Did you measure how much came out? I am not sure if you dropped fluid when low if someplace else in the system would allow the transmission to be able to take on more than 7 or 8+ quarts. VZDude might have some more insight on this one.

 

Like everyone said, get 8 just to be on the safe side, but for my 60k service I'm doing a total fluid exchange, which requires 16 qts.

This thread will help:
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...ghlight=tranny

BTW, how many of you guys dump the old ATF back in the fuel tank? And at what ratio? Do you filter it first?

 

I absolutely won't dump ATF in my fuel tank. I've read enough about dragging lubricity out of fuel which we need now.

 

Dose anyone know if the stock converter has a drain plug in it? And if so how much trans fluid is needed to change it?

 

No, unfortunately they don't put in a drainplug. To flush the converter, I usually fill the trans with fresh fluid, then disconnect a cooler line, start the engine in neutral and let it pump the fluid out the cooler line, through a hose and into a drain pan. It's an art, and it takes a few tries to do it successfully and not have to clean ATF off your neighbor's roof.

 

I agree that it's very necessary. I have stumbled onto several of these transmissions that have a very loose band on the first service. After adjustment, it never seems to get loose again. This leaves me to assume that some never get the proper adjustment at the factory.

 

2003RAM

Yes! Really !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Leave the band adjustment to the experts. I've got 211,000 plus on my 04 and haven't touched the bands. Necessary.......NO.

 

I thought mine shifted decent ,then i did the band adj and service myself at 35000 miles,it has never shifted as crisp as it does now,i don,t think it was ever adj correctly from the factory.

 

while you got your pan off... be creative and braze in a drain plug assembly. It'll make changing the fluid next time easier...