2003 Cummins 47RE Trans - Which ATF?

[Stoffregen Motors]

Hi all.

Getting ready to do a trans service on my 2003 4x4 and I can't for the life of me, remember which ATF I used last. I have a gallon of Valvoline synthetic AFT+4 in the trailer labelled "Dodge Trans", but I don't recall using that.

The trans in my truck is built, meaning it has two different shift kits, a heavy duty GM shift solenoid, deep aluminum oil pan and a billet converter. And I do haul heavy loads.

So what ATF are you guys using for heavy towing?

 

[tjfdesmo]

Should be ATF +4 unless your specific mods require something different, which is unlikely.

 

[HemiLonestar]

What does your owner's manual say?

 

[18CrewDually]

ATF+4

 

[Stoffregen Motors]

Right. ATF+4 is the recommended fluid from new. But I was wondering if you guys had any thoughts on alternate fluids.

I had a schooling a few years ago by my transmission rebuild guy. When I asked him which fluid to use (in a different build) he gave me a quick lesson in ATF. It's basically new vs old. The fact that there are so many different specs from OEM is a joke.

 

[18CrewDually]

Right. ATF+4 is the recommended fluid from new. But I was wondering if you guys had any thoughts on alternate fluids.

I had a schooling a few years ago by my transmission rebuild guy. When I asked him which fluid to use (in a different build) he gave me a quick lesson in ATF. It's basically new vs old. The fact that there are so many different specs from OEM is a joke.

NEW off the shelf components like friction clutches, are made to use the latest version of the OE fluid. If your trans was recently rebuilt it will use ATF+4 for the application. Plus, the +4 supersedes the prior versions.
Using anything else is experimental and may affect the life of the friction disks.