Hi everyone,

I am looking to change my tranny fluid and filtersthis weekend. I already ordered all the parts except for the fluid. I know the fluid is ATF+4 and was reading that I should use to authentic mopar tranny fluid to avoid any problems. Is this correct? Should I just go to the dealership and get mopar?

My durango is 4.7 2000 btw.

I have the durangos manual and it says I could have 1 of several transmissions:
42RE, 44RE & 46RE . . . . . . . 9.1-9.5 L (19-20 pts.)
45RFE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13.33 L (28.0 pts.)

I haven't crawled under the car yet but if someone could shed some light on which transmission I got and how many quarts I need I would appreciate it!

 

if you have the 4.7l v8 then you have the 45RFE so you need 28 pts. or 14 quarts, which is 3.5 gallons of atf +4


i believe any ATF +4 will work, but if you are worried buying from the dealer will ensure you get the right stuff

 

shrpshtr325 thanks for the reply buddy,

Holly cow 14 quarts! Is that if you are doing a full flush? I just read that if you drop the pan and change the filter its not nearly as much. Now I am wondering what everyone recomments full flush or drop pan and filter.

 

You are gonna be told not to have a full flush done, but you should for the first one then do a filter/fluid change every 30k. I go my info from a Master Tech. I treated my X's brand new Nissan Quest this way and when it reached 160k the tranny still never missed a beat. And I never did the filter.

Walmart's atf+4 is just as good as any other. Used this in the Quest too.

If I remember right 10qts should do a pan drop and t-case exchange.

 

14 quarts is a full system fill, but if you only drop the pan it will be less (i want to say 8-10 but im not 100% sure anymore)

and DO NOT FLUSH the transmission, it causes WAY more problems than it solves(unless you want your wallet to be thinner????, idk maybe thats what you want)

 

If you drop the pan and replace both filters and add fluid you should use between 6-8 quarts. If you are doing a clean system fill (meaning lines, cooler, radiator, trans) the whole shabang then yes 14 quarts or so. But the only way to do this is to purge the system into a bucket after the pan drop and filter replacement. https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...nsmission.html

 

Thanks for all the info fella's (I read that full flush thread). I def do not want to thin my wallet My truck has just 100k miles. Fluid was changed at 50k. This will be my first attempt to change the tranny fluid on any car. A little nerve racking.

You know I forgot to ask what fluid do you use to clean the pan once you drop it?

Anyone know where the best place to get the mopar fluid aside from the stealership?

 

Hi all just pulled this from the manual:

"The fluid capacity of the 45RFE is approximately 13.25 liters (14.0 quarts)"

 

I am not going to get in the pros/cons of flushing..........NOT!!!!

Yes I am....based on previous experience, and other members experiences, I recommend AGAINST flushing. Flushing has been known to cause more problems than it solves.

Note on your transmission, I am not sure if the 45RFE has a drainplug on the pan but look closely. I have the 545RFE and it doesnt. I understand factory procedure is to vacuum syphon fluid out through fill tube and then drop pan, otherwise it is very messy and have a very wide drain pan available.

I know it is a bit pricey at least it was for mine but if you have any plans on keeping the D then I would check into MAG-Hytec pans, mine was about $300 but will pay for itself over a couple of trans fluid changes by being able to to it yourself because you will be able to drain the fluid yourself and remove the pan and filters. The other advantage is since you can do the labor yourself you can do it more often and keep the transmission lasting even longer. This pan also comes with new allen screws and even the allen wrenches required and a blank off plate for application of a transmission temp sensor should you decide to install one.

Napa sells a filter kit, this is the flat filter and gasket......Set gasket aside...... details later.

The 545RFE has two filters, the flat blade type and a secondary spin on type usually available at dealer. If you are unsure about the layout, check prior to dropping the pan.
I am not sure the layout of the 45RFE so ask around.

RTV: This is one of the few exceptions where I will recommend dealer involvement. Ask for the Mopar Hi temp RTV that is used for transmission pans.

The gasket I talked about earlier, use RTV instead. Basically, some members will say use gasket or RTV with the majority recommending RTV!!!

DO NOT USE BOTH!!! Trust me it will leak!! The RTV if allowed to set up correctly and dry will be much better than gasket.

Fluid: My personal recommendation is Valvoline ATF+4...it is reasonably priced (as far as ATF+4 is......about $5.50/quart.) commercially available at most chain auto parts stores, AutoZone/Advance/Napa/O'Reillys....etc...my last batch was purchased at the local NAPA Valvoline ATF+4 is on the Chrysler engineering department list for approved MOPAR ATF+4 substitutes and has been good to me.

Side note two: Get a couple of quarts extra for the fluid change. Nothing more of a pain in the #$$ than running out of fluid mid change. You should be able to return it if you dont need it as long as the safety seal isnt broken.

Clean pan and remove/inspect magnet in the pan a small amount of magnetic material maybe normal as in fine metal shavings...if you get major parts or excessive material you may have other problems.

It sounds like you have a pretty good idea on whats going on, I won't insult your intelligence. The notes are "Lessons Learned" from my previous experiences with changes. but I have had real good luck with the Valvoline ATF+4 fluid.

Side note three: If yours has the second filter (The spin on oil filter type) then dealer might be way to go. Check while you are getting the Mopar RTV sealant.....The sealant should last two filter changes if you use it correctly.


Side note: Pay attention to the bottles......follow the lot/batch numbers on the bottle.....Make sure that you get all the bottles in the same lot/batch number with the same expiration date. It may be my old military thinking but keeping them the same makes things easier.

MAGIC

 

This stuff about tranny flushes is a thing of the past. The machines now just merely exchange the fluid using the trannys own pump. Nothing is forced, the fluid is only swapped where the tranny knows no difference. The reason for a fluid exchage is to get ALL the fluid replaced. If you do it once you can get by with dropping the pan at 30k intervals keeping the fluid relatively clean.

Walmart fluid. Fluid that has been rebottled by a compay that probably bottles for 10 other companies. But buy whatever makes you feel good.