wow you need to take it in and have an overhaul tune done with just about everything drained and refilled and checked

 

It's funny a buddy of mine has a 2nd gen ram with the 5.9L and all he's ever done is engine oil,it currently has something like 240,000 miles on it. I don't recommend this practice but I just thought it was an interesting side note.

 

30kmi, you shouldn't need to drop your trans pan. get the flush and do the pan drop next time. But do the pan drop Before the flush to clean out any roaming particulates.
I believe the transfer case is something like 2.75qts. Not much at all. Front diff and transfer case I would do every 30kmi and the rear every 15kmi Transmission every 30kmi if you tow.

i just dropped the pan on my fathers F-150 to change the filters prior to a flush and the pan was spotless. magnet had just a light coating on it. Didn't even need the pan drop even at 87kmi.

 

Thanks I will do the Transfer case tonight and fill with Valvoline ATF+4 and probably do the tranny pan and rear diff. this weekend. Probably will leave the front Diff for now til 45,000. My radiator has a small leak so when the dealer replaces it under warranty I will get my coolant changed for free, or at least most of it.

 

Here is the list that I do at 30,000:
1.Trans Flush (I prefer flush over pan drop)
2.Diff Service
3.Spark Plugs
4.Fuel System Cleaning

That is everything I would do for customers at my shop.

 

The coolant flush is pretty easy. On the drivers side at the very very bottom of the radiator is a plastic **** thing that you turn to open the little drain valve. Open the radiator cap on top. Start the truck and turn the heat on high. As the old coolant drains out the bottom, continue adding DISTILLED water into the top of the radiator (reg hose water will leave particles in the radiator). When you start seeing clear water come out of the drain plug, start adding the fresh coolant. Any auto store sells a little tool (looks like an eye dropper with 5 BB's inside it) that checks the amount of coolant vs. water. Add coolant until desired "protection level" is acheived, draining water out of the plug as needed to make room for coolant. Close up the plug, put the radiator cap back on and you should be good to go.

 

Good Info. I changed the plugs to the NGK 5306 last weekend, so those should be good.

On that coolant flush, does that remove all the coolant? How much distilled water does this take? Seems like it would just mix with the od coolant and take forever to actually get it clear? Do you just drain the radiator out completely first before starting the truck? Thanks again....

 

Interesting Note:

The technical term for the radiator drain valve is "Petcock."

I just remember that from highschool motorshop. Thought it was funny at the time...

Anyone find a concise walkthrough for this? I've only ever done the transmission/transaxle on an Altima so I'm curious to see pictures before I get under there.