ATF / Transfer Case Oil Change

[Timd32]

'18 2500 6.4 4WD

2 questions, if not will find out this afternoon one way or another.

Q1:
I guess I should check, I was under the impression to use ATF+4 in the TC, but looking at the table it lists a Mopar part number. 68089195AA

Of course going to the web is the worse thing you can do, I can skip the TC and just buy the Mopar stuff, but anyone with other suggestions on something that would be available at a NAPA or Advanced Auto for pick up.

I don't even know what TC is in the truck it lists 2. I'm thinking it's the 44-46, mine is shift on the fly. And the 44-47 looks like a manual, but again just a guess there.

Regardless as both TC's are listed as 68089195AA fluid so does not matter.

Q2:
The small canister return filter in the transmission, will that spin off by hand, or is it installed by some monster machine deal. I don't have a strap wrench or the little cup, can always run out and grab one, they are at the work shop not at home.

I have the 66RFE but the pics are identical as the 68RFE.

Will report back as always with findings one way or another.

Thanks

 

[AH64ID]

I can’t help with Q2, but my xCase has Amsoil ATF in it.

Amsoil Signature Series ATF has the BW 44-44 part number, ASRC, and ATF+4 on the bottle. One stop shopping for all your xcase and transmission needs.

https://www.amsoil.com/p/signature-series-multi-vehicle-synthetic-automatic-transmission-fluid-atf/

There is a lot of speculation on what the BW fluid actually is, or what makes is special. It has been compared to Dexron VI, but it’s not that.

 

[lpennock]

Could probably save a few dollars going with Ravenol https://www.blauparts.com/borgwarner-transfer-case-fluid-ravenol-bw44-1l.html

Update: Looks like the Amsoil John listed is even cheaper.

 

[nukegm]

x2 what ah64id said. have had that fluid in my t case for 40k no issues and its not priced like gold as the mopar fluid is...

 

[Timd32]

Looks like they carry it local, worth a drive over plus will bring the operating temp up a little.

 

[Cummins12V98]

One of the great things about AMZ/OIL's ATF and SevereGear is the handy squeeze bottle that makes adding a breeze.

 

[Timd32]

Never easy in the NE, would you believe one single bolt was rusted and was not coming out. Well it's a 8mm head normally, it became 9/32 with the magic hammer.

Would you also believe out of all the couple hundred metric flange bolts I have at the house I have M6x1.0 but only 10mm and 20mm long and of course it needs to be 15mm, I made one work.

Fluid looked OK for 68k, little late on the service.

Oil pan is shot time for a new one of those. Will probably farm that out at this point.

Oil pan on the right, stripped bolt on the left.

Material on top, new pan and gasket, have to move magnet over from existing, it had very little on it fuzz wise, pretty happy.

Oil lower left new on left of pic.

These are just my metric assortment, I try to have a good stock. I will say these couple days will cause folks to reevaluate doing stuff, really just have to keep at it and push thru. Never comes easy.

 

[Topzide]

Q2, The filter in trans should come off with Channel Locks if needed or 3 jaw oil filter remover. Isn't maintenance so much fun!

 

[Timd32]

Q2, The filter in trans should come off with Channel Locks if needed or 3 jaw oil filter remover. Isn't maintenance so much fun!

Yeah if you look at the table I had one of those, who knew till it did not come off by hand and I looked in my box. Nice tool first time I used it, it does destroy the can a little.

That plastic thread leaves a lot to be desired, would recommend having 2 on hand just in case, it did not want to thread too easily, just too it easy and it caught.

66RFE did 6qt overall took 7qt, maintenance drain and fill. Book says 6.5qt.

I took it for a good drive and checked when I got back.

Thought the dipstick was interesting, says idle in neutral. That's what I did. I'm sure Park would be fine for these.

Did not do the XC yet, have to drop the skid plate. Ran out of time, 2 kids under 5 and dying Easter eggs tonight so don't want to miss that.

Overall I did not have too much time, but was hoping to get both done, happy with the progress.

Yeah it's a blast, it kinda frustrated me as I should have kept up on some stuff better, but I'm happy with the turn out.

And appreciate the feedback as always.
, thanks everyone. Will tackle that XC at some point, got the Amsoil stuff John posted up. We'll my wife actually did me a favor and got it, she's the best.

