Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) What transmission Filter Should I get?

[MKline]

I,m quite new here and I think this forum is great. You guys really seem to know what's going on with a diesel engine. Anyway I need to change my transmission fluid and filter, and I was just wondering if any filter will do or if I should stay away from certain brands?



Thanks, Matt

 

[bmoeller]

Welcome to the TDR.



Just get one from NAPA, or some other trusted parts store. Will be just fine. They are pretty much all made the same.

 

[Nate]

There are ones that are reusable.

 

[MKline]

Thanks guys. I'm just nervous about getting cheap crap.

 

[bmoeller]

There are ones that are reusable.

Never seen those. Have seen the re-useable rubber pan gaskets, though.

 

[Nate]

The reusable ones are a brass screen. I was talking to one of the transmission guys on here (Hawk?) and he said it didn't filter as well. I ended up getting the kit from Napa.



They carry 2 kinds, one had the filter encased in a plastic case, the other does not. I got the one that doesn't. (less money). I'm not sure what is better?

 

[Regcabguy]

Mag-Hytec

The reusable ones are a brass screen. I was talking to one of the transmission guys on here (Hawk?) and he said it didn't filter as well. I ended up getting the kit from Napa.



They carry 2 kinds, one had the filter encased in a plastic case, the other does not. I got the one that doesn't. (less money). I'm not sure what is better?

Call Mag-Hytec. Gaskets are $3. 50 and filters are $2. 00 ea. Get a pan while you're at it. Spoke to them Friday.

 

[y-knot]

For the price of a transmission service kit (filter and gaskets) I would not concern myself with a re-useable filter. The extra cost and mess would not seem to offset any benefit. Brands are not the issue, rather service frequency is. The transmission is most probally the most neglected system on the truck, and yet has to be one of the most important systems. Change your filter and fluid, and adjust the bands by the book. If it is possible, replace the fluid with a quality synthetic, and consider a better pan. A great place for transmission service kits is www.proweldperformanceparts.com . Good luck

 

[Nate]

I change it every 15k. I run whatever is cheap oil, usually the Walmart brand Mercon/Dextron.

 

[MKline]

The transmission is most probally the most neglected system on the truck, and yet has to be one of the most important systems.

I would have to agree with you, I'm guilty of the neglect. You should have seen the bottom of my pan and the old filter. I don't think I will let it go that long next time.

 

[biggy238]

I buy mine at napa... thay have two kinds, one cheapo lookin' deal with a quark gasket and open filter media and another one with a reusable gasket and a better looking filter... the second one is actually what my truck had on it when I bought it so that's what I run with... .



I've been changing mine at 25,000 mile intervals (I thought that was the recommended for non-towing) and found about a dime worth of metal shavings in the pan. Invest in the B&M drain plug while you are in there. . my NAPA had one in stock. IT's well worth it and the pan has to come off anyway.

 

[Nate]

I already have a drain on my pan, though I'm going to put a deeper pan on when I change the filter. Stock pan is twisted too much and doesn't seal very well.



From what I saw on the "better" filter, it is just the "cheap" filter media with the plastic encased around it. Not sure if that is the case. The "better" filter was $13, cheap one was $8. I have a resuable Mopar gasket, so I just checked the prices on the filter, not the kit with gaskets.



I change mine every 15,000miles (same as the diffs and T Case) which ends up being about once a year.

 

[Nate]

What phone # did you call? 818-786-8325?



I talked to a lady, she said the filters are $17, that Jerry is the guy that takes care of that and he wasn't around. For such a well known brand, it seemed to me like if was something run out of a guys garage by a lady with a **** poor attitude.

Call Mag-Hytec. Gaskets are $3. 50 and filters are $2. 00 ea. Get a pan while you're at it. Spoke to them Friday.