On the 01 dakota baseline automatic 3.9 about how much transmission fluid,atf-4 is needed after a filter fluid change ?
I changed it out cold,so I'm not sure if that's why I'm now at 5 QT -an reading low ..ive only let it warm up an shifted gears ,no driving yet.
Store said a little over 4 qts.!
Any info is appreciated.

What's the max youve seen
some take after changing fluid/filter?

 

I've now gone up to 7 qts.. bairely in the normal range..
I can't understand how it would take over 7 qts to get it to thr proper level!

Did draining it after letting it sit overnight drip more out of the torque to raise the amount needed?

An do I have to do a drive cycle or can shifting gears as it's warm give accurate reading?

 

How much did you take out?

With the trans cooler, I wouldn't consider 8 as out of range. I believe complete overhaul is 2.5 gallons.

 

Hindsight, but I always measure what come out when I do a fluid change. Add the same amount back then check.

 

I did measure what came out..a tad over 5qts [7 bk in]..but I didn't count filter an what dripped as it had pan off about 2 hrs ,an drivers side a bit jacked up..

 

You're not far off then.

I just put 12 quarts in my powerglide. Only took 10 out, and nothing changed....just shows that I lost 2 quarts somewhere....

On that note, don't discount how much some drips can add up to! And don't trust that it was full when drained!

 

Thanks.
It wasn't hot enough at 2nd check an I over filled but haven't drove it ..just let it warm up a while ..

​​​I will be changing out radiator next but can I empty out very much transmission fluid disconnecting cooler line there at radiator vs pumping out?

 

I just replaced the trans in my '92 (A518 AKA 46RH) and the torque converter recently, and it took a whole case of 12 quarts to fill. Stone empty when I started.... I put 10-1/2 in and it was barely on the stick.

I also had to pull the radiator shortly after for another repair, and I lost 2 quarts dripping from the cooler lines while the radiator was out.

 

I ended up letting line drip at radiator an used suction a bit down tube.got almost a quart.
I installed radiator also..

Will the air in TRANNY line an cooler work it's way out ?

An how much was in cooler about?

 

Yes the air in the line will self bleed into the pan and case vent.

Cooler itself is about a quart if that probably. The lines hold most of the fluid.