2020 ram 1500 Hemi 5.7 8 speed transmission Service

[Chris19]

I am at 102K on my 2018 Rebel, and I can say there is a marked "drop off" of the trans performance at 100k. Up to the mid-90's, the 8HP70 was rock solid. Now at 102k+, it struggles to shift into first when cold from a stop sometimes which is terrifying me, as I don't want to have to do a tranny swap. So the PPE pan is coming, with a new gasket, and jacks/stands to lift the ass of the truck. Just trying to figure out which unicorn fluids I want to put in.

Any updates on the service and the results, also which fluid did you choose. I'm in the process of ordering a ppe for my 14' that just rolled over 200k km and heard they're the best. Cheers

 

[Wild one]

Any updates on the service and the results, also which fluid did you choose. I'm in the process of ordering a ppe for my 14' that just rolled over 200k km and heard they're the best. Cheers

Canadian Diesal in Loydminster AB is the cheapest place i've found to buy the PPE pan from.Pay attention to what you're ordering as there's a 1 quart and 2 quart bigger PPE pan,personally i'd go for the 2 quart bigger pan,but that's just me.That's whats been on my truck for the last 8.5 years

https://www.canadiandieselonline.ca/search?custitem_mhi_fitment=2016_Ram_1500_3.0L-DIESEL&custitem_mhi_part_category=Pans-and-Covers

 

[Sherman Bird]

Hello all, I’m new to forums so be nice. I have a 2020 Ram 1500 Hemi 5.7 with an 8 speed transmission. The current mileage is 61,000.
I have a warranty until 110,000 miles on the power tran. I have been hammered since my 30k service to service/flush the trans. A trans flush is never to be done from what I have heard.
I asked 2 other techs with another dealer about the trans service. First guy said we can do a service which involved a pan/filter replacement and fluid refill or a trans flush meaning no Pan/filter replacement.
The second guy said that he had been told from the techs on the floor that you never do a flush on a trans and don’t even think about the trans until 90-100K. Then he said read your manual in your glove box and if it doesn’t say to do it, don’t.

My manual does not say anything about trans service all the way through 230k. There is a section in the manual that says,

Fluid And Filter Changes
Under normal operating conditions, the fluid installed at the factory will provide satisfactory lubrication for the life of the vehicle.
Routine fluid and filter change are not required.

My question is, what do I do. I don’t tow or off road. I drive freeway back and forth freeway 50 miles a day.

Thanks for the response. This is my first new vehicle and want to take care of it.

Let's see now.... Change the trans fluid every 60,000 miles if you intend to keep the truck long term. I was a transmission specialist for Ford ang GM totaling 27 years; Formally trained at the factory schools.

Automatic transmissions are voodoo-ized like some sort of "magic box" by ignorant buffoons with ignorant advice.
Transmission fluid has a finite service life, based upon major variables such as towing, living and operating the vehicle in severe climates, such as here in Houston (S.E. Texas), commercial or severe frequent use as in short trips, and so on.

The nay-sayers that tell you to "never" flush a transmission leave out the "WHY" that might be.
I flush transmissions all the time successfully, but under very strict guidelines.

In short, if you buy a truck brand new and are TRULY diligent about ALL your maintenance, and you are wanting to flush the trans while it still operates properly and doesn't have any internal problems, then do it.
The urban narrative on "never flush" involves the scenario where a guy has a vehicle and doesn't do diligence on maintenance. Then, after neglecting his vehicle for many many miles, he thinks flushing the trans is going to help, he has unrealistic expectations. This is a disclosure all too often left out which perpetuates an erroneous belief.

IF you change the filter and fluid every 60K, a flush should never be necessary.

 

[DILLIGAF]

Canadian Diesel in Lloydminster AB is the cheapest place I've found to buy the PPE pan

Thats were I got mine And used my Sons 20% off at Walmart to buy the Valvoline Maxlife

 

[Chris19]

Canadian Diesal in Loydminster AB is the cheapest place i've found to buy the PPE pan from.Pay attention to what you're ordering as there's a 1 quart and 2 quart bigger PPE pan,personally i'd go for the 2 quart bigger pan,but that's just me.That's whats been on my truck for the last 8.5 years

https://www.canadiandieselonline.ca/search?custitem_mhi_fitment=2016_Ram_1500_3.0L-DIESEL&custitem_mhi_part_category=Pans-and-Covers

that’s been

Canadian Diesal in Loydminster AB is the cheapest place i've found to buy the PPE pan from.Pay attention to what you're ordering as there's a 1 quart and 2 quart bigger PPE pan,personally i'd go for the 2 quart bigger pan,but that's just me.That's whats been on my truck for the last 8.5 years

https://www.canadiandieselonline.ca/search?custitem_mhi_fitment=2016_Ram_1500_3.0L-DIESEL&custitem_mhi_part_category=Pans-and-Covers

I saw they have those options, the 2 quart is the one then. Also, what is the go to fluid? I’ve seen numerous posts about who uses what fluid and read different opinions. If I were to change to a different fluid like max life, would the difference in fluid cause any issues? I know when you service the trans there is still some left, will mixing the fluid do anything.

