[Rockwind1]

'96 one owner with 250k miles, the auto tranny is doing quite well,, no real issue but i was going to do a tranny filter and also change the tranny oil. however, a good friend of mine, who knows a bit about these trucks, highly suggested not doing that. thought it would cause more problems than not doing it. thoughts on here? i bought a factory mopar transmission gasket and all i could find was supertech atf+4 . the current oil smells and looks fine but i just got the truck from my uncle (he bought it new, passed away) and was slowly doing routine maintenance on it. he hardly drove it, it's a super clean truck, zero rust, no real leaks to speak of, anyway,, i am using it for a ranch truck although probably to good of a truck for that. 2500 long bed extra cab 4x4 version

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[9297oldram]

You change the engine oil don't you?

So why wouldn't you change the trans fluid and filter, nothing bad will happen. It'll also give you a heads up on any possible problems.

 

[Rockwind1]

You change the engine oil don't you?

So why wouldn't you change the trans fluid and filter, nothing bad will happen. It'll also give you a heads up on any possible problems.

hey you are preaching to the choir with me, i'm old school,, but i have actually had some other folks tell me the same thing! so now second guessing myself

 

[9297oldram]

Some will change every fluid and filter on a vehicle when they buy one so that they have a starting point on the service record.

 

[Rockwind1]

Some will change every fluid and filter on a vehicle when they buy one so that they have a starting point on the service record.

this is also my usual method, i got this dodge from my uncle who passed, done everything except tranny oil. actually waiting for my mechanic friend to get over covid/flu to do it. i can do most things but auto tranny's i sometimes avoid

 

[9297oldram]

this is also my usual method, i got this dodge from my uncle who passed, done everything except tranny oil. actually waiting for my mechanic friend to get over covid/flu to do it. i can do most things but auto tranny's i sometimes avoid

Most will avoid it because they are so messy if you don't have a drain plug in the pan. Buy a deeper aluminum trans pan they will have a drain plug and also some will have a port for a trans temp sensor. They are supposed to keep the trans a couple degrees cooler.

 

[56Cummins]

I left the fluid in my truck for 20k miles. No idea what or when it was last changed. It had a bad shudder in lock up. I swapped a gallon out of it, shifting improved. I regret listening to the old wives tale. Should have changed the fluid years ago.

 

[foresterfields40]

I think it’s the flush that’ll push the transmissions over the edge. I’ve heard of folks changing the fluid a couple times then change the filter on the 3rd time. But I’d guess most ppl don’t think about changing the trans fluid until they start to experience a problem then they take it in and have it flushed and changed and then all the particles end up getting dislodged

 

[richardelbon592]

I've been changing the trans fluid and filter and adjusting bands every summer since 1990 and it still works and shifts like new.

 

[BFD]

I regularly change everything... brake and PS fluids and clutch cylinder fluid, if it has it. Oh yeah, adjusting trans bands.

 

[jakeandkatiesdad]

The thought is that if you have a transmission that you don't know the history of and no idea if the fluid was ever changed a power flush is not a good idea since it may dislodge some old hard fluid particles and plug one of the many tiny holes in the valve body. That's open for debate.
Personally I would not flush it unless you know it was changed regularly. But I would definitely change the fluid and filter , maybe even twice in a few thousand miles so you have a starting point as said above and then keep after on a regular basis from there

 

[OldsCool]

I've heard the old wives tale too. And saw it firsthand once on my FIL's truck. The fluid was so old when it got new fluid it never ran the same. But I didn't trust the shop that did it too. They overfilled it.
I went 200,000 miles on my '97 with fluid and filter changes every 50,000. It ran perfect. My question to you is... how well do you think that filter is performing?

 

[alanack6795]

Use DEX III it shifts a lot better

 

[M37]

You will be fine as long as you didn't break a mirror, walk under a ladder, or forget to knock wood. If you screwed any of that up, don't touch the transmission until you kiss a toad.

 

[9412valvecummins]

That is not really true unless you completely flush out all of the atf. Theres a difference between a transmission flush and just dropping the transmission pan. Not all of the transmission fluid is inside of the transmission itself. I would just take off the transmission pan and replace the filter and readjust the shift bands, then refill the transmission with new atf.

 

[mixerkw1477]

I did a flush at 90K when I bought my 02 as a starting/reference point, then fluid and filter every 30k after. Never any problems.
I agree a total flush at high miles will sometimes cause issues. 😎

 

[219963]

I’d change fluid and filter, but no on the flush. Good opportunity to take a look and see if anything’s laying in the pan. I would adjust the bands too while I was at.

 

[Mojave Magic]

It's part myth and part truth. Regular fluid changes or fresh fluid on an unknown trans won't hurt anything on a healthy unit. If by chance you have a trans that's on it's deathbed and the grit floating around in ancient fluid is the only thing making the clutches grab, then you'll have problems with new. The reality is that it was already dead, you just didn't know it yet and you're just finding out a tiny bit earlier.

Personally, I'm not a power flush fan. They push them because it convenient for the shop, not due to anything better. Standard fluid/filter change and band adjustment every 25-35k will keep things happy.

 

[cummins creep]

'96 one owner with 250k miles, the auto tranny is doing quite well,, no real issue but i was going to do a tranny filter and also change the tranny oil. however, a good friend of mine, who knows a bit about these trucks, highly suggested not doing that. thought it would cause more problems than not doing it. thoughts on here? i bought a factory mopar transmission gasket and all i could find was supertech atf+4 . the current oil smells and looks fine but i just got the truck from my uncle (he bought it new, passed away) and was slowly doing routine maintenance on it. he hardly drove it, it's a super clean truck, zero rust, no real leaks to speak of, anyway,, i am using it for a ranch truck although probably to good of a truck for that. 2500 long bed extra cab 4x4 version

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Go ahead and drop the pan, change the fluid and the filter, and do a band adjustment at the same time.

 

[tzagi]

IF all the info is correct, 250k AND The atf was never replaced, do not changed it, if you like, do a filter change and return the old fluid back in, or, you can take your chances and find the funds for a rebuild which will follow shortly.