I have a '01 dodge ram 1500 4wd and I am putting a new tranny in the truck this week. I have always heard that you are supposed to use dexronIII on chrysler vehicles. Well this other guy I was talking to today said that he was told to use ATF+4. This other guy I know said that Wayne over at APS precision says to use ATF+4 and another guy I know says that he talked to a guy named Dave Goerend who also builds trannys and he says to use DexronIII. So which is it that I am supposed to use? I have always used NAPA brand dexronIII. NAPA is the only I have been able to buy it buy the case so that is where I always go.

 

ATF+4, and ATF+4 only. Do not use ATF+3. Do not use Dexron.
Valvoline has ATF+4 out which is priced pretty good.
Note: you can use Amsoil or Mobil 1 synthetic transmission fluids. These are either ATF+4 approved or recommended by the manufacturers for Chryslers transmissions. As far as other transmission fluids, make sure the fluid is either: ATF+4 approved, or recommened by the manufacturer for Chrysler transmissions.
Again, do not use ATF+3 or Dexron.

 

A friend of mine is a Amsoil dealer so you think it would just be best to get a case of amsoil ATF+4 from him?? Also what about the t-case? I know in the owners manual it just says to use ATF.

 

NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NEVER EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER USE DEXRONIII! READ THE MANUAL. ATF+4 ONLY! DEXRON is an outdated crappy tranny fuild that doesn't live up to the standards of Chrysler automatics, it is like using acid in your tranny.

About the Amsoil ATF+4, I don't know. I stick with the Mopar name brand just to be safe.

 

There are people in this forum that have been using Amsoil in their transmissions trouble-free. (A note: Amsoil does not make an ATF+4 per-say, but a universal fluid that is compatable with ATF+4)
Yes, the transfer case takes ATF+4 as well.
You will need:
4 quarts for just a transmission filter change and fluid fill. For a flush, you will need: 10 quarts for the 42RE, 44RE, and 46RE transmissions. The 47RE transmission will take 17 quarts. (Note: these numbers are not exact, order/buy a few extra quarts)
Transfer case: NV231HD takes about 1.5 quarts. NV241 takes about 2.5 quarts. NV241HD takes about 3 quarts.

Its recommened to change your transmission and transfer case fluid around 35,000 miles (or before )

 

My local NAPA store carries the Valvoline ATF+4 and I have purchased mine there. WHen I first got my truck I could only get it from the dealership, but NAPA now carries it and the price is not too unreasonable ( at least it is better than the dealership) As everybody says DO NOT USE DEXRONIII.

 

I haven't checked my local NAPA, but my AutoZone has Valvoline ATF+4 for around $3.70/qt. Advance Auto Parts has it for $4.70/qt. My local WalMart sells Mopar ATF+4 for $4.50/qt. Yea, my local Wal*Mart sells the OEM stuff for a decent price.

 

I run Amsoil ATF and I love it, all of my fluids (fuel exempt, obviously) are Amsoil. I grew up having my grandfather as a dealer, never used anything else and I swear by it. We even used it in our tractors, antique and new.

 

The official answer is that according to DCX everything should be "retro-filled" with ATF+4 = even your K-cars when doing a flush job.

But if the dipstick called for DexronIII you can still use DexronIII of course - even though DCX suggests to update to the ATF4.
But if it originally called for ATF4 = you MUST use ATF4

 

I stumbled into an incorrect labling thing at walmart... they had the $ on the Mopar ATF+4 at $3.40/qt... bought a case of 12.