8 Speed 8PH70 Question

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DavidinGA

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Wow the things some of you worry about...
 

NYCruiser

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Its lifetime fluid, so just add it to your will so whoever inherits your truck can worry about changing it when your dead.
 

BlownGP

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It's personal preference I suppose, I could sleep better at night knowing I had the German made 8HP. No real proof there is anything wrong with the 845re but it's newer and not nearly tried and true.

The basic design of trans has been around a while. It's proven reliably so far.

I'm just interested in seeing when trans tuning comes available, how many start to blow them.
 

RNLefever

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Found this on amsoil's website, doesn't say when to change but it does tell you how much

LUBRICANTS & FLUIDS: Lookup Another Vehicle
Engine Oil
Grade 1......API*[1]
Maximum Performance SAE 5W-20 Signature Series 100% Synthetic Motor Oil (ALMQT)
Performance Plus XL 5W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil (XLMQT)
Performance OE 5W20 Synthetic Motor Oil (OEMQT) All TEMPS......5W-20
Automatic Transmission,8HP70......SLF [2]
Signature Series Fuel-Efficient Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATL) (ATLQT)
OE Fuel-Efficient Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid (OTLQT)
Automatic Transmission,65RFE......AP4
Signature Series Multi-Vehicle Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) (ATFQT)
OE Multi-Vehicle Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid (OTFQT)
Standard Differential, Front 215FD......GL-5
All TEMPS......75W-85 [3]
SEVERE GEAR 75W-90 Synthetic EP Lubricant (SVGQT)
Limited Slip Differential, Rear C235 W/ LSD......GL-5*
All TEMPS......75W-140 [3] [4]
SEVERE GEAR 75W-140 Synthetic EP Lubricant (SVOQT)
80W-140 Synthetic Long Life Gear Lube (FGO05)
Standard Differential, Rear C235 W/O LSD......GL-5
All TEMPS......75W-140 [3]
SEVERE GEAR 75W-140 Synthetic EP Lubricant (SVOQT)
80W-140 Synthetic Long Life Gear Lube (FGO05)
Transfer Case,BW 44-45......SLF [5]
No AMSOIL Product Recommendation
Transfer Case,BW 44-44......SLF [5]
No AMSOIL Product Recommendation
Transfer Case,NV243......AP4
Signature Series Multi-Vehicle Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) (ATFQT)
OE Multi-Vehicle Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid (OTFQT)
Fluids
Brake Fluid......HB
AMSOIL Brake Fluid DOT-3 (BF3SN) [6]
[1] Use motor oil that is formulated to meet Chrysler MS-6395.
[2] Use only MOPAR ZF 8&9 Speed ATF Automatic Transmission Fluid
or equivalent. Failure to use the correct fluid may affect
the function or performance of your transmission.
[3] Synthetic Fluid
[4] Add 5 oz of Mopar limited-slip additive (MS-10111).
[5] MOPAR Transfer Case Lubricant P/N 68089195AA
[6] Hydraulic Brake Fluid, DOT 3
P/N 04318080AB or 04318081AB, meeting MS-4574
FILTERS:
Oil Filter Absolute Efficiency Oil Filter (EA15K50)
Air Filter Absolute Efficiency Air Filter (EAA176)
Air Filter WIX 42725 Air Filter
CHASSIS LUBRICATION:
0-2 Fittings, 0 Plugs..........LB
Synthetic Multi Purpose #2 (GLC3P)
Synthetic Water Resistant #2 (GWR3P)
DOMINATOR Synthetic Racing Grease NLGI#2 GC/LB (GRGCR)
CAPACITIES:
Engine, with filter..........7 quarts [1]
Cooling System, Initial Fill..........15.9 quarts
AMSOIL Antifreeze and Engine Coolant
Automatic Transmission, 8HP70 Initial Fill..........Not Specified
Automatic Transmission, 65RFE Initial Fill..........5 quarts
Automatic Transmission, Total Fill
8 speed 8HP70..........8.8 quarts
6 speed 65RFE..........12 quarts
Differential, C235 Without LSD Rear..........4.6 pints
Differential, 215FD Front..........2.3 pints
Differential, C235 With LSD Rear..........4.4 pints
Transfer Case, BW 44-44..........3 pints
Transfer Case, BW 44-45..........0 pints [2]
Transfer Case, NV243..........3.4 pints
[1] After refill check oil level.
[2] Fill transfer case to bottom edge of fill plug opening
TORQUES:
Oil Drain Plug.....25 ft/lbs
Transfer Case BW 44-44
Fill Plug 15-22 ft/lbs
Drain Plug 15-22 ft/lbs

