Transmission Service

[Monroefiredog1]

Hi, I just purchased a used one owner 06 CTD, it is 100% stock, one owner. The owner told me that he changed the oil, oil filter, air filter and fuel filter every 5000 miles. But he never did have the automatic transmission serviced. It has 158,000 miles now, and am I okay to change the fluid and filter at this mileage? I know in the past that I have changed some fluids that were not changed as they should have been and it messed the transmission up. I just don't want to mess it up. What are y'all thoughts? I am also looking to upgrade the exhaust to a larger setup. What do y'all recommend? The only other thing that I may change down the road would be the injectors.

 

[AEdelheit]

I would drop the pan and do the oil, filter and check the bands but I would not have a shop do any sort of flush that uses chemicals to "clean" the transmission as it can dislodge dirt and cause issues, know a lot of people who replaced transmissions shortly after a fancy flush machine was used.

The factory exhaust in 06 is 4" so no reason to go larger unless you want the annoying drone of 5" .

 

[Darkbloodmon]

x2 on not flushing, It's not any of my business what you do to your truck but I agree 4" is plenty 5" is asking for attention and ire of those you live and commute around.

Before you do anything "additional" I'd make sure you can keep it working and on the road first. Fluids, suspension/steering, fuel delivery/injection parts. If you don't have receipts for previous work and parts installed plan ahead for them to fail, i.e. injectors....

 

[tjm]

I did my first band adjustment at 90K miles. A bit late of course. I just adjusted them and changed the fluid and filter like i normally did. Noticed a pretty good improvement right off the bat.

 

[Killer223]

be sure to use the filter from the 96. it's a better design.

 

[Ozymandias]

Holly Molly, usually that Trans has to be serviced every 30K Miles, now, go figure at 158K how it will look like inside.
Better safe the money for a Trans overhaul then waste it for an exhaust, the stock 4" is just fine and flows more then enough, even with a tuner on it.

 

[CVR222NV]

Although a little late at 158,000 miles probably should add a 2 micron fuel filter before the CP3 and as mentioned keep a close eye on those injectors.

 

[Monroefiredog1]

Although a little late at 158,000 miles probably should add a 2 micron fuel filter before the CP3 and as mentioned keep a close eye on those injectors.[/QUOTE]

 

[Monroefiredog1]

CVR222NV What do you mean keep an eye on those injectors? Are they prone to go out before 200,000?

 

[Monroefiredog1]

Is there anything else that I need to do to the transmission to make it last a little longer while i am in there?

 

[Monroefiredog1]

Thanks for all of the answers and assistance!

 

[Monroefiredog1]

x2 on not flushing, It's not any of my business what you do to your truck but I agree 4" is plenty 5" is asking for attention and ire of those you live and commute around.

Before you do anything "additional" I'd make sure you can keep it working and on the road first. Fluids, suspension/steering, fuel delivery/injection parts. If you don't have receipts for previous work and parts installed plan ahead for them to fail, i.e. injectors....

Are those parts prone to fail in that year?

 

[tjm]

While I was in there I did the following :
https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/48re-neutral-safety-switch-insulator.270611/

 

[Darkbloodmon]

Are those parts prone to fail in that year?

There are plenty of write ups and posts about 04.5+ trucks with injector related engine failures, broken rings, etc. The TLDR essentially is : don't wait for an injector to fail, install BBI injectors +new tubes, install a better fuel filtration system if not installed already, use a "quality" engine oil; and change it in shorter service intervals or at rec. from oil analysis.

Take a look through the archives, its a topic that's been thoroughly discussed.

 

[Monroefiredog1]

Thanks Darkbloodmon, and tjm

 

[AEdelheit]

How the long injectors last is mostly determined by fuel quality, I have seen CR injectors go 500k plus and other fail at 50k with just 1 tank of bad fuel. The stock filtration in 2006 was not adequate and a bad injector can take out the engine depending on how it failed so that's why it can be worth replacing them before they fail then upgrading fuel filtration.

 

[tjm]

that is why i added a glacier diesel pre-filter. at 90k miles! hopefully my injectors will last. The do rattle like hell though.

 

[Timd32]

These are all in the standard manual as well I'm sure but here are some items to look over by the book.

The AT bands can be adjusted front and rear.

Not sure how well these PDF formatted. But you get the jist.

Unfortunately no way I would be able to do all this in one sitting, would take me a little bit to get this whole thing caught up on.

On the Band adjustments some folks do the turns a little differently as well based on overall experience, I'm not 100% on if there is a better number of turns to do for an 06.

Good luck and hope you enjoy your new ride.

 

[SSage]

158K on a 48RE is impressive, must have been ran very gently. Was it worked much at all? My 2003 was mostly highway miles hauling construction materials in the bed, trans was mush by 90K. But I was towing 10K tag trailers occasionally and a few pulls with a 40' 5th wheel. I thought it held up well.

Might want to get it serviced, check the pressures, adjust bands, fluid and filter change. I've tried other ATF options recommend by my trans builders, always liked the Valvoline or Mopar ATF +4 the best. My last 48RE goerend builder used a universal ATF. I thought it shifted too harshly, more like a bang than a shift. Wasn't my cup of tea, went to ATF+4 at 600 miles. So far so good, shifts much better than the stocker. I love the smooth shifts with 25 psi plus boost, it scoots and runs cooler!

 

[bigceltic]

Is there anything else that I need to do to the transmission to make it last a little longer while i am in there?

I added this kit https://www.dieselsite.com/dieselsitetransmissionfiltersystemdodge2003-200759l.aspx Super easy install and additional peace of mind. I have 178K and still going strong. Only upgrades I have done are the GM solenoid kit and a Mag Hytec deep pan. I use synthetic trans fluid and change at 30K.