I'm sure this is a topic of debate, but I'd like some input here. The 96 1500 4x4 I just bought is in very good shape engine wise. The receipts show an oil change every single 4-5K mile interval. The plugs I pulled today looked slightly lean, but definitely needed to be replaced. Onto my issue.

The transmission fluid really needs to be replaced. The truck has 94k miles on it. I'd like to have the power flush service done, but will change my mind if you guys say it would cause damage. I can do the pan and filter method, but was looking for an easier, less messy way to go about it. And BTW, my brother in-law says he doesn't recall ever servicing the tranny. []

Also going to put new tires on it. Are the 265/75/16 tires that are on there now the stock tires for a 4x4 club cab with the 360?

 

transmission service is easy, just a little messy. my opinion is that a flush is unnecessary waste of money, although i don't think it hurts anything. a pan/filter drain only gets out about half the fluid, but if you change it on a regular basis, i think thats good enough. be SURE and use ATF +4, available at local auto parts in valvoline brand for about $5/qt. someone wrote that if you can stand the downtime, after draining pan, to let the truck sit for a day, and that at least a couple more quarts of fluid would drain out of various places. also if you remove the check valve in the pressure line up at the radiator, or disconnect a line, you can drain the cooler too.

if you're going to keep the truck, and put a lot of miles on it, and its got a dodge transmission.... the fluid and filter will need to be changed regularly. an external cooler is also a very cheap, and good thing to add. consider either adding a drain plug to your stock pan ($5), or changing to a pan with a drain ($100-200). it will make it a lot less messy. its also my opinion that if you change the fluid regularly using the drain plug, you can skip the internal filter every other time (maybe more). your brother in law is sort of correct - old transmissions would go 100k, 200k, 300k miles without service. these won't. too much heat is one problem. too much error prone technology is another.

its also just my opinion that if you're not having any problems, and you don't know what you're doing (like me), then its best to leave the bands alone.

http://www.pavementsucks.com/tech/trans.php
https://dodgeforum.com/m_925858/tm.htm
https://dodgeforum.com/m_882911/tm.htm
https://dodgeforum.com/m_816761/tm.htm
https://dodgeforum.com/m_717634/tm.htm

 

i agree with dhvaughan and to answer your question about the tires, it was an option. Mine came with 265's but i would guess that (cause you have the 1500) most likely they were originally 245's. If you look at the sticker on your door jamb (driver side) it will tell you what tires you got from the factory.