Tranny fluid

I am contemplating changing out the tranny fluid in my '03, 1500LD Auto very soon. Is this an easy change? Is there a drain plug? Also, what fluid should I use? I have used Trick shift in the past with decent results. Any recommendations?

if you change the fluid just by removing the pan, you are not replacing the fluid in the torque converter, lines, radiator... only a flush machine can change all of it and the cost is around 100 dollars. i change mine every 30,000

Talking with my local tranny shop the mech said there are two types of flushes. One is put new fluid in run it around the block and then put new fluid in again. This leaves a lot of the contaminants in the body. The second type of flush removes the filter and hooks up the pump to the filter area and the pickup letting it run for a while. Then they let it run thus getting all the contaminants out of the body and converter. After that is done the tranny is filled with all new fluid.

For the rest of you let me know if that mech is full of S _ _ _ for $150. That includes the diagnostic services. Is this a rip off or the best way to go? :confused:

I would never change my tranny fluid with the flush machine....most of those guys are full of bs....I know that even the dealerships don't take of the filter....what good is a tranny fluid change without a new filter....Even with a new filter, most machines (note 'most') not all are the same, leave small particles in the tubes, so when you do the flush all small particles from the previous vehicle go into your truck.....the best way to do it, is to remove the pan, take the filter out, put the pan back, refill it, and drive it for a couple kilometres, and then use the drain plug to drain the fluid again.....and so on....that is the safest wayto do it, sure beats having to spend 2000 or 3000 beans on a new engine....I was going to do this, and went to several places, and asked several questions, and did lot's of research on it....and at the end...did it as above...and it feels and drives great .....after reading horror stories about blown trannies after the flush, the risk isn't worth it...

Oh, yah...for the first guy tahts tarted this post....you want to remove the pan, first to clean the gunk....if you have a good tranny, there shouldn't be a lot of stuff...just don't remove the drain plug, and fill it up...take the pan off, and change the filter.......And one more thing....GOOD LUCK, to all those that even try to take the drain plug off....it looks like GM, had a extra case of thread locker sitting around...I know of some guys messed their pans trying to take the plug off.....that includes me.....

if you keep on ur changes you wont accumulate junk in the tranny and the purpose of changing the fluid is to replace the worn out fluid. once the fluid looses its lubricating proporties, it burns the clutches. so a fluid flush machine is just fine...