just drained transmission fluid and adjusted bands for my 97 12V auto with BDP "47RE" transmission.

had a little fun trying to figure out what tranny I actually had. spec's in Haynes manual are different from band tech articles listed at DTR.
went with spec's here instead of Haynes.

DTR faq for transmission has a nice writeup on how transmissions work. arthor is running hydralic fluid instead of ATF fluid.

Is anyone else running hydralic fluid? if so what brand and type?
or should I go with +4 or +3 ATF fluid?

my tranny has aprox 6-7 quarts drained, band adjusted, drain plug installed, new filter and waiting for a refill.

thanks,

 

The folks at the esteemed diesel tranny builders DTT tried hydraulic fluid for awhile and didn't like what it did to their trannys, went back to ATF. As far as I can recollect the only person I've ever heard of touting the benefits of hydraulic fluid is the fellow in the FAQ section.

Heck with the +3 or 4, I've been using Dexron ATF plus two tubes of Lube-Gard black as recommended by DTT for over 200k trouble free miles.
Check it out http://www.lubegard.com/automotive/trans_atf_hfm.html

 

whew... thanks for the feedback. was getting to ready to run for hydralic fluid or +4 sythetic ATF

where do you find Lube-Guard? hmmm plain Dextron + lube-guard.

can't argue with solid results! how heavy of a load do you pull?

 

OK... ended up going safe by using Valvoline ATF 4+ all synthetic fluid.

later I can add lube-guard once I get more feedback.

took 7 quarts to fill because I partially dropped the valve body. that leave aprox. 5 more quarts to even up.

have not drove except test drive around the block. but everything seems to be shifting fine so far....

 

Lube-Gard is availible at most autoparts stores.
I get mine at Napa.

 

HUGE improvements in shifting!

distinct crisps shifts now. adjusting bands made a huge difference.
new fluid helps too.

thanks for tips for lube-guard at Napa.