tend to agree with TKPat. On almost every CAR I've owned in the past, the major differences between those with, and those without a tow package have had to do with things like a heavier duty radiator/cooling system, a trans cooler, gearing, and heavier amperage alternator. I do think the trans is the weakest link in these, and a trans cooler would be the one single most important upgrade out of the list.

In the long run, if you plan on doing frequent towing of any kind, or even once in a while heavier towing, I'd look for a vehicle more suited for that purpose. Kind of like buying a VW Beetle, and expect it to tow anything. Lol. The Patriot, especially in 4x4 format, is a great vehicle - for what it was designed for (towing not really being one of them)!
 
#13 ·
I'm pretty sure the reason the OE towing (and lower-final-drive-gear) package FD-II came with an engine oil cooler because the expectation was that you'd spend more time with your foot mashed to the floor with the engine screaming at 5000 rpm to maintain 51.3 mph up a mountain grade for 25 minutes straight, which means very high head temps and therefore very hot oil. Cooling the oil would help preserve the working life of the oil itself and likely help to reduce the possibility of overheating.

On my half ton truck there's an oil temp gauge and most of the time oil stabilizes (eventually) at about 10F above the water temp, but when I'm towing uphill it'll go 20+F hotter than the water.
 
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
About this Discussion
12 Replies
8 Participants
Last post:
kurek
Jeep Patriot Forums
posts
678K
members
55K
Since
2006
Join our community to discuss the Jeep Patriot & Jeep Compass. Find answers to all your Jeep Patriot technical questions.
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Jeep Patriot General Discussion Engine and Drivetrain Newbie Check-In Suspension and Tires Electrical and Audio