8hp70 fluid

[joesstripclub]

I did two or three drain and refills with redline first. I didnt have any specific issues but it did seem to want to flare or slip a bit more, could have been my imagination who knows. I think I did a couple more drain and refills with maxlife to get a good amount in there. I have almost 20k miles on the fluid so far including the revmax kit I installed. I towed my cargo trailer and SxS all over the mountains of Colorado last year without issue. Highest temp I saw on the trans was 165 climbing the Ike Gauntlet.

I think Burla posted the specs on the Lifegard vs Maxlife at some point and they are almost identical. Lifegard is also only a synthetic blend IIRC, so something like amsoil might actually be a higher quality fluid.

 

[Ram1683]

I did two or three drain and refills with redline first. I didnt have any specific issues but it did seem to want to flare or slip a bit more, could have been my imagination who knows. I think I did a couple more drain and refills with maxlife to get a good amount in there. I have almost 20k miles on the fluid so far including the revmax kit I installed. I towed my cargo trailer and SxS all over the mountains of Colorado last year without issue. Highest temp I saw on the trans was 165 climbing the Ike Gauntlet.

I think Burla posted the specs on the Lifegard vs Maxlife at some point and they are almost identical. Lifegard is also only a synthetic blend IIRC, so something like amsoil might actually be a higher quality fluid.

I love watch the TFL truck guys in YouTube do the ike gauntlet. Surprised the temp stayed that low. Somebody else on here had sad redline was a bit too slippery

 

[joesstripclub]

I love watch the TFL truck guys in YouTube do the ike gauntlet. Surprised the temp stayed that low. Somebody else on here had sad redline was a bit too slippery

I do like watching their towing tests. After driving it myself, I suspect they have quite a bit of editing to do with their footage. Up until they repaved last year the road was in pretty terrible shape and full of ruts and potholes. Between that and the inevitable traffic in the way I'm impressed they are able to make good solid runs.

As far as temps go, the oil temp started to sky rocket, I think I slowed down when I started to see over 260 so the truck was definitely working hard.

 

[MRFREEZE57]

I guess, I'm one of the few running redline and haven't had any issues so far. But after hearing all the stories, I'm going to be doing a couple of flushes with maxlife. Just haven't done it yet because it's -30C and F. When it gets this cold, the torque converter lockup doesn't work until it warms up a bit (usually a few blocks), so I can't really tell if it's slipping. What do tells you that it is? When warm, the engine RPM is the same as before.

I did a 3 time drain and fill with Redline, have run it 10k miles with no issues however the next time I do a fluid change will be with Maxlife not only do to good reviews but the lower cost.

 

[DA Smith]

I never fool with transmission service until over 100k miles. I have my delar service department take care of the service. I have never had a transmission issue with any of my Ram trucks over the years. Been using my same dealer since 1976.

 

[ramrod_2023]

I know Valvoline is popular, but not sure it has the additives ZF requires. According to ZF, "no other manufacturer is able to offer that".

 

[MRFREEZE57]

I know Valvoline is popular, but not sure it has the additives ZF requires. According to ZF, "no other manufacturer is able to offer that".

It makes you wonder, is the transmission really that particular of what flavor of fluid that is used?

 

[ramrod_2023]

Furthermore, see note from about Max Life from Valvoline: "It should be noted that Max Life Multi-Vehicle Transmission Fluid is not an OEM licensed product The respective vehicle manufacturers have neither evaluated or endorsed MaxLife in these applications."

On the other hand it says the following: "Use of MaxLife WILL NOT void the vehicles warranty." And goes on to say by law vehicle manufacturers are restricted from punishing you for using another brand or service as a condition of their warranty. (Which is the exact opposite of what the service rider at the dealership told me. He told me I could void the warranty if I change the filter/fluid EVEN IF I USE ZF FLUID/FILTER.)

 

[Ram1683]

I never fool with transmission service until over 100k miles. I have my delar service department take care of the service. I have never had a transmission issue with any of my Ram trucks over the years. Been using my same dealer since 1976.

I have a good friend that does something similar. He's got the old school train of thought.. Don't mess with it. If it blows, it blows. he'll just put a new unit in. But we're not dealing with th400's or TorqueFlite 727's anymore. That fear of changing the fluid and having it blow isn't really a thing anymore, Or at least anywhere near as much as it used to be. Some vehicles end up going to the junkyard with the trans fluid they left the factory with still in working order but I always saw those people as just lucky. I'm a mechanic and not changing fluids feels sacrilegious to me.. but I'm alittle bit of a nut. Between how well these things are built now and how robust the fluids are 100k under normal use should be completely feasible.

 

[farout75]

Picked up a new unit. Seeing what people are using.

best to stick with MOPAR, its costs $36.10 a quart. Change the filter pan when you do service it. It's costly no matter how you do it!