2004 Dakota (47k miles) with 42RLE transmission

I have owned the truck approx. 1 year and put about 30k miles on it, not sure if fluids have ever been changed or not.

Should I do a complete trans fluid change including torque converter or just the standard drain and fill? Also, if I do JUST the standard drain and fill w/ 4 qts (recommended) fluid, does it matter if I use the standard Mopar ATF+4 or should I use synthetic like Royal Purple?

Going to do this tomorrow, and help appreciated.

 

if it was me i would do the normal pop the pan and drain it and replace the filters there are two on the 545rfes so idk if yours will be the same or not and i used schaffers fully synthetic atf there is no +4 with that brand but does meet the standards needed

 

all ATF+4 is synthetic.

 

partly but it also has different additives then other fluids just make sure it meets the standards for the transmission
what motor do you have

 

I have the 3.7L V-6. I picked up some ATF+4 at Wally World that says it meets Chrysler/ Dodge specs, so I'm going to use that. Does the fluid in the tranny inter-mix with the fluid in the torque converter? The regular drain/fill uses 4 quarts, but the full service uses like 11 quarts, so if the fluid in the trans and torque converter mix that means I have only changed less than 50% of the fluid?

 

Yes, the tranny and the torque converter use the same fluid and it does intermix.

Yup, you only get some of the fluid out by dropping the pan. Changing part of the fluid is still better than not doing anything.

 

never do a full service!

 

Why not?

 

from what i hear that it can shock the tranny b.c the fluid is so new and "slippery" and cause it to slip. the trans gets used to the old dirty fluid then when you put 100% new it can cause problems. just drop the pan and replace the filters.

 

That's weird. I am going to do the change tomorrow, and also do the rear diff fluid. These stupid fluids better give me an extra 20 hp and 5 mpg for how GD expensive they are. I dropped $140 today on 5 qts of ATF+4, 3 qts of synthetic diff fluid, and the trans filter/fluid kit.

I also got some Lucas fuel treatment and some seafoam for my boat, but still, that's friggin expensive! I know that Dodge trannys can be a little fragile so I assume that it's money well invested. I hope.