I have approx. 24K on my truck now. I read in the manual that the first tranny service is recommended at 30K. I tow just about everyday (fairly light...6K) and approx once or twice a month I tow 11K. All routine maintenance has been done to the T. But I havent done anything to the trans.

My question to you guys is this, Am I ok to wait till 30K or should I do something now(or should I have already done something)? I asked around at a tranny shop about service. The one shop said that they drop the pan, change the filter, flush the system from the pan, and put it all back together...for $250. Is that the way to go? I did some searching, and its about 50/50 on flushing the system. Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

Don't go for fancy (read) expensive trans flush. Just drop pan, Inspect, adjust bands(particurally KD band), change filter, clean magnet, reinstall pan with reuseable gasket. Add perhaps 5-8 qts of quality AFT+4 and be done with it. Use no snake oils.

 

I drain, drop pan, change trans filter, and replace pan and refill every 20k. No problems so far at 98k miles........even with the stock trans before I had mine built.


I am sure you are fine at 24K. But I wouldn't wait around on changing it. And I wouldn't take it to the dealer........you can do it yourself for just the cost of fluid and filter. It's easy.

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I'd do a FLIUD EXCHANGE and leave the filter till 60k at least.I've got buddy's that first filter change was at 100k with fluid exchange done every 30k towing moderate 24/7.Not much in the filter at 100k.Nothing of concern.I've done my autos like that for years and hundreds and hundreds of customers with great results and trans longevity.Trans life blood is fluid.Everyone uses the term trans FLUSH and while there are FLUSH machines out there I think they are fair and few.I've never seen one in use.What is used is a FLIUD EXCHANGE machine.Basically a big bladder with fresh fluid and a tank to hold the old.The TRANS is what moves the fluid from in to out.nothing else.Best thing to happen to a auto trans since its invention.It swaps fluid from trans,lines,coolers etc.I'd use as full synthetic also.Longer fliud life and a decrease in operating temp.If you do that and EXCHANGE it out now the NEXT time drop the pan,new filter and top off.www.amsoil.com

 

what is the capacity of my 04.5 4wd trans

 

Total fill 17 or filter replace only about 4 just looked it up on the Amsoil site.

 

Dodge told me it only took 4 qt's for filter change yet it took all most 7 qt's to refill it.

 

Mine took 6.5qts for just the filter change.

 

Yes mine took 7 litres with filter,did the bands myself,the only way!it shifts way better than new, incredible diff,makes me wonder what they did at the factory.

 

Im happy with the way mine shifts....I did lots of searching here and I think Im going to do a fluid exchange via the machine and leave the filter for the next time. I found another shop that will do the fluid exchange for $150. To me, thats worth not having to drop the pan in my driveway and dealing with all that old fluid.

 

Yep.Way to go.I handled no telling how many vehicles over a 5 plus year period daily the same way.The recheck scene of the pan being wet or leaks on vehicles with pans at a angle or straight up and down was cut immensely.Plus customers commented on the shift quality and torque converter lock up quality being improved.Never had those comments with a drop the pan service.

 

I have an 06 mega cab and I am at 36000. I just purchased the vehicle and would like to change the fluids. What does adjust the bands mean? I have an auto.

 

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...d.php?t=196423

 

just did mine yesterday dropped the pan changed the filter put it back together added about 7 1/2 Qt back seems to run great