2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Which trans fluid?

[keimmmo]

Well, I'm down in central Mexico and feel I need to change the ATF on the '01. 5. Forget finding the new recommend fluid down here! Forget synthetics! Will good old Dexron III do the job? What other options might exist? Thanks for any information you can give me.



Steve

 

[parcher]

Personally I'd leave the Mopar ATF+4 in there until I could find a source of ATF+4. The factory stuff is much better than most people give it credit for. Tired ATF+4 is better than fresh Dexron any day of the week.

 

[illflem]

Originally posted by Dennis Garrett

When Dave Goerends built my new TC, and went through the transmission, they refilled the system with Dexron III. I ask about Chryslers ATF+3 or whatever, and this is what he told me. Chrysler has like two or three vehicles (small cars) that actually require the special Chrysler the +3 or 4. The truck transmissions actually do not require it, but to make it simple, they put the blanket requirement for all their transmissions, to make it a no-brainer. Mine's doing fine on Dex III, and it's a lot cheaper. He also recommended adding "Lube guard". I got it at NAPA.

Dave is a highly respected transmission man, his word is good. People who tell you not to use Dex are just reading the manual. If you do a search for Dexron you will find a lot of conflicting info, people who just read the manual vs transmission experts. Some folks even claim that Dex makes your trans shift better.

 

[parcher]

A very good friend of mine is retired from Texaco. He was a lube engineer (degree from Clarkson) he his not one to be led around by his nose. When he says that ATF+4 is superior to dexron, that's gospel as far as I'm concerned. D o what you wish with your vehicles but my automatics get ATF+4. I even use it in my 727 in my 1967 Coronet drag car.

 

[LSMITH]

Several of the very respected performance trans builders for our trucks use Dexron. If my transmission lives to the next change I will use dexron LOL.

 

[SnoKing]

From Bill at DDT:

http://www.dieseltrans.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=119

SNOKING

 

[illflem]

Bill's site just added more confusion for me, he called MERCON a GM fluid, I've always thought of it as Ford



Here are the most commonly specified ATFs:



DEXRON® -III

This is a specification for General Motors vehicles, but many foreign manufactures specify a DEXRON approved ATF as well. DEXRON-III can be used in transmissions that call for DEXRON-IIE or DEXRON-II.





MERCON®

Most Ford vehicles manufactured between 1980 and 1999 specify a MERCON ATF. ATFs that meet DEXRON-III requirements usually meet the MERCON requirements as well.





MERCON® V

Beginning in 1997, Ford began building transmissions for some of their large cars, trucks and vans that require a MERCON® V fluid. As of 1999, all Ford automatic transmissions require a MERCON® V fluid.





Type F

Type F is specifically designed for all pre-1977 Ford vehicles and some makes between 1977 and 1981. Effective March 1997, Ford discontinued administration of approvals for Type F fluids. However, there are still many vehicles on the road that use Type F. Type F and MERCON fluids are not interchangeable.





ATF+3® /ATF+4®

DaimlerChrysler has had their own ATF specifications for many years, but as of 1997, Chrysler owners' manuals no longer list DEXRON as an acceptable replacement. ATF+3 is a readily available mineral oil-based ATF that is suitable in any application calling for ATF PLUS® , ATF+2® , or a Type 7176® fluid. Vehicles manufactured after 1999 require ATF+4® , a synthetic-based ATF only available through DaimlerChrysler.





For more info go here http://www.chevron.com/prodserv/nafl/auto/content/atf.shtm

 

[SnoKing]

illflem

Read Bill statement again. I think he said NOT to use GM fluid. SNOKING

 

[chucksram]

This is the statement from Bill's site:

"In our won personal shop we use Dexron Mercron oil because its lts less likely to slip compared to the atf + 4 that Chrysler reccommends"

He forgot to put the slash between the Dexron and Mercon names.

Also he stated they are testing the use of motor oil in the trans. I am waiting to see the results of those tests.

Chuck

 

[LSMITH]

It should read Dexron or Mercon, call Bill and talk to him if there is any confusion.

 

[pwr2tow]

I know I'am going to flamed by someone for this but a year or two ago on the tdr Bill stated he used quaker state ATF+3. Confussing???? Maybe he's useing something different now by the way it looks.



Ron

 

[chucksram]

I looked at the Discussion Board for DTT. Bill said they were testing different oils in the Dodge trans. He said they were testing 30 wt motor oil. They should have some results sometime next year.

 

[KLockliear]

Being a DTT installer, I can say that we run the Dexron III/Mercon fluid in all the trucks initially. This does NOT have the friction modifiers that the +3 and +4 Chrysler fluids have, and cause a more positive shift with less chance of slippage.



Bill K. originally told us to do this, and if a customer complained of TC shudder or rough shifting, to add aftermarket friction modifier - to date we have never been requested to do this.



For synthetic, we run the Red Line Hi-Temp ATF, which is the equivalent synthetic of the Dexron III/Mercon (as far as the friction modifiers go).

 

[Blakers]

Dave Goerend recommended to me to run Dextron 3, unless I'm regularly going to towing 20,000 lbs or more. In that case, he said use 5W-30 synthetic motor oil. I'm using the Dextron 3 as I only tow a 5500 lb travel trailer and that is only a few times a year.



Blake

 

[Sky]

So basicly either oil will do the job. That should sum it up!

 

[Reb.B]

Mercon V IS THE BEST! hands down. I u want something better than u need a full synthetic(which is crazy money). Lube gaurd with the ahoba bean adds to.