Transfer Case BW 44-45
Fill Plug 15-22 ft/lbs
Drain Plug 15-22 ft/lbs

Transfer Case NVG 243
Fill Plug 15-25 ft/lbs
Drain Plug 15-25 ft/lbs
 

kemblkr

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Just drain and add

All you need to do is drain the fluid and add what you took out via a pump through the side fluid check hole. I will do this at 50k and every 25k miles after that.

Will consider a filter change as well but by then there will some aftermarket options.

The can say lifetime but I'll err on the side of caution.
 

CherryRed

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There are two plugs on the transmission. A drain plug, the one you see in the plastic pan, and a fill plug. The fill plug may be on the side or on the tail end of the transmission.

This is from ZF's documentation. The procedure from Chrysler is likely the same:

Transmissions fluid level checking.

1) The transmission fluid temperature must be between 30°C and 35°C before checking can begin. Use test equipment to determine the trans temperature.

2) The vehicle must be level with engine running at idle speed and air conditioning turned on.

3) Step on the brakes firmly, apply parking brake fully and shift to D and R, briefly pausing in each position before shifting back to the Park position.

4) With the engine running at idle speed and the selector in Park position, remove the filler plug. Monitor the transmission temperature, if a small stream of oil runs out at 40°C, the fluid level is correct.

5) If no oil runs out when the filler plug is removed, the fluid level is too low and oil needs to be added until it overflows.

6) With engine running, install the oil filler plug and tighten to proper torque.
 

raven3

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The reason for buying the 2015, Hemi was for the German 8PH70, ZF transmission as opposed to the Chrysler manufactured 845RE , 8 speed , licenced from ZF mated to the V6 Penastar.
Actually preferred the Penatar V6 with 3.55:1 differential to the hemi , but bought the hemi\8PH70 ZF truck for the transmission.
Some research showed the 845RE transmission valve body was totally replaced for 2015 model year, but even some of the early 2015 Penastar\845RE had the previous 845RE valve body. The is no way of knowing what valve body was assembled with the 845RE transmission, even by Vin #.
The 2012-2014, 845RE transmission had many issues. It would cost $1800 to replace the updated valve body,
which was the adder to go with German 8PH70 ZF 8 speed.

There is a commercial grade video posted on U- tube showing the8PH70 ZF operation.
The transmission goes not have any conventional fiber material clutch plates.
Therefore, the ZF transmission fluid is not contaminated with clutch material particles, requiring conventional fluid changes.
However, the transmission is only 100k warranty. Now have 200 k on 4 cylinder Honda transmission, but changed fluid on 60k OCI.

Agree, transmission level should be checked based on previous post.
 
Last edited:

clh1220

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There are two plugs on the transmission. A drain plug, the one you see in the plastic pan, and a fill plug. The fill plug may be on the side or on the tail end of the transmission.

This is from ZF's documentation. The procedure from Chrysler is likely the same:

Transmissions fluid level checking.

1) The transmission fluid temperature must be between 30°C and 35°C before checking can begin. Use test equipment to determine the trans temperature.

2) The vehicle must be level with engine running at idle speed and air conditioning turned on.

3) Step on the brakes firmly, apply parking brake fully and shift to D and R, briefly pausing in each position before shifting back to the Park position.

