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Kevin
Dodge Dakota
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12/18/2002
14:33:08

Subject: Transmission Fluid Change
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Has anyone out there changed the fluid/filters in there 45rfe? What filters did you get? From Mopar, or ATP ones from rockauto.com, or other? Which are better? I have never done this before, but I think I can tackle it. I have the factory service manual. Is there a filter seal (part #?)that needs to be replaced with the filter? I plan on just dropping the pan, changing both filters, and replacing with ATF+4. Are there any other manufacturers than Mopar for ATF+4 (besides Amsoil's universal ATF)? How many qts. do I need if I just drop the pan? (I know the service manual says, but I don't have it with me at the moment). It sure is a pain when two local dodge dealers don't even keep the filters in stock (they supposedly just flush the system, and don't change the filters). Is there any other important info that I need before I do this?

Thanks for all your help and input,
Kevin in IL
2001 CC 4wd



TDak
Dodge Dakota
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12/18/2002
16:50:31

RE: Transmission Fluid Change
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Kevin,
I have a 44RE, but the process should be the same. If you get the Filter kit from NAPA, it comes with the filter, gasket, and the rubber filter seal. About $20 if I remember correctly. Mine takes 4 qts for just the pan, but it's not that hard to flush the whole system. You do need someone to help though. I just put in MOPAR, but next time I'm switching to Amsoil.



BigBlue QC
GenIII
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12/19/2002
08:00:18

RE: Transmission Fluid Change
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Figure no less than 8 quarts of tranny fluid if dropping the pan to drain. Your dipstick will indicate whether or not you check the fluid level in park or neutral. It makes a difference. When I changed the filter the part number that came up at Dodge had only one filter. I can't remember if there was a gasket or if silicone was the gasket.

2002 QC 4x4 Sport Plus, 4.7L, auto, Patriot Blue, Tire & Handling group,
Heavy Duty Service group, Leer cap w/out windows, Mopar Step bars and roof rack, Rhino liner in bed and on step bars, Pace Edwards Power Tailgate lock
3.55 rear, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes, all possible fluids are AMSOIL

katydak
Dodge Dakota
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12/19/2002
09:21:47

RE: Transmission Fluid Change
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I have the same transmission in my 2000. I got both of the ATP filters at Carquest for $19. It doesn't have a gasket on the pan. I used Permatex ULTRA BLUE Silicone Gasket Maker. It also takes 6 quarts of the ATF+4. Make sure you get both filters. There is your normal transmission filter and there is also a screw on fiter. It looks just like an oil filter only smaller.



Kevin
Dodge Dakota
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12/19/2002
12:56:24

RE: Transmission Fluid Change
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I know it doesn't have a gasket on the pan, the gasket I was refering to is one that seals the regular filter (not the screw on one) against the oil pump or something. Does this need to be replaced also? Thanks for the input.

Kevin
2001 CC 4wd



katydak
Dodge Dakota
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12/19/2002
13:11:17

RE: Transmission Fluid Change
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Yes it does need to be changed. It comes with the new filter.




sandman
Dodge Dakota
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12/19/2002
21:18:53

RE: Transmission Fluid Change
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I changed mine at 10,000 miles. I used OEM filters. Amsoil Synthetic ATF is cheaper then Mopar ATF+4 and it is a better product. I used Redline C+ ATF which is also a synthetic ATF but it is only for DC trannys. Both Redline C+ and Amsoil Universal meet ATF+4 requirments. Both are cheaper the OEM ATF+4. No parts store carry ATF+4. I do not know that I would want to use an ATP filter kit in my truck. The ATP kits are pretty cheaply made compared to the filtran OEM filters.



Kevin
Dodge Dakota
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12/20/2002
15:59:45

RE: Transmission Fluid Change
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I just purchased 2 gal of ATF+4 at a dealer for $44 (including tax). I thought that was a reasonable price. THat's cheaper than Amsoil/redline at $5.50 a qt. A tech there mentioned that I after I refill the tranny, I should let it run for 5min at the least before putting it in gear. He said that it may go into limp home mode if I didn't. Any one else ever hear of this?

Kevin
01 cc 4wd



Kevin
Dodge Dakota
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12/20/2002
16:04:46

RE: Transmission Fluid Change
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Has anyone ever purchased transmission parts from bulkparts.com. I think the filters they sell are OEM filtran. They even sell a pan gasket - anyone ever use that instead of silicone?

Kevin
01 cc 4wd



sandman
Dodge Dakota
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12/20/2002
19:49:23

RE: Transmission Fluid Change
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My dealership wanted $9.95 per-quart for ATF+4 so Amsoil and Redline were $2 cheaper then OEM for me. I would bought my filters someplace else but nobody had them at the time. Filtran and Baldwin have our filters now. Kevin I think you need to post the name and number of your dealerships parts department so we can all order from him at that price!!!



