So I have about 35,600 miles on the rig now and it is time for a tranny fluid change. I have not changed the fluid on her yet since I got her. When I bought her she had about 14,000 miles on the clock. So, when is it adviseable to change out the tranny filter? Can I just do a fluid change and be done with it or go the whole nine yards. Not really looking forward to dropping the pan, if I have to to, what a mess!

 

It's really not that hard. I bought a big plastic tub from wally world to put under the pan. Once I started loosening the bolts to the pan, the fluid would fall into the plastic tub. Not one drop on the drive way. Just make sure you measure the tub height so that it will slid under the truck. And yes I would do a filter change. Napa sells them for $16-19. And with all your mods, a new tranny too.

 

Yeah, I hear ya on the tranny . I guess I am willing to push the evelope! Did you reuse the gasket or have to get a new one, what is the torque spec and is the filter held on by some bolts or what? Thanks for the info man! Merry Christmas!

 

Most filter kits have a new gasket, a couple of torx bolts hold the filter up.

 

# 25 torx bolts(2 ea). Probably can reuse the gasket. Loosen the front bolts and drain some fluid, then remove the pan. Be careful of excess fluid when you remove the filter. Really an easy procedure.

 

The gasket is reusable. It is clearly stamped on the pan "reuse gasket." And as far as the filter goes, there is three t25 screws that hold it in place, make certain that you replace the filter that does not have the outer shell covering the actual element. I think that you'll have to go for a filter from an early 90's 47 trans. Also make certain to clean the magnet and the bottom of the pan very well before reinstalling the pan. The t25 screws should be torqued to I believe 14-18 inch pounds.

 

My filter on a 48RE has two torx screws.

 

Could be. I was thinking for some reason that it was 3. I stand corrected.

 

So how many quarts of ATF 4 do I need to use?

 

When I did mine (pan drop replace filter) mine took 6.5qts

 

Is there any way to get the fluid out of the torque converter and cooler easily? I suppose that is what the Lube places call a " Tranny Flush". Since just dropping the pan does not change all the fuild in the tranny correct? Doesn't the tranny hold a total of 12 quarts or something like that?

 

When I pulled my pan off the first time I took the time and went to the local hardware store and got a brass petcock valve and installed it in the edge of the pan. Now I can drop out 4 qts of tranny fluid every time I change the engine oil and not spill a drop. It made a twenty minute job an hour long job, but it was very worth it. The valve does not stick down below the pan so it can't get sheared off. I'm pretty **** about keeping my fluids changed out so for me it was well worth the hassle. I've since dropped the pan and changed out the filter again as well and it made that job much cleaner too.

 

I take 5 qts when I change the fluid & filter.

 

Well I did mine and all went smooth. Mine took 6 qts, that is all I had! Fluid is on the stick but not far engough into the crosshatches for my liking, just over the min line. It seemed as if the fluid never moved up even the more I added?! I will check it again tomorrow before work but so far so good, no leaks, drops into gear and goes. I did find alot of crud on my magnet though. Could be from the milage without a change, dont know when this was done since I bought the truck used or it could be from my programmer . Oh well, time will tell, thanks all for all the advice.

 

Disconnect COLD RETURN line at trans (the small hard line towards the rear of trans on driver's side of engine).
Then start truck in NEUTRAL.
Takes about 45 seconds to pump out one gallon of fluid at idle.