Cumminsdude

How do you change your tranny fluid and filter. I'm thinking of doing this to prolong the life of my tranny. How much fluid does it take and how often should I change it. Anyone have any recomendations for replacement fluid? I was thinking of the amsoil synthetic tranny fluid but not sure how much it costs. Thanks

dcwm

I'm racking my brain and I can't remember how many quarts...I quess you call that a senior moment. I do think that If you convert over to Synthetic you will need to have the old oil flushed out first.

Anyway, I cut the bottom 1/4 off of a plastic drum making a large pan to catch the nasties, loosin the oilpan toward one corner for the worst but eventually you have to let her rip all at once....hence the large pan.

The filter is pretty simple and self explanatory.

Adjusting the bands can make a big difference on how your rig shifts, sure did mine. You'll want to do this, there is a real good step by step instruction in the Tech facts and/or in Dodge ram.org. Haynes has a good step by step as well.

I replace with factory recomended oil (works great for me) every 15K.

You can raise the front of the truck up by running onto ramps therefore helping to drain the Torque Converter.............*right guys?*

I found it to be a pretty easy job really. Make sure you inspect the bottom of the oil pan for dirt, grime and most important METAL.

I'll say it again, get yourself a Haynes or Chilton manual, you will never regret spending the hides on it.

Good luck and have fun

Cumminsdude

Where do I get one of these books? Also do I have to have to get a new pan gasket?

Wouldn't it be better to flush my tranny if I am going to use synthetic? I dont know when if its ever been done because I bought the truck used.

Does anyone have the link to the band tightening and is it hard to do? Will it be better to do this now that I have an ez? THANKS

dwaneo

approx 4 qts in the tranny,17qts with the converter,if i was just going to do the tranny i woulnt use amsoil and mix it with something else,defeating the purpose of amsoil, it is a little expense initially but in the long run it pays for it self.

Dr. Evil

I have been told by a 25 year transmission tech to NOT use synthetic in a Dodge auto. and that its better to just chage oil often rather than "flush" the system....I know it doesnt rellay sound right, but that is his experience and recommendations.

Marine

Flushing the tranny is another do/don't do deal. Some say that by flushing it, you will get more internal leakage. I don't know. I had it flushed at the dealer when I had my first trans filter changed. Since then I've been doing the filter and bands myself.

From Bill Kondolay:
47RE Front Band, left side of trans case on the outside:
Loosen locknut, back off 3-5 turns, ensure that the tork screw (older models 5/16 square head) turns freely in case. Apply lube to threads if necessary.
Tighten adj screw to 72 in lbs back off adjustment screw 2 - 2 1/4 turns. Hold adj screw and tighten locknut to 30 ft. lbs.

   Band adjustments especially the front band are critical because of the Dodge shift pattern. A dodge trans shifts 1-2, back to 1st then into 3rd.
If the 2nd band does not release before the third gear clutches come on, you will have a bind up which will shorten the life of the transmission. I usually go a little looser than factory specs on this front band.
Depending on the circumstances i have backed off the band
up to 2 1/2 turns.

47RE Rear Band, inside transmission next to valve body. It can be identified by the fact that there is only one lever with an adjusting screw and locknut. (right side) Loosen locknut, back off 5-6 turns, ensure that adj screw turns freely in lever. Tighten adj screw to 72 in. lbs., then back off 2.5-3 turns. Hold adj screw and tighten locknut to 25 ft. lbs.

Pan bolts to 13 lb ft
Filter- torx 25

From Marine:
Front bands- torx 30- wobbly and u-joint, 3+6”ext
¾” long wrench for jam nut

Rear bands- adjusting screw-1/4” 12 pt
9/16” wrench for Jam nut

Mike

dcwm

C.D.
Here is a link to a lot of good info, for trans. stuff scroll down.

http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/repair/index.html

You can buy a Haynes manual at Auto Zone or just about any auto parts store.

Hope thsi helps ya.
Don

jigdog

dude. i changed over to amsoil about 8k ago and my trans temp droppe 15-20 degrees.synthetic is better for the colder temps and the hotter temps. i had mine flushed at the same time to get reg oil all out.that what service guy recommended and i am happy with the performance so far.i got the amsoil through a friend who's neighbor is a dealer at his cost $5 a quart in 5gal containers. ; ;D

kandgo

Flushing a old trans would be more likley to move sludge/trash around and push it in the valve body, as a new trans, that is a more acceptable risk,if tranny is new change it/flush it out to synthetic,if old just drain and filter, That is my opinion, Goodluck Rick

Marine

Here is my take on trans flushes- don't do it. Had it done at the dealer at around 30,000 miles. Since then, it runs hotter. It hardly ever got above 140 except in 4WD. Now it gets to 180 in town driving.

Mike

donyo

My DTT converter has a drain plug! ;D ;D ;D

I agree that if the tranny isn't fairly new, don't do the power flush. It only moves the sludge around and clogs the VB and other very small orifices inside the tranny. Still running the Castrol ATF +3 that Bill put in after the initial break in oil was drained. Will be going to Amsoil Universal ATF at the next scheduled change.

If you drop the pan to drain the oil, it is also a good idea to "loosen" the VB bolts just a bit. It gets out more oil up there. Of course, if you don't drain the TC, not much point here. If you are going to be doing your own tranny oil changes, the Mag-Hytec pans are nice because they have a drain plug. Still have to take the pan off the change the filter and adjust the bands, but it eliminates a lot of the mess!!

Marine

Don- I am in Spokane all the time. I sure would like a spin in your DTT equipped truck...

Mike

donyo

[quote author=Marine link=board=4;threadid=23846;start=0#msg226682 date=1071892520]
Don- I am in Spokane all the time. I sure would like a spin in your DTT equipped truck...

Mike
[/quote]

Spokane is about 5 hours away, but next time I head that way I'll be sure to let you know.

Marine

I thought Port Orchard was in the Valley. :

Mike

donyo

[quote author=Marine link=board=4;threadid=23846;start=0#msg226697 date=1071893915]

I thought Port Orchard was in the Valley. :

Mike
[/quote]

It is about an hours ferry ride west of Seattle, or an hours drive through Tacoma and across the narrows bridge.

If you want a ride in a DTT rig, I'm sure there are some running around Spokane area. Check out some of the other boards, I know there are several NWBombers that live in eastern Washington and northern and western Idaho.

Once you have driven an modified automatic you will wonder how the stock unit ever made your truck move!!