Tips on filling tranny fluids.

[mitch311]

I want to replace my tranny fluid, but I was wondering how those of you that have done it yourself filled up the tranny. I will be using a hand pump to pump the fluid in there, but there's not enough crawl space....unless you're under there while it's jacked up. But if it's jacked up, the car won't be leveled, thus resulting in lower fluid once the car is leveled on all four tires.

I don't really want to jack up all four corners and leave them on jack stands, due to the size of the truck. Did any of you do anything different?

Thanks in advance.

[suvguy]

I haven't done it yet on the '00 Rodeo I just purchased, but I will within the next couple weeks. When I do replace the filter and the fluid, I plan to put jack stands under both ends and have the entire truck off the ground. As long as your jack stands have a big enough base and are rated for the load - average available is at least 2 ton you will be fine. Just place them correctly and try to rock the truck to make sure it's stable after each set of stands you place. I've done this to real trucks that weight close to 6,000lbs with no trouble - just pays to have good trustworthy jack stands.

FWIW

[geg]

I just did my 1993 rodeo. Mine has a manual 5 speed. I drained the transmission and then inserted a four foot 3/8 inch clear hose into the fill hole and had at it from the workbench. It took about 15 minutes to fill the unit. I used duct tape to secure the funnel to the hose. The only mess I had was from a small over flow when I over filled it. This beats the heck out of working under the unit. I have used this trick with everything from ATF to 140 weight gear oil. The thicker the fluid the slower it goes.
Good Luck

[mitch311]

Normally a long hose will work, particular for manual transmission. But I got a 2001, automatic. The drain and fill plug is almost at the center of car (well, between the drive and passenger seat), and the plugs are both facing downwards. The hose idea would work best if the fill plugs goes sideways. I've use been using the hose idea for my Toyota MR2 for many years now.

How about this, I jack up one side of my car, where the fill plug is facing. Thus resulting the fill plug being in a more elevated position compared to the drain plug. Open the fill plug to see if any fluid leaks out. If not, drain old fluid then fill it. But this might result into more fluid than it needs to be. Would there be a problem for this?

Otherwise, I think I'm just going to raise up both end. Using the two ramp thing for the front, and just jack up the rear.

What do you guys think?

Thanks.

[rodeo02]

For my 2002, I use a 4-5ft section of 3/8" clear vinyl tubing & have a bent / hooked section of 1/4" copper tubing hose clamped to one end of the vinyl tubing. Shove the copper hook thru the fill port in the pan & It stays in there nicely with no spillage until the pan fills up. I use a heavy one gallon jug (you can buy the dextron III/mercon univeral ATF in gallon jugs), drill a 3/8" or sligltly smaller hole in the jug cap & next to that hole, drill a 1/4" or smaller hole. Shove the 3/8" tubing all the way to the bottom of the full jug & blow compressed air in thru the 1/4" hole with an air compressor & rubber tipped blow gun. The air pressure forces the ATF out the hose into the pan in a matter of a minute or two. It's easy, cheap and relatively mess free (kinda like me! )
G/luck
Joel

[2eyefishclaw]

just turn your vehicle upsidedown and you wont have any problems getting the fluid back in

just kidding the hose may work but I would go with the pump be sure you fill it then start it,place the tranny in neutral and top it off

[mitch311]

Did you guys jack up all four sides and then crept underneath to fill the tranny?

[rodeo02]

Originally Posted by mitch311

Did you guys jack up all four sides and then crept underneath to fill the tranny?

No. The drain & fill plugs are very easy to get at- even on a totally stock truck. There is room to crawl underneath. The tubing allows you to do the work along side of the truck. You would need to get the truck up in the air for a pan drop, but you can keep the wheels on the ground for just an ATF changeout.
G/luck
Joel

[suvguy]

I just ordered 13 Qts of Amsoil Universal ATF and a Hastings tranny filter. Plan to do a tranny filter change and fluid flush this weekend. I have a 12VDC Shurflo flexible impeller pump that I bought from Grainger a few years back that pumps ATF nicely. Dropping the pan and changing the filter, then take the cooler return line off at the tranny and use 3/8" ID vinyl hose from Home Depot to have it dump into a 5gal bucket. Use same hose on the 12V pump to pump the fluid into the pan as the tranny pumps the fluid through the cooler and into the waste bucket (engine running). Plan to run 10-11 Qts through the system for a full flush.

The remaining two or so quarts will be for the power steering. Jacking up the front and taking the return hose off the pump and have it dump into a waste bucket. Turn the wheel lock to lock with the engine off while pouring in new ATF. Once flushed, connect the return line back up and top off.

Will see how it goes once I get it done. Did this on the previous truck I owned ('01 Dodge Ram) and turned out great.

[surferfletch]

I have a swale in my front yard that I can park over. How redneck am I?