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Please answer quickly. Trans fluid for 97 ram.

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Old 06-16-2013, 02:08 PM
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Default Please answer quickly. Trans fluid for 97 ram.

i was offered a trade. a 97 5.2,auto. I asked him about the transmission. He says he keeps fluid changed in it. I asked what type has he been using (knowing ive always heard atf4 in a chrysler). he says dexron. He said thats what his book calls for..

Correct me if im wrong but didnt the older 727s etc use dexron? So did they change over later then 97 for atf3/4?

i dont wanna trade if hes been dumping a transmission rebuild into the transmission lol.
 
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Old 06-16-2013, 02:15 PM
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ATF+4 type 9602 is what should be put in. Dexron II is not recommended and can cause clutch chatter. -Factory Service Manual
 
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Old 06-16-2013, 02:25 PM
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Yea,thats what i was thinking..Dang truck was clean too.
 
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Old 06-16-2013, 03:35 PM
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Well, drive the truck and see how it behaves. He might be mistaken, who knows? ATF+4 is a bright red in color. Anything else is not ATF+4. You might be able to get away with a flush, but only time will tell.
 
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Old 06-16-2013, 05:40 PM
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Originally Posted by dodge dude94
Well, drive the truck and see how it behaves. He might be mistaken, who knows? ATF+4 is a bright red in color. Anything else is not ATF+4. You might be able to get away with a flush, but only time will tell.
Hmmmm, My '87 El Camino uses Dextron, it's bright red..... Were the bottles misprinted?

Most auto trans fluids are red. Dextron, Mercon, Type F, +4, etc.

I don't think there's any way to really know without lab tests or something.
 
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Old 06-16-2013, 05:45 PM
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Originally Posted by kejobe
Hmmmm, My '87 El Camino uses Dextron, it's bright red..... Were the bottles misprinted?

Most auto trans fluids are red. Dextron, Mercon, Type F, +4, etc.

I don't think there's any way to really know without lab tests or something.
OH SNAP. lol

I was thinking Mercon was an orange-ish color though...
 
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Old 06-16-2013, 06:06 PM
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They are all red as far as I know, And there is no such thing as "DEXTRON" tranny fluid
 
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Old 06-16-2013, 08:22 PM
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I'll never understand why people refuse to use the fluids called for by the manufacturer. Its almost like they're offended by being told what to use.

I got into an argument on another forum with a guy that was telling another member to use Dexron VI in his Ram instead of ATF+4. His claim was that it was a superior fluid, that ATF+4 is an outdated fluid based on 20 year old specs, and that you could use any transmission fluid in any transmission, therefore he should use the "superior" Dexron.
 
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Old 06-16-2013, 08:50 PM
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Originally Posted by zman17
They are all red as far as I know, And there is no such thing as "DEXTRON" tranny fluid
The "T" is silent!!!!

Seriously, oops. Mistypeing. (I know, no "e").

I thought Honda or somebody had a different color for their trans fluid. Can't remember.
 
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Old 06-16-2013, 11:18 PM
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I'll have to dig up my paperwork, but pretty sure the builder of my 48re recommends Dexron or ATF+4.

I'm not convinced the use of fluid other than ATF+4 will lead to damage.

For the record, I run ATF+4.
 


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