Aftermarket trans coolers? air bags?

[MilJack]

Hey all,
Just found this site, MUCH more info here than at that other site!
we have an '05 that we tow our boat with occasionally, and I didn't go for the crap Honda coolers (dealer wanted $1500!!) for the towing package.
anyway, I have no problem installing an aftermarket cooler, has anyone here done that on their Pilot? Did you have to take the front bumper cover off to install?
Rear air bags/springs, the Pilot could use some help when towing, it definitely is sprung a little too soft for decent handling while towing. As a reference a friend helped pick up our boat with his Tahoe, and you could not even tell that the boat was back there! Anyone who has installed something to help the rear springs?

thanks,
Jack

[tangotango99]

Originally posted by MilJack
Hey all,
Just found this site, MUCH more info here than at that other site!
we have an '05 that we tow our boat with occasionally, and I didn't go for the crap Honda coolers (dealer wanted $1500!!) for the towing package.
anyway, I have no problem installing an aftermarket cooler, has anyone here done that on their Pilot? Did you have to take the front bumper cover off to install?
Rear air bags/springs, the Pilot could use some help when towing, it definitely is sprung a little too soft for decent handling while towing. As a reference a friend helped pick up our boat with his Tahoe, and you could not even tell that the boat was back there! Anyone who has installed something to help the rear springs?

thanks,
Jack

Nice to have you on board,search the forum and you should find some information on the subject

[whizmo]

The "crap Honda coolers" are engineered for the car and preserve your warranty. They're not cheap, but a typical installed price for all four towing kits (hitch, wiring harness, and both coolers) is around $1100 so the coolers don't cost $1500 - more like $700 installed. You can get them both mail-order DIY for about $375, or $210 if you want to skip the PS cooler.

I don't know about aftermarket coolers, but the Honda package does require bumper removal. I don't see any way you could get a cooler in there without doing so.

This is one of those things where I think you're going to get what you pay for.

Final comment: You need to have reasoanble expectations. A typical Tahoe has a V8, a very stout 4-speed transmission with OD lockout, a body-on-frame truck chassis, and an 8K+ lb tow rating. Air bags might help a bit, but you'll never get a Pilot to tow anything like a Tahoe. Tahoes are great tow vehicles; Pilots aren't.

- Mark

[MilJack]

Not trying to get at anybody who has the Honda coolers, but it appears as though those Honda "coolers" really have maybe 5% more surface area to help cool the tranny, same for the PS.
I am comparing them to a quality aftermarket cooler which would have much more surface area to dissipate the heat. BTW has anyone ever tested the temp. drop after the Honda cooler is installed?

Regarding the Tahoe, I wasn't comparing the Pilot to a Tahoe, I was trying to just state my opinion on the "feel" of the two. In other words, I don't think it would be a big deal to add a little extra spring rate to the Pilot to help its towing performance. We didn't buy our Pilot with everyday towing in mind, we only use it occasionally for that purpose, and it does a fine job, but I just wanted to make it a little bit safer if we decide to try out some different lakes.

thanks all,
Jack

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by MilJack
Not trying to get at anybody who has the Honda coolers, but it appears as though those Honda "coolers" really have maybe 5% more surface area to help cool the tranny, same for the PS.
I am comparing them to a quality aftermarket cooler which would have much more surface area to dissipate the heat. BTW has anyone ever tested the temp. drop after the Honda cooler is installed?
. .

thanks all,
Jack

No problem, but there is more then just surface area.

You have to deal with airflow, over-cooling and ease of mounting issues.

I am sure the Honda cooler is good enough, and it may cost a bit more than it is worth, but you are paying for the ease of installation and the engineering that went into it.

[PSUPilot]

I installed AirLift 1000 rear air bags. They help level the Pilot when you have a lot loaded in the rear. We tow a boat and it definitly helps then but also when we have 8 people in the car I bring the pressure up.

They were pretty easy to install if you have some basic wrenching abilities and the correct tools (I had to buy the right sized drill bit).

Take a look at their website:AirLift

Remember never actually exceed the weight limits of the Pilot!

[fiatvhs2]

We installed Air Lift air bags in our Jeep Grand Cherokee to help support the rear when towing a very heavy race car trailer. (3500 - 4000 pounds) and they held up very well. Sold them with the Jeep after using them for 3-4 years. Plan to install them on the 06 Pilot I just bought for the same reason. The other benefit is that when you are not towing you can drop the psig versus overload or coil over shocks that i have used that leave the truck with too stiff a rear when not towing. I plan to keep some pressure on to reduce the oversteer that the Pilot has. The only trailer I have towed so far is a small 2 wheel and the Pilot was fine w/o anything. I think their needed only with very heavy trailers. Any one towed 4000 pounds with a Pilot? How are the brakes?

[GETFURIOUS]

OKAY, AFTER I READ ALL THE POSTS ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION AND POWER STEERING COOLERS.....AND ALL THE POSTS ABOUT THE AIR LIFT SUSPENSION.....I HAVE MADE MY DECISION......

I HAVE ORDERED AN AFTERMARKET TRANSMISSION COOLER AND AN AFTERMARKET POWER STEERING COOLER.....

I JUST LIKE THE EXTRA CAPACITY, THE BETTER QUALITY, AND THE MUCH BETTER PRICING OF THE AFTERMARKET COOLERS.....

I ALSO ORDERED THE "AIR LIFT" SUSPENSION KIT.....

B-T-W.....J.C. WHITNEY HAS THE AIR LIFT SUSPENSION KIT FOR THE PILOT FOR $65.99 AND THEY HAVE FREE SHIPPING FOR ORDERS OVER $75.00.....WITH THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER, MY ORDER WAS OVER $100.00 AND I HAD A COUPON FOR AN ADDITIONAL $20.00 OFF.....I GOT BOTH ITEMS FOR A TOTAL OF $108.00, FULL PRICE DELIVERED.....

I ALSO ORDERED THE TRAILER HITCH, THE CROSS BARS, AND THE MDX SUBFRAME BRACKETS.....

I WILL CHANGE MY WHEELS AND TIRES AFTER THE FIRST OF THE YEAR.....

I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR THEIR INPUT, THE GREAT PHOTOS, AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION THAT HAS BEEN PROVIDED.....

I WILL PROBABLY INSTALL THESE UPGRADES JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS, SO I WILL TAKE PHOTOS AND POST AFTER THE INSTALLATION IS DONE.....

[Daordeslee31]

Merry Christmas!

[mattchalmers]

Probably would be a good idea NOT to visit the above site since this person has only posted three times and they are all this same post. Beware of this joker.

[tangotango99]

Originally posted by mattchalmers
Probably would be a good idea NOT to visit the above site since this person has only posted three times and they are all this same post. Beware of this joker.

Agreed, this joker maybe up to something.

[Eeendebunlen77]

LOL [url]url] !

[jay]

Is this crap coming from a certain ip address or group, and is ther eany way to do a group kill on this crap?

[colorider]

Originally posted by jay
Is this crap coming from a certain ip address or group, and is ther eany way to do a group kill on this crap?

We have been killing IP's as we identify them.

[jay]

Originally posted by colorider


We have been killing IP's as we identify them.

Cool, thanks. Should I continue reporting posts when I find them?