 

[Topzide]

@Timd32, The next time you do the trans, you might want to do the tip about removing the line to pump out convertor. Have done on mine twice. Once right after I got it home and then 10K later to have a good base line to start my records with. It was a TDR write up that Geno's has a link to. I got just over 13 quarts out of the system! Have to say that now with just over 20K for the last drain out, fluid has remained a nice red color to it! Sure was nice to not has a disaster when dropping the pan that first time. Added the drain plug to my pan at first drop and was even nicer the second go round! DW always on me for doing maintenance on the fleet. I remind her that every vehicle that we have had has been driven well over 100K and several over 200k! Money well spent since maintenance never got near a monthly payment coupon book! Glad you got it done and need to put on schedule for next year PM. I like having PM supply of items to do when time/weather works in my favor since I'm garage/shop challenged.

 

[Topzide]

@Timd32, Here's that TDR article, https://www.genosgarage.com/downloads/TechPDF/TDR64_TransFluidChange.pdf

 

[odinjunior]

I love reading about you guys doing Maintenance. Just turned 75 and it's getting harder to get up after getting under any of the fleet.

 

[Topzide]

@odinjunior, You just need an assistant to help you from having to get up and down! It takes me extra time doing these items do to the amount of scrap metal in my neck and back! But it has kept me some what mobile and able to do things. Everyone says how falls are dangerous. I say it's the sudden stop that's dangerous!! Do what we can, when we can and allow extra time/days to do them. Enjoy these trucks!

 

[odinjunior]

@odinjunior, You just need an assistant to help you from having to get up and down! It takes me extra time doing these items do to the amount of scrap metal in my neck and back! But it has kept me some what mobile and able to do things. Everyone says how falls are dangerous. I say it's the sudden stop that's dangerous!! Do what we can, when we can and allow extra time/days to do them. Enjoy these trucks!

Topzide, You are correct. One of the benefits of this age is it has allowed me to teach my Honey a few tasks she can help with. Torquing 32 lug nuts is one...

 

[Cummins12V98]

Mine is good at helping change RV tires.

 

[Timd32]

I love reading about you guys doing Maintenance. Just turned 75 and it's getting harder to get up after getting under any of the fleet.

Yep I'm 45 so still on the younger side for sure.

It's a comedy show at all times. I was using a creeper which I don't even have to jack up the truck to do it, but then that bolt messed that up and I went to the moving blanket.

Well I was almost all done and shoved the moving blanket aside. They are pretty slippery, I was climbing out slipped on the blanket and smacked my head on the passenger mirror. Shook it off, was pretty busy.

A few hours later I thought I had gotten ATF in my hair, here I had a decent but not a bad bleeding cut. Wife was not happy, but she looked at it and said not much to do here and moved on.

Yep I enjoy the days after doing the maintenance, but it's been a rough go at it.

All I can keep saying is any rigs in the salt/brine belt, start early and often.

For the record there are.
Qty 15 M6x1.0- 15mm long on the pan, I swapped them all. Plus the pan and gasket.

On the 6.4 the cross tube from the left bank manifold crosses right past the back of the pan, and the XC mount it right there.

I will have spare bolts, and 2 sets of filters on hand, that plastic deal is sketchy and will ruin someone's day.

All in I thought it would be fun to post up some of my adventures here, been kinda slow on posts lately.

Thanks

 

[NIsaacs]

Mine is good at helping change RV tires.
View attachment 133403

Where is your battery powered impact?

 

[Topzide]

@Timd32, Geno's has a fix for the plastic pipe on can filter, https://www.genosgarage.com/product...er-steel-nipple-upgrade/transmission-upgrades
Gonna have one for the next time I'm in there! Sorry to hear that the truck bit you.
It must've not like the brand of coffee you gave it!
At least it's done and should go easier the next time! I've got the front drive shaft out of the 1500 for u-joints. Pulled 1 cap and just starting to score spider with some grease left. Looks like I got them in time! Oh what fun!

 

[Cummins12V98]

Where is your battery powered impact?

She needs to learn the basics first!

 

[Timd32]

@Timd32, Geno's has a fix for the plastic pipe on can filter, https://www.genosgarage.com/product...er-steel-nipple-upgrade/transmission-upgrades
Gonna have one for the next time I'm in there! Sorry to hear that the truck bit you.
It must've not like the brand of coffee you gave it!
At least it's done and should go easier the next time! I've got the front drive shaft out of the 1500 for u-joints. Pulled 1 cap and just starting to score spider with some grease left. Looks like I got them in time! Oh what fun!

That's great and seems like a nice upgrade.

It was super sketchy with the plastic part. I thought it might be a returned filter, it would not go.from the start.

Thanks for sharing.