Kevin
Dodge Dakota
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12/20/2002
20:24:46

RE: Transmission Fluid Change
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Buysee(sp?) Dodge in Davenport, IA. I don't know what the quart price was. I bought the gallon jugs - $21.70 + tax. (563) 391-4100

Kevin



kevster
Dodge Dakota
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12/21/2002
10:15:43

RE: Transmission Fluid Change
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Sounds like a hasle to do this trans service yourself, that is why I take my Daks to the dealer, My Daks have the 45RFE and use two filters each, The dealer told me that these transmissions are sensitive and Only Mopar ATF+4 is to be used. Not to mention the fact that I also understood the dealer saying, Only the dealer can and should service the trans, otherwise if it is done by yourself or another place the transmission warranty is Void. So to me the 140.00 to have this done at the Dealer is worth it to me.



sandman
Dodge Dakota
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12/21/2002
11:07:01

RE: Transmission Fluid Change
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Kevester your dealer is lying to you. Anyone can perform the maintence on your vechile. If only DC could do it and you had to use only their products for service to maintain the warranty DC would have to do it for free. Their is nothing tricky about changeing fluid and filters. It is true that the products you use have to meet DC spec.'s. My dealership also sells it in gallon form but they price it by the quart. I do not trust anyone that works in sales or management at dealerships. Are you sure they did not use old stock ATF+3 to service your tranny? Alot of dealers will use up what is left on the shelf before they order anything new.I might give them a call and order two gallons next week. $5.50 a quart is a good price.



Dr. D
Dodge Dakota
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12/21/2002
13:04:05

RE: Transmission Fluid Change
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I will never use the ATF+4 CRAP that the dealer
offers.
I tow a 7'x16' enclosed trailer with about 6,000
lbs. of lawn equipment inside of it and before
switching over to the AMSOIL ATF I was changing
transmissions more often than I was changing my
pants.
I trust nothing but the AMSOIL "Universal" ATF in
my transmissions!

I purchase my gaskets and filters from ADVANCE
AUTO PARTS due to the fact that they work better
than what I was buying from NAPA.

Another Tip ! :

You can also get a remote full flow filter system
from AMSOIL (part# BMK-14) that will increase the
fluid capacity by as much as 2.5 qts. and you can
plumb it in-line with the transmission oil
cooler. Plus ... it will do a much better job
than the factory internal transmission filter.

Dr. D




QCOwner
Dodge Dakota
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12/23/2002
10:02:13

RE: Transmission Fluid Change
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>I will never use the ATF+4 CRAP that the dealer
offers.

Yeah, never use the fluid designed for the transmission, instead use some one-size-fits-all 'universal' fluid. ROFL...





Dr. D
Dodge Dakota
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12/23/2002
17:33:49

RE: Transmission Fluid Change
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Hey QCOwner,

Not only do I not trust the"factory"fluids
that Dodge uses but I also ditch the factory
filters,wiper blades,plugs,brake pads and that
pitiful excuse of a battery that they use.

Dr. D





Alpine
Dodge Dakota
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12/23/2002
22:58:50

RE: Transmission Fluid Change
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So there are two filters for our trans. When I went to get a filter kit at Advance Auto Parts store it had TWO rubber gaskets and one flat metal filter. What should I have received? I think I will take it back. But, what are the part numbers for the two filters?
Thanks



sandman
Dodge Dakota
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12/23/2002
23:08:08

RE: Transmission Fluid Change
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If you have the 45RFE trans you should get one pan gasket and two filters with one seal. The pickup/primary filter is oddly shaped and looks kinda like a flat football with a long tube attached. The secondary filter is on the return side comeing back from the cooler and it is internal. It looks like a smallest oilfilter you have ever seen. Hope that helps!!!



Alpine
Dodge Dakota
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12/24/2002
09:59:03

RE: Transmission Fluid Change
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Just want to make sure.
I have a 4.7L CC 4x4 w/ auto trans.
Do I have a 45RFE?
If I did not have you guys to help how should I have been able to find out what I have?
Thanks again.



kevster
Dodge Dakota
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12/24/2002
10:47:42

RE: Transmission Fluid Change
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The 45RFE is the only auto trans that came with the 4.7 from 2k to 2002. The pan is actually gasketed by RTV silicone high temp stuff, 5.00 tube. and there are 2 filters, one is a small spin on inside the pan, the other looks like the old style filter from say a turbo 350 trans. I would recommend you return what ya bought get your money back, go to the dealer for the correct stuff.



sandman
Dodge Dakota
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12/24/2002
17:08:29

