So, I bought my truck with 35500 on it, and since it was a lease return, it's a pretty safe bet that the 30K service wasn't done. I called my dealer and asked what would it cost for:
1.) Trans service including torque converter draining, filters, fluid, labor
2.) change fluid in both axles including LSD additive
3.) Spark plugs including labor
4.) transfer case fluid chainge.


I was quoted $550+ tax. Didn't seem too bad.

Checking the manual, I noted that GL5 75w-90 fluid is stock, but the dealer told me that synthetic is the replacement at $22.00 a Qt....[:@]

Now, I've done nothing but brag and rave about my dealreship, and now I was wondering if they're trying to hose me.....

I was chatting with the Service Manager, Mike, who I know, and he says that they swap out the GL5 with synthetic, since most customers are NEVER going to bring their trucks in every 15K for the axle fluid change, on their own.....

I thought that was pretty cool. If you look at the synthetic bottle, by Mopar, the synthetic fluid os the requirement for the 2500/3500 trucks, not the 1500 trucks. Overkill, but protection, none the less.

So..... I spent my entire saturday, changing the front and rear axle fluids, including additive for the rearand swapping over to synthetic, transfercase fluid change (ATF+4), Spark plugs (Autolite resistor plugs), p/s fluid change (ATF+4), and brake fluid change.

I saved myself a ton of cash, which I spent on new tires for the motorcycle.

I am spending $179 for the dealership to change the transmission fluid/filters/torque converter drain/flush. The fluids for all me ventures today, cost me $120 from the dealer.

I think it was money well spent, and a tremendous piece of mind.

 

Good choice doing it yourself. Not only for the money saved but the satisfaction of being 100% positive you did it correctly...

 

good move so far, but go ahead and do the transmission service yourself too. just change fluid in the pan, replace filter, don't lose sleep over the need to flush tc. consider adding a drain plug. cost will be about $50-60, leaving yourself another $100 for more toys.

 

I think you got yer priorities right. New shoes for the scoot.

I like that drain plug idea too.

 

yeah...can never go wrong with some new rubbers..............sick bast**ds lol...

smart move tho changing everything yourself, and next time do the trans service yourself if ya got the time and the area to do it...it's not hard, but it can just be a lil messy lol

 

The tranny does not have a drain plug already installed? Most vehicles I have ever owned had had a drain plug for the tranny. The diff was another story.

 

Not from the factory.

I'm not going to yank the tranny pan by myself in the driveway, just due to the mess-factor. I did everything else, so I'll let the dealer do the trans. I just paid to have the driveway recoated.....

I used to do this crap for a living and despite it being no fun anymore, I enjoyed my automotive chores yesterday. In my mind, the truck rund better a feels better having all fresh fluids in it.....

Now to buy a Craftsman jack to hoist the cruiser up, so I can change my tires myself...... (Race bike: 5-6 sets a year, but the cruiser is a whole new ballgame)

 

I'm pressed for time, made a pointment with my dealer to get the oil changed, new transfluid ( I have the 5.7 six speed ) and wanted new fluid for the transfer case. Turns out the lube person only did the oil change, the service rep did not charge me fot the transfer case and transmisson change and explianed to me this person is new and did not know how to service the transfer case and transmisson and I could bring the truck back on monday to have a mecanic change the fluids.

I was kinda lost for words, two of the easey items to service on a 2500 Ram is the transfer case and manual transmisson, suck out the old fluid, put it new fluid back in.

With winter comming up, this is cheap insurance and I saved some cash, but Have to make the time to do it my self.

 

I love my Craftsman floor jack. Keep an eye on them as they go on sale pretty regular. I think I got mine for $79. Great for cleaning day too.



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Thanks Pappy. I think that's the route I'm going. I can almost get the jack for the price of the tire change. I also hate wondering if someone else did the job correctly.

That jack will come in handy for cleaning those whitewalls I have....