EXACTLY! that means it was working PERFECTLY. now you need to go chanfe your fluid NOW. It will cause your transmission to give out.

 

What I have a hard time understanding is if it's done fine for 27 years on Dex fluid , why would it give out later down the road due to it ?

 

it didnt come from the factory that way. What makes you think its had dex for 27 years?

 

Owners manual and trans itself spec dex fluid.

 

I won't say it didn't, but for 1988, the service manual specified ATF+ .

Later it became ATF+3 and ATF+4.

TSBs now say to use ATF+4.

I don't know why you wouldn't ... ATF+4 is superior to Dexron/Mercon generic replacements (Mercon V and Dexron IV are better, but neither is approved for a Torqueflite automatic of any vintage.)

RwP

 

i would honestly like to see that. As well as the cover for said manual.

 

The ATF+4 is hard to find in my area since not many places stock it and it's $12 a quart at my local parts store. My Walmart does not stock it.

 

I concur with Ralph and Toby. I wouldn't put Dex in a Torqueflite transmission. As for the comment, hard to find???? Where do you live? ATF+4 is in abundance at all the regular auto part stores. It's also at my local Walmart for $4 a quart. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Super-Tec...-1-qt/17133940 If yours doesn't stock it, order it...it's free 2 day shipping. Lastly, you said the previous owner ran Dex for 27 years. You already said the previous owner didn't know what he was talking about in regards to the rear end...what makes you think he knows any better on fluid?

Anyway, I would use the best fluid I could...Dextron was used by Chrysler up until the early 90's....once they made the transition to the e class transmission (electronically controlled), they developed the ATF 3/4 fluid and recommended backwards compatibility to overdrive transmissions. You'd probably be okay if you run a quality Dextron IV fluid, but me personally, I use ATF +4. Definitely DON'T use Dex/Merc or Dextron III however. They aren't the same.

 

Tell you what, I'll ship you some for $8/quart.

You'll just have to pick it up at your local WalMart.

Or, you know, you can order on line for pickup yourself.

Getting the Mopar ATF+4 logo is all you really need to worry about.

If you really, REALLY wanted to be worried ... 5 liter bottles of Mopar brand ATF+4 are only $35 (!!!) which is cheaper than Valvoline at $9/quart.

Still under $12/quart.

RwP

 

I live in west Tn. And at the moment I don't have the money to change it due to issues with my house.