RE: Transmission Fluid Change
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Kevester you are right that OEM used a sealer instead of a gasket for pan. While this is true an aftermarket filter kit will include a neoprene gasket not RTV. The stock sealer is a black gasket material marketed under the name "Right Stuff" it has a production part number for DC GF-44-A, GM 9985990, and Ford wse-m4 g 323-a6. It is made by permatex and is cured and ready for survice imediately after the part is torqued down. It gives you a 5 minute work time I think and is impervious to all automitve chemicals. It is about $10-$13 percan and is pressurized like squeze cheese. One can will do 8 trannys. It has more adhession then any other RTV type product that I have ever used. It is good for continious use up to 450 degrees F or 500 intermittent. I do not know if I would recomend the dealership seeing how others have the filter now. I will get you the OEM part number's to cross if my maintence book is not in the truck at the body shop. I wrote down the OEM filter part numbers when I bought mine. The dealer will rape you on price. My OEM filters said filtran on the anti-corsive paper that they were wraped in and it was stamped next to the Chysler logo on the spin on filter. So just try to stay with a reputable filter company like filtran or baldwin.



sandman
Dodge Dakota
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12/24/2002
17:28:06

RE: Transmission Fluid Change
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If you want to get a look at what it should look like. Go to baldwin filters online and take a look at filter 18290. It is for the Grand Cherokee with the 45RFE. I am not sying that this is the exact same filter for our application as pan depth might be different... but this is what mine looked like. They did not have the spin on filter listed.



sandman
Dodge Dakota
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12/24/2002
17:40:06

RE: Transmission Fluid Change
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Hope this is not double post. I did not see my post so here it goes.

Check out http://www.bulkparts.com/ they have our filters cheap. I did not ask who makes them but for $17.00 you can get both filters and the gasket. DC dealership wanted $34.00 for the one filter and $20.00 for the other filter. They also wanted $9.95 per-quart for ATF+4. They did not even kiss me first!



Kevin
Dodge Dakota
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12/26/2002
09:06:38

RE: Transmission Fluid Change
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Sandman, I checked with bulkparts.com. The filters listed are either SPX (which is filtran), or allomatic.

Kevin,
2001 CC 4WD



New Owner
Dodge Dakota
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12/30/2002
22:59:39

RE: Transmission Fluid Change
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I am looking to change my trans fluid, and I read that the 45RFE is the only trans available for the Dak's between 00 and 02. I have an 01. On another forum, they suggest that a 5-45RFE was available that year and had 2 second gear ratios, and another version that has 2 second gears, and 2 over drive gears.

What's the truth? How can I determine accurately which tranny I have?



Kevin
Dodge Dakota
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12/31/2002
13:47:09

RE: Transmission Fluid Change
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New Owner - 45RFE and 545RFE are the same transmission. The only difference is the software that controls the transmission's operation. One program results in 4 speed and the other results in a 5 speed. Your 01 has the 45RFE just like mine, unless it was reprogramed by the dealer. Both transmissions take the same filters and fluid. Both the 45RFE and the 545RFE have two second gears, but the 545 has a second overdrive, where as the 45RFE only has 1 overdrive.



New Owner
Dodge Dakota
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1/01/2003
14:58:47

RE: Transmission Fluid Change
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Thanks for the info Kevin.. I have a sticker under the hood, that says the PCM was reprogrammed in late 01, but it doesn't say why? I will try to follow up with them, but the local dealer wasn't the one that did it. It was a trade in from about 150mi away.
Any why this would have been done?



New Owner
Dodge Dakota
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1/02/2003
00:18:53

RE: Transmission Fluid Change
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That last line was supposed to say:

Anyone know why this would have been done? Is that common?



Texas Todd
Dodge Dakota
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1/02/2003
09:00:24

RE: Transmission Fluid Change
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Message:
New Owner - 45RFE and 545RFE are the same transmission. The only difference is the software that controls the transmission's operation. One program results in 4 speed and the other results in a 5 speed. Your 01 has the 45RFE just like mine, unless it was reprogramed by the dealer. Both transmissions take the same filters and fluid. Both the 45RFE and the 545RFE have two second gears, but the 545 has a second overdrive, where as the 45RFE only has 1 overdrive.

Now the guys with 02+ are gonna say they have a 6 speed auto!! Just like the the earlier guys think they had a 5speed auto, cause it had 5 gears, when only 4 of them were used to go forward consecutively.



NFdakota
Dodge Dakota
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4/26/2003
19:15:12

RE: Transmission Fluid Change
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What is the correct procedure to fill transmission oil. Idle Hot in Neutral and fill to mark. Fill thru dipstick? How much would be required. I am guessing 6 liters with a transmiossion filter/oil change.

Tks



hilo
Dodge Dakota
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4/27/2003
02:41:10

RE: Transmission Fluid Change
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Dr.D and QCOWNER are ignorant, lying sacks of sh1t. If you tw hill billies ever perform maintenance on your own vehicles, they will be ruiuned, you two lying sack of sh1t.



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