Forum Discussion

crcr's avatar
crcr
Explorer
Jun 17, 2014

Transmission additive good for 2004.5 Dodge Ram Auto Trans?

A few months ago, I bought a 2004.5 Dodge Ram, 5.9L Cummins diesel, one owner, which now has 140K on the clock. I have some of the maintenance records, but not all. As best I can tell, I don't believe the automatic transmission has ever been rebuilt. Anyone who knows these trucks knows that the auto transmission in these trucks needs to be treated carefully to make it last a long time. I would like to stretch the life of the trans as long as I can. The truck came with a Bully Dog Tuner, but I never put the tuner on the higher levels -- just the lowest or the next setting up, "Tow". I never run the truck hard, but I do tow a 7500 lb travel trailer, sometimes in extreme Southern AZ summer temps. And the previous owner towed a fifth wheel RV with the truck.

I have been using Lucas Fuel Treatment in the truck plus our car, and think it may be helping fuel mileage. These Lucas products all seem to have a top notch reputation. So I am considering adding one of two products: either the Lucas 10009 Transmission Fix, or Lucas Automatic Transmission Conditioner to the auto trans. I had the trans fluid and filter changed when I bought the truck a few months ago, so I would have to drop a little bit of auto trans fluid to add the Lucas product.

My question is, do you all think adding either of these products as a precaution for my transmission is a good idea? If so, which of the two products would anyone recommend? Or a recommendation for a different transmission additive product? The Lucas transmission additive only costs $12 so if there is even a chance that it might extend the life of my transmission, it's a small price to pay.
Tow Vehicles
  • bovellois's avatar
    bovellois
    Explorer
    Jun 18, 2014
    I was talking recently with a RV transporter who put Lucas product in his transmission. The additive was thick so it plugged the filter solid to the point that oil would not circulate. He thought his tranny was done for. So, beware with aditives.
  • 45Ricochet's avatar
    45Ricochet
    Explorer
    Jun 18, 2014
    Perrysburg Dodgeboy wrote:
    He's referring to item 4 on the front band and item 5 on the rear band.
    If you do not back off the adjustment screws the bads will be over tightened.

    Don


    Correct except the spelling :B Bands is what Don meant to say. Bads Rams are from years ago smoke and all :B
  • mtofell1's avatar
    mtofell1
    Explorer
    Jun 18, 2014
    I'd stay far far away from bottles of magical goo. In my younger days while driving junkers I killed two cars trying to "fix" problems with bottles of magic. One was an engine sealer treatment the other a fuel system treatment. Either case could have been a coincidence but hard to imagine both were.

    With old trannies the most aggressive thing I'd do is drain/fill and change filters. Never any flushing or similar. Honestly, if it were shifting properly I probably wouldn't do anything. It's like the old saying and like someone mentioned... if it isn't broken don't fix it.
  • ib516's avatar
    ib516
    Explorer II
    Jun 18, 2014
    crcr wrote:
    Has anyone used an OBD2 Bluetooth Scan Tool and the Torque app on the 3rd Generation Dodge pickup to pull engine data? I wondered specifically if one can pull the transmission temperature?

    Anyone have any recommendations on which OBD2 Bluetooth plug to use? There are many different ones on the market.

    I beta tested the scangauge2 for scangauge with my 07 Ram 3500 with thd 5.9 Cummins and the 48RE and we got it to read trans temp and boost pressure via obd2.
  • crcr's avatar
    crcr
    Explorer
    Jun 17, 2014
    Has anyone used an OBD2 Bluetooth Scan Tool and the Torque app on the 3rd Generation Dodge pickup to pull engine data? I wondered specifically if one can pull the transmission temperature?

    Anyone have any recommendations on which OBD2 Bluetooth plug to use? There are many different ones on the market.
  • crcr's avatar
    crcr
    Explorer
    Jun 17, 2014
    Perrysburg Dodgeboy wrote:
    He's referring to item 4 on the front band and item 5 on the rear band.
    If you do not back off the adjustment screws the bads will be over tightened.

    Don


    OK, got it. Thanks, Don.
  • Perrysburg_Dodg's avatar
    Perrysburg_Dodg
    Explorer
    Jun 17, 2014
    He's referring to item 4 on the front band and item 5 on the rear band.
    If you do not back off the adjustment screws the bads will be over tightened.

    Don
  • crcr's avatar
    crcr
    Explorer
    Jun 17, 2014
    boogie_4wheel wrote:
    crcr wrote:
    So is there any way to adjust the bands now without losing all the new fluid in there?


    Yes there is, just capture the fluid in to a clean container and pour it back in.

    There is two band adjustments, one external to the pan, and one that requires pan removal (but not valve body removal). Adjustment requires an in/lb wrench, and a person that can read instructions very well. Many forget to back the bolts out, go for a drive and the trans locks up because of the incorrect procedure. Adjusting the bands does not cause issues, it prevents them. It only causes problems if not done correctly.


    I found this online, which allegedly is from the 48RE transmission service manual. I have a question regarding your statement above: You state, "... Many forget to back the bolts out, go for a drive and the trans locks up because of incorrect procedure..." This isn't mentioned in the page from the service manual below. Is this on a different page of the manual?



    Thank to all who responded here. Really appreciated! Lots of helpful information.

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