Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) which transmission fluid and why?

[2broke2smoke]

that's pretty much it ... gonna be gettin' a dtt ... would like it to last forever , not gonna tow and will change fluid every 10k ...

 

[Mactruck]

I believe Bill Kondolay recomends the Chrysler ATF 3 transmission fluid for his Transmissions. I know Scott from Massdiesel recomended that when I put in my DTT transmission.



But good isn't good enough for me so I use the Amsoil synthetic transmission fluid. (ATF 4+ rating). Smooths the shifts a little better. It's also a little slippier fluid so I f you run Really high horsepower it may slip the converter. I run at 400 HP and thats never happened to me.

It may be a bit too much fluid for you if you change it at 10,000 miles. (ie-$$$)



Just my 2 cents I let the others that are in the know pipe up.

 

[Cooker]

If you are going to change every 10k you might consider Dex III, or pick your favorite brand of +3 on the shelf. At 10k changes I personally wouldn't spend the extra $$$ on Amsoil, but you could easily run it past 10k if your preferred.

 

[JohnE]

Another option is using Dexron III with Lubeguard.

That's what my transmission rebuilder used.



edit:

Added link to Lubeguard

 

[klaybus]

Trans Fluid

I was told anything Plus III with the 7xxx number. So many choices, so much time! New fluid every 10k miles!

 

[Bob Wagner]

like Kevin, I use the amsoil atf+4 and I do tow a 30' 5er, if you feel the nned to swap fluids every 10k then mercon would work great for you (costco sells it cheap)



I really like the amsoil and it ben 30k miles and the fluid looks great.



I will do a service next spring

 

[John]

Re: Trans Fluid

Originally posted by klaybus

7xxx number.

That would be...



7176

 

[2broke2smoke]

thanks guys ... i've never liked autos and the first one i've had went out in 4k miles after i bought it with 86k ...

 

[RobertMiller1]

If it is a 2001 like your sig says....

Mopar ATF+4 and amsoil ATF+4 rated are the "correctly rated" choices.



10,000 miles is too often and wasteful. Run the amsoil, and run it longer safely.

 

[2broke2smoke]

"correctly rated" for mopar clutches and torque convertors but what about dtt's clutches and torque convertors ... and 10k may or may not be too soon depending on the temps the trans has seen... i could run a good brand name non synthetic off the (walmart) shelf every 10k cheaper than atf4 or amsoil, thanks for all the replies

 

[Bob Wagner]

costco sells mercon by the case for +- $11. 00

 

[RobertMiller1]

old favorite

I'd be happy to learn If my 28 year favorite. B&M TrickShift worked.



Haven't tried it in 47re yet. Now they have a synthetic.

 

[OTRPU]

God you guys, at 10,000 mi, I'd be changing fluid once a month. I sorta thought 30k was really gettin in there often.



Cheers,

Steve J.

 

[KBalzuweit]

I agree with steve at 10,000 I would be changing every 3 weeks. I am going to switch to amsoil on the next change and install my mag pan. If you are concerned abount the trans change the pan, run amsoil, and put in a guage and watch the temp.



Karl

 

[mcoleman]

I would not recommend B&M trickshift for anything with a lockup clutch. We wasted 3 high dollar lockup converters in the Buick before finding out that the trickshift was causing it. We had always used it in out T400 equipped cars with no problems but the high hp Turbo car with the lockup clutch didn't agree with it. This car also has over 500 foot pounds at the rear wheels. It's had Dex III ever since with no problems other than 2 twisted input shafts. Fixed that permanantly also.

 

[rblomquist]

Originally posted by KBalzuweit

I agree with steve at 10,000 I would be changing every 3 weeks. I am going to switch to amsoil on the next change and install my mag pan. If you are concerned abount the trans change the pan, run amsoil, and put in a guage and watch the temp.



Karl

You got to look at what your transmission builder recommends for a service interval. I'm getting an ATS put in my rig today and they call for a 15k change out. Probably most manufacturors are the same in that if you don't follow the service schedule you may have issues getting it replaced on their dime if something were to happen. From what they told me it's not so much about whether any oil i. e. Amsoil can lubricate for longer periods as it is about getting any wear by-products out of circulation.



Pans, gauges, and amsoil aren't a guarantee though. I had a DD pan, temp gauge and was running amsoil and my transmission was slipping. That's even with running the EZ on setting 3. Don't know about you guys but this 4k I'm shoveling out today is a MAJOR strain on our budget, I'm fine with going the perceived overkill route (15k changout) if it'll keep me from having to break the bank again soon.

 

[RobertMiller1]

yeah, mcoleman... . that is why I'm not running it. Went to B&Ms web site. seems they have completely given up on our transmissions. Never thought I would see the day. Their new synthetic is ok for locking converters, but is not recommended for electronic controlled transmissions. Wish they would get it together. Have a lot of faith in them over the years.



yet i ran trick shift in a 94 BPU Toyota Supra Twin Turbo with auto and locking converter with no problems at all.



I just hate to use a dexron type of fluid, much preferring to use an F type that does not slip as much and gives firmer shifts and does not generate as much heat due to slippage.



That is why Amsoil looks like the only alternative here... even though it is a dexron/mercon forumlation



I have seen where one 47RE transmission builder has on his web site, to use 50% Amsoil and 50% amsoil race (an F type I believe) as well as 1 qt (out of 11 in a deep pan) of 10w30 motor oil.

 

[RowJ]

Better every 10,000 miles than every 50,000, or every 100,000 miles, or not at all-until it breaks down! (We have all heard or seen that, right?). Going the "overkill route" is the cheapest insurance out there for trouble free transmission life 100,000 miles down the road.

2Boke, you are making a major investment in your transmission; whatever let's you sleep at night makes sense to me.

 

[2broke2smoke]

thanks for all the input guys, looks like +3 for me

 

[OTRPU]

My Broker is ATS. . . ATS having replaced my transmission/TC told me to change the fluid the first time at 10k. By my log I was able to land and have it done at alittle over 11k. At that time I went with Amsoil syn fluid. I neglected to carry additional fluid with me, hit a gator, which poked a small hole in the transmission cooler return line unbeknownst to me. Noticed some difficulty with reverse, checked the transmission fluid level down a half pint. What to do? No Amsoil, no syn at all. Finally found some and had the leak plugged. Next trip back to my Angola DOC, Dave's Diesel they changed out the fluid again. Detected only very little "normal breakin wear" replaced/cleaned the filter, refilled with Type 4 and sent me on my way. Decided to go with something that's more common.

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Cheers,

Steve J.