Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) DTT trannys ONLY pls, What ATF +3 are you using?

[rweis]

I'm comming up to my 500 - 1000 mile first change.



What brand of ATF +3 are you using?



Havoline has a "Chrysler ATF+3" ideas?



Thanks,



Bob Weis

 

[01smokinram]

My guy told me that he uses Amsoil to refill after first break in.

 

[TxDieselKid]

Ray,

You must have had Mr. James Northem do yours also.





I went with the Hi-Lo house brand because it's cheaper, and it is just rebadged Exon: Dextron3 Mercon fluid. If I come into some more money, then I might go with the Amsoil.





Andrew

 

[lmills]

I typically run the valvoline max life. Of course I haven't done the transmission upgrade yet.

 

[ididntdoit]

I put in Amsoil after DTT install "break in". Did first service a couple of weeks ago after 22,000mi. Oil & filter looked like new. Love the Amsoil.

 

[JBlock]

Which Amsoil do you use

Which Amsoil are you using in the automatic transmission?



thanks



JB

 

[ididntdoit]

Just the basic

Amsoil synthetic ATF, not the racing stuff.

 

[LSMITH]

Just go get some Dexron 3. It is less than half the cost and works fine.

 

[klaybus]

DTT

I use Valvoline ATF+3... . Darrin at DTT told me I could use any ATF+3. The key is to keep regular maintenance because the transmission is one of the most neglected power-train items.



Clay

 

[TSRAM]

Rweis, how are you liking it so far?. I got back with mine and a buddies on the 13th. The guy's up there are real nice. Especially like John and Chris. John seems to know his stuff.

The two of us that went had our doubts when we pulled up on the lot and the shop was so small, but the impression soon changed.

I put a few pics from the shop in my readers rides gallery.

I intend on running ATF+3 from the dealership. Have a neighbor that's giving me wholesale prices. Anyone have the part # for the locking gas cap??

 

[Tom W]

I use Castrol Syntex.

 

[dezrat]

Red Line high temperature ATF since Bill rebuilt it 42,000 miles ago. Before that Amsoil.

 

[jjohannessen]

Amsoil ATF with no problems!

 

[KLockliear]

When we do the DTT trannies at our place, we always put in just "draft" Napa Dexron III Mercon for the first 1000 miles. When the customer comes back, we give them the option of more draft or Red Line Hi Temp ATF, which is the Red Line synthetic Dexron III Mercon substitute.



We do NOT use any +3 or +4 fluids.

 

[John]

I brought up two cases of Amsoil Universal ATF (which is ATF+4 rated) when DTT modified my 47RE. I later serviced the transmission, replacing the Amsoil ATF with the same synthetic.



Just recently I serviced my 47RE again however, this time I went back to Red Line 7176 synthetic ATF+3. I used that starting at 7k mi. in my transmission. After I had The PowerShop modify my 47RE with (then) BD/Bill Kondolay parts, I continued with the Red Line 7176 ATF+3 juice... works great! [NOTE: the BD transmission upgrade preceded my DTT transmission upgrade]



Keith, Bill found that the Red Line High-Temp was causing some driveability issues in several Rams he had personally modified/built. After subsequently going through those transmissions and refilling them with that Castrol (ATF+3) rot-gut crap he uses for break-in, the driveability issues had disappeared. For that reason alone, I took the two cases of High-Temp I had intended to switch to back to my Red Line retailer, exchanging them for the Chrysler spec ATF (7176 ATF+3). Although, I have used the High-Temp ATF in my NV241HD transfer case for two changes now.

 

[TSRAM]

Originally posted by John





Keith, Bill found that the Red Line High-Temp was causing some driveability issues in several Rams he had personally modified/built. [/B]

If I remember correctly, my installer mention something along those same lines. It was recommended to me to use a Chrysler approved ATF+3. I just figured I'd go to the dealer to get it. To each his own I guess.

 

[LSMITH]

According to Bill the Dexron 3 is FINE, but there is a small chance that you will encounter shudder when the TC locks under power. IF that happens a couple quarts of ATF+3 OR some Lubeguard applied per Bill will take care of it. With Dexron the shifts will be a tad more crisp across the board, other than that and the slight chance of shudder most of you guys are wasting a pile of money on the +3 and +4 ripoff juices.



Do the research guys, make the phone calls. Don't just blindly follow the crowd.

 

[rweis]

TSRAM - I had the same thoughts when I pulled up. However, talking to them for just a few minutes really unveils the true capability.



Chips recommended D/C ATF+3. I checked local dealer parts counter $14/gal. Went to local auto parts (NOT a chain, this guy races, builds, has a machine shop etc) and he felt Havoline Chrysler AFT+3 ($10/gal) would be really close to MOPAR ATF+3.



Did the drain / drop / fill today. When I wiped the pan, the magnet had a tiny trace on it and the rest of the pan was totally clean. I got 4 gal out. Expected 5gal, but transmission was not hot, maybe the difference. Shifts different than the orgional fill. Way smoother, but only ran enough to get warm to check levels. Will know more in a week or so.



The only ? I had was the T/C drain plug. I could not get it out as easy as I though it should come. Got the larger torque wrench, started at 240"# and increased it 20"# at a time. The plug loosened up at 300"#. Make sure you use a 6pt socket. I started to use a 12pt and it started to deform the plug at 240"# so switched to a 6pt. I did call Phil's cell to ask him the torque #, but had it solved about the time he called me back. They were closed when I ran into the glitch, but he did call me when he got back to his cell phone. Oh, Phil called me friday on the way home to florida to check on how towing was going. GREAT service!



On the way back to florida I ran 65 with cruise, smart controller on in 3rd (2550rpm), D-Celerator on. What a H*LL of a package. Pleanty of power up hill, auto engage of exhaust brake downhill. The Saluda gap was not even a hickup. Wife now shares driving the 5er. She drives it with the smart controller on. I have confidence that she is not going to injure the transmission towing. She even likes the D-Celerator.



I had talked to a 2001 F350 diesel 5er RV guy where we stayed. He went on and on about how hard the Saluda gap was. Same 8k as mine, he enters at 65 and tops at 40. Went on about how trecherous the downhill was. After we went thorugh I made a mental note to watch for F350's towing and see if they really do pull that poorly.



So far the DTT is a dream. Don't have to run O/D out below 1600rpm (empty) around town anymore because of poor line pressure. Nice shifts. Just total confidence in the transmission now.



How was your trip?



Bob Weis

 

[TSRAM]

Our trip went well. A buddy of mine went and got the same setup as I did. We got there on Mon. of this week an hour before they opened and left bout 1:30 on Wed. afternoon. Real happy so far.



LSMITH, I am interested in the different shifting characteristics between the two fluids. Have you already tried both fluids and can attest to the harder shift? Just curious. I have had a couple of trannies to shift harder than this one. I miss the tire bark going to second gear.

 

[LSMITH]

TSRAM, I have not tried it with this trans. I am not going to pay for +3 again let alone +4. I did notice a small softening of the shift from CarQuest Dex3 to Chevron IsoSyn Dex3. Getting to be a fan of the IsoSyn products... ... .



Talk to them canadians. They have tried most of it and are interested in anything you have been fool enough to try too. As for the tire bark going into second I am not sure sure where yours went, mine is alive and well with the tire eating smoke god as well... .....