Transmission fluid change??

[indept]

One of the members here got 700,000 out of his ZF pulling travel trailers for a living using maxlife changed every 60,000 miles and the trans didn't fail. Just was cheaper to throw in a low mileage used than replace the solenoid pack that failed. Sure about the maxlife just not the change interval. That was enough to convince me the fluid was good enough.

That's who I quoted above, Verndiesel.

 

[BWL]

I didn't see that, but that is the member I was referring to.

 

[EdGs]

Agreed to split the cost to have the fluid changed.
Cost with all discounts over $650.00
Now waiting on Mopar to ship the pan.

Hope it is a new design with a drain plug.

Is that $650 your part?

Last December, my stealership quoted me $259 for the pan and $29/qt for the Mopar 8+9 speed atf, with 8.7qt capacity. $520 ish just parts at dealer.

Got my Mopar pan for $170 and 7 qts. OE fluid for $21/qt. at RockAuto. $340 shipped. My truck took 5-1/4 qts. to refill.

OE was my preference, but other forum members that used aftermarket pans and other fluids spent even less. The PPE pan costs a bit more, but gives extra capacity, plus is aluminum instead of plastic like the OE style pans. Plus they have replaceable filters as do other aftermarket pans.

May your service go smoothly.

 

[tfeni52355]

Just put a PPE Pan on my 2016 1500 Longhorn and changed the fluid to Valvoline MaxLife:

ZF8 - PPE Pan Install and D6 Changeout to Maxlife

Today I changed out my ZF8 transmission fluid and installed a new PPE Pan and Mopar gasket. I have been running Redline D6 for the past 10K miles after a pan and fluid changeout and after starting out OK the transmission seemed to slip from time to time, especially on the 2nd to 3rd shift. The...

www.ramforum.com

Truck shifts great now (no slipping) and transmission runs cooler. About 175-180 degrees with the PPE pan.

 

[EdGs]

One of the members here got 700,000 out of his ZF pulling travel trailers for a living using maxlife changed every 60,000 miles and the trans didn't fail. Just was cheaper to throw in a low mileage used than replace the solenoid pack that failed. Sure about the maxlife just not the change interval. That was enough to convince me the fluid was good enough.

That's amazing!

 

[Killingbugs]

After they get the pan/filter changed. I plan to drain and refill with fresh fluid after a year or so just to dilute/improve the fluid quality in the transmission.

 

[joesstripclub]

I bought a $30 pan off ebay and a OEM gasket (after the ebay one leaked) and some redline D6. I changed my fluid 3 times for under $300. Would be under $100 if you use maxlife, which I will probably switch to next time I change fluid.

 

[joesstripclub]

This is what my 'lifetime' fluid looked like compared to new OE fluid at 108,000 miles. Got her with 28,600 on the odo.

NO towing, and NO hauling by me either.View attachment 463860

My factory fluid looked pretty close to this with only 30k miles on it.

 

[skbball06]

The 8 speed IS a lifetime fluid. That said, not changing it will significantly decrease it's lifetime.

Lifetime referring to lifetime of the warranty thought correct? Still to long IMO. Fluid definitely lasts longer these days especially with a conditioner but I like 30k intervals personally

 

[skbball06]

This is what my 'lifetime' fluid looked like compared to new OE fluid at 108,000 miles. Got her with 28,600 on the odo.

NO towing, and NO hauling by me either.View attachment 463860

Lifetime fluid be careful they mean lifetime of the warranty not lifetime of the vehicle!

 

[skbball06]

My factory fluid looked pretty close to this with only 30k miles on it.

30k is the magic number for transmission fluid exchange for me as well. It is always dark which doesnt necessraily mean the fluid is bad but it is definitely oxidizing and breaking down. If I can only drain and fill I make sure to use a conditioner with the new fluid going in so that the old fluid left in the system doesnt contaminate the good stuff right off the bat. Interesting stuff!

 

[EdGs]

Lifetime fluid be careful they mean lifetime of the warranty not lifetime of the vehicle!

It definately looked to be beyond its end of life.

Didnt really have shifting problems per se, but it felt smoother after the change.

 

[MOPAR78]

Not sure if there are others on here, but I have close to 314,000 miles on mine. Never touched it. Original fluid & filter. Amazing transmission. I have a low mileage extra one setting in the garage for back up. Still trying to get funds together to complete my build.

 

[Killingbugs]

Well the transmission pan/fluid change is complete the truck shifts and runs great!!

Thanks for the information.

P.S. the wheels have been changed out to the 20" clad Laramie wheels since the first picture.

 

[EdGs]

Well the transmission pan/fluid change is complete the truck shifts and runs great!!

Thanks for the information.

P.S. the wheels have been changed out to the 20" clad Laramie wheels since the first picture.

Good to hear...

 

[BlownGP]

My factory fluid looked pretty close to this with only 30k miles on it.

What did you do about a filter?

I only have 30K miles too, but I'm **** about fluid changed.
So I don't know if I should just drain and re-fill or drain and swap the pan and filter? The damn filter online is $45 but I don't think it works with the OEM pan. Only the Dorman, which is $120.

What pan did you use that was $30?

 

[joesstripclub]

What did you do about a filter?

I only have 30K miles too, but I'm **** about fluid changed.
So I don't know if I should just drain and re-fill or drain and swap the pan and filter? The damn filter online is $45 but I don't think it works with the OEM pan. Only the Dorman, which is $120.

What pan did you use that was $30?

Ebay Link This is the pan I bought. I'm not sure but I think it is the V6 part number which takes the same pan as the V8, just an OEM-style pan with no markings. I did have a leak I had to fix which an OEM pan gasket took care of. Only difference I noticed was I ordered a pan gasket for a V8 trans and there is a hole in the pan where the gasket has a nub you use to align it, and the hole was in a different location so I just cut the nub off with some pliers. I also reused the stock pan bolts when I changed the gasket in case that was an issue. I think the ones they send are find but there were a couple I threw out because the torx head looked a little off.

 

[BlownGP]

Ebay Link This is the pan I bought. I'm not sure but I think it is the V6 part number which takes the same pan as the V8, just an OEM-style pan with no markings. I did have a leak I had to fix which an OEM pan gasket took care of. Only difference I noticed was I ordered a pan gasket for a V8 trans and there is a hole in the pan where the gasket has a nub you use to align it, and the hole was in a different location so I just cut the nub off with some pliers. I also reused the stock pan bolts when I changed the gasket in case that was an issue. I think the ones they send are find but there were a couple I threw out because the torx head looked a little off.

Thank you..

That's a good price

 

[joesstripclub]

Thank you..

That's a good price

Yes it is compared to everything else out there. Even with the OEM gasket you are way ahead. Same magnets, appears to be same filter, everything was identical as far as I could tell. I remembered some other users pointed it out a while back so took a shot at it and it seems to have worked out.

 

[CFCMatt]

Anybody have experience with both the PPE & the aFe Filters? Looking to change soon, wanted to get feedback on which route is recommended.

If there is another thread I should post in please let me know