4) With the engine running at idle speed and the selector in Park position, remove the filler plug. Monitor the transmission temperature, if a small stream of oil runs out at 40°C, the fluid level is correct.

5) If no oil runs out when the filler plug is removed, the fluid level is too low and oil needs to be added until it overflows.

6) With engine running, install the oil filler plug and tighten to proper torque.

I will just trade mine at a100k , just like I've done with the last 4. Problem solved. That looks like a pain in the ass to get that right.
 

CherryRed

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I will just trade mine at a100k , just like I've done with the last 4. Problem solved. That looks like a pain in the ass to get that right.


Sure, it's not as easy as the old dipstick. A little more time consuming, but it's
not tough. After servicing, add fluid until it just starts to dribble out. Start the truck engine. Add more fluid until a little bit dribbles out. Put the fill plug in. Take the truck out and drive it around until the trans is at operating temp. Park on level ground, remove the fill plug and check/adjust as necessary.
 
OP
OP
SyN

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Hmm... Interesting my old thread was resurrected... Since I tow during the summer months off and on... I will drain the pan {Only} @ the 35K mile mark and add fresh fluid...

Maybe add this service every 50K miles... Figure it will take a total of 30min...
 
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clh1220

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Sure, it's not as easy as the old dipstick. A little more time consuming, but it's
not tough. After servicing, add fluid until it just starts to dribble out. Start the truck engine. Add more fluid until a little bit dribbles out. Put the fill plug in. Take the truck out and drive it around until the trans is at operating temp. Park on level ground, remove the fill plug and check/adjust as necessary.

What I mean by pain in the ass is, I hadn't changed the last 3 trucks I've had .My truck will be gone with the same fluid it came with. It's good to the 100k mile warranty. There is no service schedual for changing it in the manual. When ever I have changed transmission fluid ,I change the filter. So if you're just changing the fluid and not changing the pan with filter, you're only doing it half ass. I'll leave mine alone.
 
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SyN

SyN

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I e-mailed ZF on this matter a year ago! I wish I had saved the reply... I was told since I tow our TT during the summer months... ZF recommend dropping the pan and replacing fluid as well as the pan & filter since it is one unit @ the 60k mile mark and there after every 60k miles repeat...
 

CherryRed

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I e-mailed ZF on this matter a year ago! I wish I had saved the reply... I was told since I tow our TT during the summer months... ZF recommend dropping the pan and replacing fluid as well as the pan & filter since it is one unit @ the 60k mile mark and there after every 60k miles repeat...

Good advice!
 

CherryRed

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The reason for buying the 2015, Hemi was for the German 8PH70, ZF transmission as opposed to the Chrysler manufactured 845RE , 8 speed , licenced from ZF mated to the V6 Penastar.
Actually preferred the Penatar V6 with 3.55:1 differential to the hemi , but bought the hemi\8PH70 ZF truck for the transmission.
Some research showed the 845RE transmission valve body was totally replaced for 2015 model year, but even some of the early 2015 Penastar\845RE had the previous 845RE valve body. The is no way of knowing what valve body was assembled with the 845RE transmission, even by Vin #.
The 2012-2014, 845RE transmission had many issues. It would cost $1800 to replace the updated valve body,
which was the adder to go with German 8PH70 ZF 8 speed.

There is a commercial grade video posted on U- tube showing the8PH70 ZF operation.
The transmission goes not have any conventional fiber material clutch plates.
Therefore, the ZF transmission fluid is not contaminated with clutch material particles, requiring conventional fluid changes.
However, the transmission is only 100k warranty. Now have 200 k on 4 cylinder Honda transmission, but changed fluid on 60k OCI.

Agree, transmission level should be checked based on previous post.

Interesting.

I could see there being more than one company contract for supplying the valve bodies. My personal experience with the ZF 6HP 6-speed series of transmissions; both Bosch and Continental supplied the valve body conductor plates.
 

