[Rich Peterson]

(I meant to say power steering cooler and tranny cooler in the thread title.)

I have an Ody on order but my dealer is ripping me off terribly for the towing package (which I want). I checked around and I can get a comparable hitch with wiring for 1/3 the price elsewhere. The problem is I want to get the power steering and tranny coolers installed and the hitch shops don't do that. Does anyone know:

1. How much should dealers charge to install the coolers only without the rest of the trailer tow package? I noticed the parts list for $239 and $205. What would be a reasonable installation charge?

2. I noticed I can order the parts online from H&A (advertised here). I have to believe I can order them discounted and have a local repair shop install them pretty cheaply. Other than warranty issues, are there any reasons not to do this?

[This message has been edited by The Van Man (edited 02-04-2002).]

 

[Mel]

Any general mechanic, certainly any transmission shop, can install the coolers for you. I doubt if it would take more than an hour to install both coolers; just make sure they know how easy it is to remove the bumper. Actually, they appear to be pretty easy to install and you might consider doing it yourself; I know I would.

While you're at it, consider the fog lights, since they require removing the front bumper, too. And if you want louder horns...

Mel

 

[Rich Peterson]

Good advice, Mel. I looked at the installation instructions at H and A accesories and I couldn't believe how clear and easy it looks. Now I feel even more sure I am getting very ripped off by my dealer.

 

[TS45]

We are paying $550.00 for the hitch and coolers installed at the dealer and $440.00 for the Fog lights installed at the dealer and $50.00 to have a Donnely mirror installed (we bought). The hitch and lights include parts and installation.

 

[ODY_DataSeek]

Will the intallation of a third party hitch void the Factory Warranty? I have contaced an excellent hitch company and they say that it is a joke to install the Honda required coolers (tranny and PS) if you are towing less than 3,000 pounds. They will install hidden hitch and tranny cooler for very low price. I am worried only about voiding factory warranty. What if the tranny fails and you have non-factory tow package? It could get ugly with a $2,500 repair bill. Also, has anyone been able to purchase the Honda tow package off the web for about $500 bucks and get it installed at a local hitch place? This would save tons of money as the dealer markup is absurd. Thanks

 

[Canodyssey]

As has been said before the only way they can void a warranty repair is if they can prove that the alteration or addition you did caused the failure.
There is really no such thing as a "factory tow package" since all accessories are installed by the dealer. If you want to save money but are worried about third party coolers I would get the Honda coolers at Handa. The hitch you can get any where. A good hitchshop or tranny shop can install the coolers.
The only caveat here is that the coolers and installation are not covered by the warranty.

 

[ODY_DataSeek]

The local hitch shops would install the Honda hitch but would NOT install the Honda coolers. They would also install a 'hidden hitch' and their version of the tranny cooler (but no PS cooler). Still have a bit of a dilema though. Certainly, the safest route would be to install the Honda complete package if I could find someone to install the whole thing. I am still worried that Honda would play hard ball if a tranny failed and their coolers were not installed. Oh well, I may have to attempt the coolers myself... At least that way the only argument would be who installed them and not whether the parts were approved of or not... Thanks

 

[rray]

I had a Draw-Tite class III hitch & 2" ball (75103) & wiring harness (18336) & Hayden Transmission cooler installed at a local hitch shop for $490.00. I tow a 3500# boat/trailer. So far so good.

 

[ODY_DataSeek]

Thanks rray, Got any photos? Would be interested in seeing the Draw-Tite. Also, did how did they run your electrical connections? Did they leave inside and you pull and hang out only when you tow or is the harness routed down and out through some hole? Thanks

 

[rray]

The only picture I have is from the
http://www.draw-tite.com site..

http://www.draw-tite.com/findhtch/img/part/maxfr.jpg

The hitch shop also ran the 18336 connector. Appears it comes out between body and bumper over the top of the receiver.

They also installed a failrly large transmission cooler that is mounted on the front of the radiator..

http://www.eyershitch.com/cooler.gif


They said the Ody already has a power stering cooler that is adeuate for my towing needs. I liked going to a shop that only did hitches as opposed to the Honda dealer who probably had little or no experience with towing.

 

[Rich Peterson]

I ended up having the dealer install the coolers just for warranty reasons. I will have a 3rd party hitch shop put on the hitch, wiring, and an electric brake controller soon.

 

[ODY_DataSeek]

Thanks to all for their input. I am going to see if I can find a dealer who will let me buy the coolers from the web (or sell them to me for a similar price) and then install them for me. Seems like the safest and cheapest way to go. I am still trying to find a rear view of the ODY with each of the different hitches installed to see which one looks the best. Cheers

 

[TrickedOdyssey]

I'll actually be doing a Torque convertor upgrade in the Ody soon, and adding a LEVEL10 tranny cooler. not for hauling mind you, for more power! gains .5 seconds in the quarter mile....convertor costs 495.00 and the cooler is 89.00.