Best Price...Auto Tranny Change Kit and Fluid?

[DanW]

I´m getting ready to swap the fluid on my auto tranny on my 3.6 JT within the next month or so. What´s the best vendor and price for the transmission filter/gasket kit and the best vendor/price for the ZF or Mopar fluid?

I see Amazon has Liqui Moly which is claimed to be compatible with the ZF 8 speed for $77 for 6 quarts. The Mopar fluid is overpriced on Amazon and I don´t see the ZF there in my search.

Liqui Moly for BMW (ZF 8 Speed)

Any recommendations are appreciated!

Sponsored

 

[Rick_Jame55]

https://a.co/d/4ysKcge

 

[Rick_Jame55]

I bought the filter and pan kit from the Mopar online store for like $130. Local dealership want almost $250

 

[DanW]

https://a.co/d/4ysKcge

Best deal I´ve seen considering 7 quarts! Thanks!

 

[DanW]

I bought the filter and pan kit from the Mopar online store for like $130. Local dealership want almost $250

Do you know the part number for that kit?

 

[jac04]

I got the filter and pan gasket from my local dealership:

 

[DanW]

I got the filter and pan gasket from my local dealership:

Great! Thank you! There are cheaper options, but I´m not sure about the quality, so I think I will check with my local dealer, as well.

 

[DanW]

Are 7 quarts necessary or will 6 do the job? From what I am reading, it looks like 6 can get it done.

 

[jac04]

^^ I bought 7 just in case. Some people report using over 6 quarts to get to the correct level. I didn't want to have to get more if 6 wasn't enough.

 

[Hootbro]

Are 7 quarts necessary or will 6 do the job? From what I am reading, it looks like 6 can get it done.

Get the seven quarts. I have done the service twice of two different JT's and one took 5.5 quarts and the second 6.5 quarts.

 

[DanW]

I found a decent deal on what I think is superior fluid....Red Line D6 for $16/quart. Red Line says it is a full synthetic 100% compatible with ZF LG8/9 and they state ZF has approved it. I run their C+ fluid in my JL´s manual gearbox and it made for slightly smoother shifts. I´ve been running it for 60,000 miles (I change every 30k).

I am also considering the PPE transmission pan so that I can much more easily drain and fill, since it has a drain plug. It does have 1 quart more capacity, so I will wind up ordering 7 quarts, but I´ll be changing it again not so far down the road, so I will keep it in a stash.

 

[Hootbro]

I found a decent deal on what I think is superior fluid....Red Line D6 for $16/quart. Red Line says it is a full synthetic 100% compatible with ZF LG8/9 and they state ZF has approved it. I run their C+ fluid in my JL´s manual gearbox and it made for slightly smoother shifts. I´ve been running it for 60,000 miles (I change every 30k).

I am also considering the PPE transmission pan so that I can much more easily drain and fill, since it has a drain plug. It does have 1 quart more capacity, so I will wind up ordering 7 quarts, but I´ll be changing it again not so far down the road, so I will keep it in a stash.

Be careful calling something "Superior" because you will be called out to prove that statement to a technical degree by some around here. I also doubt ZF has approved it as they are pretty strict in how they license their fluid spec for others to actually claim that and none of the so called "Universal" Dexron VI and Mercron LV type fluids have those licensing approvals. Companies like Redline, Amsoil and even Valvoline that claim ZF 8/9 speed "compatibility" are self certifying that internally without ZF sign off.

That being said, I am sure that Redline C6 fluid will do the job. Plenty of people have used these non licensed "compatible" fluid to include myself without issue. Key take away that you are on track with already is to get as much of the old fluid out with multiple drain/fills when converting over to a different brand and chemistry fluid.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

and they state ZF has approved it.

They can say anything until called out. Do they have that documented?
I'd be shocked to see a company like ZF actually say "your fluid is hereby approved".

Still can't understand the resistance to using ZF fluid, but it's your truck.

Has anyone actually stated why other fluid is better or why they believe it is, when the spec'd fluid is tested by the transmission manufacturer, who worked with the fluid maker to come up with a blend for that specific type of transmission, and it's tried and true.

Is it a "just because I can"
or
Because it's cheaper
and if the latter - really?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Valvoline that claim ZF 8/9 speed "compatibility" are self certifying that internally

At least Valvoline has the expertise and internal equipment and people..........

 

[Hootbro]

At least Valvoline has the expertise and internal equipment and people..........

Redline's parent company seems to be Phillips 66, so they probably have the smart kids working it.

IMHO, Redline is equivalent to Amsoil in terms of how they design and formulate their boutique fluids. They will do what they claim. Value proposition of either is debatable.

Sponsored