New Dak 2003 owner - Tonneau and other questions
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Joined: Jun 2010
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From: NJ
I forgot to mention; replaced the plugs & cap, serpentine belt and tensioner (belt twice - horrible noise from the first), TPS and fixed the seat recline mechanism -in starting to run quite well now, just the occasional hard shift. The oil level looks high.
Next job is to drain and change oil & filter on the transmission. Any tips on that subject, especially in respect of the oil and any additive's to use?
Next job is to drain and change oil & filter on the transmission. Any tips on that subject, especially in respect of the oil and any additive's to use?
Last edited by britgeezer; Jun 15, 2010 at 10:51 PM.
Thread Starter
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Registered User
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: NJ
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Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Far NorthEast Texas
Congrats on your new goodies. My truck's auto trans was badly overfilled when I bought it & often shifted needlessly hard too. I bought a heavy duty siphon pump, removed all the fluid I could through the dipstick tube, & carefully filled to correct level. The fluid I added may be the only Correct fluid in the transmission- but that's another thread. Happily, the hard shifts are gone now.
1. There's no drain plug on the automatic transmission, at least not on the 2WDs. You'll make a lot less of a mess when you drop the pan if you get some tubing and siphon fluid out though the dipstick tube first. For the automatic transmission, use ATF+4 *Only*. The brand isn't all that important- any licensed ATF+4 must meet *Very* rigorous specs, & that even includes the WalMart Supertech brand. BUT: Don't let anyone sell you "multi-use" fluid, "this works in everything" etc, be SURE it specifies that it meets the Mopar ATF+4 spec.
2. For those with a Manual transmission- Use Pennzoil Synchromesh manual trans lube. Easy to find, works great, & *Much* less expensive than the stealerships Mopar manual trans lube.
As long as you're doing all that, you may as well change the lube in the:
3. Transfer case- again, use ATF+4. Both the Owners Manual & Factory Service Manual specify ATF+4 for all Dakota transfer cases.
4. Differentials: 75w90 gear oil.
5. Additives- for transmissions, nothing. For the differentials- if your rear is limited-slip you may need a special limited slip additive. The dealerships have one, there may be other good sources but I have no experience with this stuff.
1. There's no drain plug on the automatic transmission, at least not on the 2WDs. You'll make a lot less of a mess when you drop the pan if you get some tubing and siphon fluid out though the dipstick tube first. For the automatic transmission, use ATF+4 *Only*. The brand isn't all that important- any licensed ATF+4 must meet *Very* rigorous specs, & that even includes the WalMart Supertech brand. BUT: Don't let anyone sell you "multi-use" fluid, "this works in everything" etc, be SURE it specifies that it meets the Mopar ATF+4 spec.
2. For those with a Manual transmission- Use Pennzoil Synchromesh manual trans lube. Easy to find, works great, & *Much* less expensive than the stealerships Mopar manual trans lube.
As long as you're doing all that, you may as well change the lube in the:
3. Transfer case- again, use ATF+4. Both the Owners Manual & Factory Service Manual specify ATF+4 for all Dakota transfer cases.
4. Differentials: 75w90 gear oil.
5. Additives- for transmissions, nothing. For the differentials- if your rear is limited-slip you may need a special limited slip additive. The dealerships have one, there may be other good sources but I have no experience with this stuff.
Last edited by UncleStu; Jun 26, 2010 at 12:50 AM.