synthetic atf

[dewdo]

At 16,000 miles I took my rig into a diesel shop in Yuma to change the ATF. In talking to the mechanic he said towing the 15,000 lb fiver I should use a synthetic atf. I had them go ahead and put it in. I don't recall the brand but he assured me that the synthetic would withstand the higher temps when towing up hill.

I have reached 32,000 miles now and have been toying with the idea of having Bill Kondolay install a TC and VB soon. Would I be better off to continue using a synthetic ATF or should I go back to the stock Mopar ATF? The present fluid still looks good and clean.

I tow the fiver about 4,000 miles a year and carry the 11. 5 ft. 4,500 lb camper and pull a 2,500 lb boat about 6,000 miles per year. Presently have a VA box, boost module and elbow, and a 4" exhaust. BD exhaust brake and Auto-Loc. Pyro gauge and transmission temp gauge.

Any suggestions?

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2000 Ram 3500 4 X 4 dualie W/B-D Exhaust Brake, Auto-Loc, Armr bed liner, DeeZee running boards, mud flaps, steps, leather, white with color splash on sides, would like to BOMB it, but after warranty. VA Box waiting to install.

34' King Of The Road 5th wheeler & 11. 5 Arctic Fox pickup camper. Winter in Arizona (Martinez Lake)

 

[DGFoster]

I would go with the Bill K TC and VB you will love it.
I used Amsoil synthetics in my trans and would never go back to regular atf,but I just had my trans done,and Bill said until the trans breaks in with the new parts use conventional atf,but I will soon be replacing it again with amsoil atf,he said after 1000 miles or so then I could go back to the synthetics #ad


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Dave Foster:
2000 3500,Light Driftwood,Quad cab
4x4,4:10 gears,Westach Gauges,K&N,Auto with DTT VB and TC,DD1 injectors and Boost Module,Van Aakens,Muffler and Resinator removed,Amsoiled front to back.
Member of the GLTDR.

 

[inarush76]

I would stick with the synthetic. When the tc/vb is first put in, fill with ATF+4 for the 1000 mile break-in period. Then when changing(new conv. has drain plug which helps)fluid, light throttle shifts and pressure can be adjustedif needed and synthetic fluid can then be installed. Hope this helps. #ad

James Northum

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[John]

dewdo, stay with the synthetic ATF, Amsoil Universal ATF +4 or Red Line 7176 ATF +3 are excellent choices. I had DTT fill my transmission with the Amsoil Universal ATF +4 when they enhanced it in mid January. Prior to that, I had been using the Red Line 7176 ATF +3 from about 7k miles in my 47RE. Both seem to work very well... there is virtually no wear in my transmission.

As far as whether you should spring for a DTT transmission enhancement or not, that's an easy one..... Y-E-S!!!! This will be the best money you WILL EVER spend on your auto. equipped Ram! HEY all you Rammers with DTT modified transmissions... am I wrong? And here's the best part, you live close enough to DTT (they are located in Abbotsford, BC) to have Bill and his expert crew make the upgrades. Also, if your specific installation takes longer than one day (i. e. , if you elect to have substantially more than a TC and VB installed), you can bring your trailer and Bill will provide the power.

..... just one more extra service this excellent establishment provides #ad


dewdo, if you are interested I will get you the Amsoil Universal ATF +4 at dealer cost for you (I have an Amsoil dealership although, I'm not a dealer per se). If interested, I could deliver it to you on Saturday (if you are going to Dyno Days). In addition, I will be making a side trip to DTT from BD to visit my buddies at DTT... if you want, you can ride with me or follow me over there so you can discuss your specific needs with Bill Kondolay. Did you notice I said specific? I say this as no two Rams are asked to do the same thing so, Bill custom modifies each valve body to match the specific profile created for each Ram. In addition, he will also advise you to any other upgrades you may require/desire to enhance the functionality of your Ram to your specific requirements. With DTT there is no such thing as "Off the rack"... everything is custom! #ad




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John Treibel
'98. 5 2500 QC 4x4 Sport, Glasstite Vision II, 285 BFG A/Ts on M/T Challengers, Warn 4X Boards, Mopar fender flares & tow hooks, NW Custom s/s-rubber mud flaps and accs. , Mag-Hytec diff. cover & DD trans. pan, Edelbrock IAS shocks, Reese Titan V hitch, SPA gauges (3), Dynamat, '00 Sport grille and headlights/PIAA Super White bulbs, PIAA Dual Sport 900 aux. lights, BD exh. brake, Amsoil Dual Remote Bypass w. trick billet block adapter and Aeroquip Teflon-s/s hoses, Optima Yellow Tops, DD3s and DD TTPM, Aeroquip AQP s/s fuel hoses, tricked out Cummins valve cover, tricked out Banks High-Ram intake manifold and 14 cm2 turbine housing w/Big Head wastegate actuator, ATS 3-piece exh. man. , Banks 4" dia. s/s exh. sys. , DTT 93% TC, DTT custom tuned VB, BD modified trans. front pump (enhanced by DTT), Air Bulldog induction hood (with NACA ducts), plus MANY other trick modifications

NRA Life (Patron) member

 

[dewdo]

Thanks guys for the feed back. I guess I will stick with the synthetic I have in it now until I get up to Bills place, and then go with what he reccomends for the breaking in. One other thing came to mind. Can the non synthetic atf be mixed with the synthetic?

I have my wife's mother visiting and recovering from a hip fracture so I won't be going to the dyno days.

Dewdo in the other Washington

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2000 Ram 3500 4 X 4 dualie W/B-D Exhaust Brake, Auto-Loc, Armr bed liner, DeeZee running boards, mud flaps, steps, leather, white with color splash on sides, would like to BOMB it, but after warranty. VA Box waiting to install.

34' King Of The Road 5th wheeler & 11. 5 Arctic Fox pickup camper. Winter in Arizona (Martinez Lake)

 

[John]

Originally posted by dewdo:
Can the non synthetic atf be mixed with the synthetic?

Yes, although depending upon the ratio of synthetic -vs- non synthetic ATF, the effectiveness will be diminished accordingly.