Monarch

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My BMW 525 has a ZF 5HP70 transmission which I serviced at 75K. The fluid is expensive, and by all accounts any other fluid will ruin the transmission in short order. The servicing is straightforward and no more difficult than any other AT. It also has no dipstick. One simply fills through the fill hole with a suction pump or other such device.

Also, a little clarity (courtesy of Wikipedia) on the "german built" transmission in our trucks.

"By 2013, in parallel with Chrysler Group, ZF had set up a new transmission production plant in Indiana, USA, where the 8-speed transmissions are to be produced. ZF Friedrichshafen and Chrysler Group have reached a supply and license agreement for ZF's 8HP 8-speed automatic transmission. Chrysler Group is licensed to produce the 8HP at the company’s Kokomo Transmission Plant and the Kokomo Casting plant, production began in 2013.".

BTW, the location of it's manufacture in no way diminishes my personal opinion of the transmission. Americans (employed by Packard) built every single Rolls Royce Merlin that went into the more than 15,000 P51 Mustangs built during WWII, and another 40,000 engines for the British Spitfire, Hurricane, and Mosquito during the war. USA, USA!!!
 

loveracing1988

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My BMW 525 has a ZF 5HP70 transmission which I serviced at 75K. The fluid is expensive, and by all accounts any other fluid will ruin the transmission in short order. The servicing is straightforward and no more difficult than any other AT.

Also, a little clarity (courtesy of Wikipedia) on the "german built" transmission in our trucks.

"By 2013, in parallel with Chrysler Group, ZF had set up a new transmission production plant in Indiana, USA, where the 8-speed transmissions are to be produced. ZF Friedrichshafen and Chrysler Group have reached a supply and license agreement for ZF's 8HP 8-speed automatic transmission. Chrysler Group is licensed to produce the 8HP at the company’s Kokomo Transmission Plant and the Kokomo Casting plant, production began in 2013.".

BTW, the location of it's manufacture in no way diminishes my personal opinion of the transmission. Americans (employed by Packard) built every single Rolls Royce Merlin that went into the more than 15,000 P51 Mustangs built during WWII, and another 40,000 engines for the British Spitfire, Hurricane, and Mosquito during the war. USA, USA!!!
That was also back when people took pride in their work, now not so much.
 

TruckNut

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..........
Also, a little clarity (courtesy of Wikipedia) on the "german built" transmission in our trucks.

"By 2013, in parallel with Chrysler Group, ZF had set up a new transmission production plant in Indiana, USA, where the 8-speed transmissions are to be produced. ZF Friedrichshafen and Chrysler Group have reached a supply and license agreement for ZF's 8HP 8-speed automatic transmission. Chrysler Group is licensed to produce the 8HP at the company’s Kokomo Transmission Plant and the Kokomo Casting plant, production began in 2013."......

I wouldn't trust Wiki on that info as they did not mention the 6/8 cylinder variations. I have read articles that said the original ZF was installed in the hemi models and the Chrysler built (licensed from ZF) 8 speed went in the v-6 models. (Early V-6 models had valve body problems.) Chrysler was to eventually produce all 8 speeds in the future under license from ZF. I don't think they're doing that yet....

Anyone else have any info on this?? 2016 Window stickers still differentiate between the 2 models. V-8 models list 8HP70 and V-6 models list 845RE.
 

loveracing1988

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I wouldn't trust Wiki on that info as they did not mention the 6/8 cylinder variations. I have read articles that said the original ZF was installed in the hemi models and the Chrysler built (licensed from ZF) 8 speed went in the v-6 models. (Early V-6 models had valve body problems.) Chrysler was to eventually produce all 8 speeds in the future under license from ZF. I don't think they're doing that yet....

Anyone else have any info on this?? 2016 Window stickers still differentiate between the 2 models. V-8 models list 8HP70 and V-6 models list 845RE.
The v6 and v8 have 2 different transmissions, that is why it says make or buy next to the transmission on the sticker on the earlier trucks and still probably says it on the build sheet. The v6 gets a lighter duty version, which is a variation of the 8hp45 that chrysler modified and then called it the 845rfe.
 
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