I drive a dodge ram 1500 4wd automatic, and I thought that I had read somewhere that I can drain the torque converter myself, and do not need a flush from the stealer. I have all of my tranny oil and filter on order, and would like to know if it can be done. Also, What is the best way to change the fluid in my transfer case? Is a fluid vacuum/pump the only way? I am approaching 53,000 miles and would like to get this done asap. Thanks in advance.

 

A friend of mine used to flush his tranny by, Warming up the truck first, Then take the hoses off the cooler. He would get to large buckets, Fill one full with Clean fluid. Jack up the rear if the truck, Doubling the security with extra jack stands. Put the intake hose in the clean fluid and the output hose in the empty bucket.

Now with someone else watching the fluid levels (Usually me.), he would start by the truck in first gear and work his way up. Speeding the wheels to about 30mph.

It worked well, The fluid was extremely clean even after few 1000 miles. But I am to lazy, I rather just go pay the $100 have a machine do it.

 

in this situation, how is it that he didnt lose the old fluid? if its goin in one hose and right out the other, then it seems he would lose some of his new fluids, right??

 

Yup, Thus the reason for watching the fluids.

 

You can't drain the torque converter by a plug. Flushing is the only way. Draining the pan is necessary to change the filter. You must unbolt the whole pan. Your filter can be slvaged for now. i would just recommend getting a standard fluid flush. I would change the pan fluid/filter at 75kmi and then do another flush at 100kmi.