Hey guys,
I own a 2004 Dakota 4.7 4x4 auto. I'm changing the fluids in the transmission, cooling system, transfer case, and diffs tomorrow morning. I've picked up everything I need from the local Dodge dealership so I'm set material wise. I just have a few questions before I start.

Do I fill each part according to the capacity listed in the FAQ?
I've heard the transmissions can be finicky. I read I should soak the filters (pancake and spin on) in ATF before putting them in. Anything else I know about the tranny?
I picked up one tube of Mopar Transmission RTV to reseal the tranny. Will that be enough?

Thanks for your time, I appreciate it.

 

when refilling the trans start with rear end grease, about 3-4 qts, then finish with reg ATF. i know it sounds crazy, DONT FLAME me, been doing for ever, it works. go to auto-zone get this trans external filter 2210, its a magna-fine. it is 3/8 tube. if you need a non-mopar size wix 58964 is 5/16. they look like fuel filters, but are not. i have one, gives a lot of piece of mind. and put 10 oz of marvel mystery oil in the coolant. it will stop rust.. sealant? i like permatex #2 form-a gasket #80016. i ave this from 1965 it has NEVER failed me. no its not rtv. its a lot different. it stays where you put it.

 

Just for future reference, don't buy the fluids at a Dodge dealer, you are going to pay double what you need to and when you're doing all the fluids that's a lot.

Diffs can use regular 75w90 (unless you have a LSD in which you need the additive, Valvoline sells gear oil with the additive already in it).

I used Castrol ATF for the t-case and would do the same with the transmission if mine were and auto.

If you have a shop manual, all the capacities are in there if not the FAQ will work.

I personally wouldn't be putting gear oil in my transmission but that's just me. If it specifies ATF +4, I would be using ATF +4. I don't understand why "it works" but I don't see why it's necessary. What exactly does it do that "works"? If you just put in what is recommended then you know it will be fine. There is a reason they recommend what they do...

 

I would not run gear oil in a automatic. For one its way to thick and second dodge trannys already suck to begin with so why run the risk of buring one up. Unless you have 1,500 you can just throw away to test out a theory.

 

Thanks for the advice. The fluid change went off without a hitch. I realize that buying only Mopar would be pricy. This is my first fluid change so I was looking to go by the book. I'll write down those fluids for future reference however, thank you.

 

i dont feel i have have to defend my use of thick oil in a trans. dont use it .

 

No problem. I mean it's certainly good to be using Mopar fluid because you know you won't have any issues, but I know buying all the fluids at once it can be pricey. You might be able to find the same Mopar fluids online for much cheaper than the dealer as well. I haven't looked but I can only assume since dealers charge a lot for the stuff, you would think it has gold in it.