 

[Wild one]

I saw they have those options, the 2 quart is the one then. Also, what is the go to fluid? I’ve seen numerous posts about who uses what fluid and read different opinions. If I were to change to a different fluid like max life, would the difference in fluid cause any issues? I know when you service the trans there is still some left, will mixing the fluid do anything.

I've only ever used the OEM 8/9 speed fluid,so can't really comment on how Maxlife mixes with the factory fluid,but lots of guys are using it and liking it,and it is noticably cheaper then the OEM fluid.
What part of Canada are you in?

 

[Chris19]

I've only ever used the OEM 8/9 speed fluid,so can't really comment on how Maxlife mixes with the factory fluid,but lots of guys are using it and liking it,and it is noticably cheaper then the OEM fluid.
What part of Canada are you in?

Fair enough, south western Ontario. Been looking around on websites and get drastically different prices. Also, how many litres should i get to be safe, especially upgrading to the ppe pan.

 

[Wild one]

Fair enough, south western Ontario. Been looking around on websites and get drastically different prices. Also, how many litres should i get to be safe, especially upgrading to the ppe pan.

If you ordered the 2 quart bigger version,you'll probably want at least 7 maybe 8 quarts on hand.

 

[PaleFlyer]

Any updates on the service and the results, also which fluid did you choose. I'm in the process of ordering a ppe for my 14' that just rolled over 200k km and heard they're the best. Cheers

I put the valvoline maxlife in that the rest of the forum says to use.

removing the old pan was a PITA, and I don't own an arbor press to put the "bushings" in the PPE pan from the OE pan. Otherwise, it wasn't too bad. Had a bunch of the MaxLife ready to go, an 8cc pump for them, and a buddy to hit the gas.

 

[MRFREEZE57]

I put the valvoline maxlife in that the rest of the forum says to use.

removing the old pan was a PITA, and I don't own an arbor press to put the "bushings" in the PPE pan from the OE pan. Otherwise, it wasn't too bad. Had a bunch of the MaxLife ready to go, an 8cc pump for them, and a buddy to hit the gas.

I just reamed out the holes in the PPE slightly so could insert the bushings.

 

[PaleFlyer]

I just reamed out the holes in the PPE slightly so could insert the bushings.

I actually don't mind that the PPE "holds" the bushings so well, just didn't expect it, so didn't buy spare bushings and pre-load them.

 

[DirtyHippo]

Canadian Diesal in Loydminster AB is the cheapest place i've found to buy the PPE pan from.Pay attention to what you're ordering as there's a 1 quart and 2 quart bigger PPE pan,personally i'd go for the 2 quart bigger pan,but that's just me.That's whats been on my truck for the last 8.5 years

https://www.canadiandieselonline.ca/search?custitem_mhi_fitment=2016_Ram_1500_3.0L-DIESEL&custitem_mhi_part_category=Pans-and-Covers

is that link showing just the filter? or is it filter and pan? $36 seems cheap for a pan and filter....

 

[Wild one]

is that link showing just the filter? or is it filter and pan? $36 seems cheap for a pan and filter....

Scroll over to the ZF pans they're a bit more at $400+,lol.
There's a 1 quart and 2 quart bigger pan,so pay attention to what you're ordering.

 

[js12278]

I swapped mine out for the PPE pan and replaceable filter at 70k. Fluid looked used, but it wasn't bad. Maybe 5% or so of those miles are towing 5-8k lbs.

Swap was a bit messy, but pretty straight forward following acouple of the threads on this site and a YouTube video or two. Hardest parts were getting the old pan out and getting the final top off completed correctly. I had a Amazon hand pump that helped ALOT, but took forever.. in hindsight I should have bought a powered pump.

Or you can make your own pressure pump with a 2 gallon pump sprayer. I made mine 2 gallon because I didn't want to stop and refill until procedure was complete.