Transmission drain/fill on 2000 LC

[Landman2000]

I recently purchased a 2000 LC with 286K miles. I am planning on changing out the front/rear diff oil as well as the transfer case oil. This got me thinking about the transmission fluid. I ran a Carfax and I see no history of the transmission fluid ever being replaced. It looks good to me on the dipstick but I still have my concerns. I am planning a trip to from GA to CO and back in mid July and plan to hit several trails while there. I’d like to get as much preventive maintenance done beforehand.

Do you guys have any recommendations as to what I should do regarding the transmission? Can I just drain what I can from the pan and refill from the dipstick or should I be doing something further like dropping the pan?

Thanks in advance!

 

[badlander]

Search for 12 quart fluid exchange. I just did this on my 2002 a few months ago and was suprised how easy it was. No issues at all.

 

[excessive]

with unknown service history, and that many miles, i would just do trans drain/fills with each oil change. You'll change all the transmissions fluid, but slowly over time

 

[Malleus]

I don't understand the reticence to completely change the ATF. No one changes half of the engine oil at a time (except me, because I rarely change mine, I just keep adding what leaks out - I'm too lazy to pull the engine to fix the leaky pan arch seal).

 

[SteveH]

Can I just drain what I can from the pan and refill from the dipstick or should I be doing something further like dropping the pan?

The short version is this: drain and fill the pan with the same amount you took out, then pull a trans cooler line off the radiator, start the engine and run ~2 quarts out of that hose, and stop the engine. Add 2 qts. to the trans., restart the engine and run 2 more quarts out, repeat. Do this until clear pink ATF comes out. Reconnect the cooler line, run it hot and check the fluid, and you're done.

By doing this, you get it ALL out and use ~12 qts. to do so.

 

[Landman2000]

Search for 12 quart fluid exchange. I just did this on my 2002 a few months ago and was suprised how easy it was. No issues at all.

Thanks I’ll look into it.

 

[Landman2000]

with unknown service history, and that many miles, i would just do trans drain/fills with each oil change. You'll change all the transmissions fluid, but slowly over time

This was my original thinking. Thanks!

 

[Landman2000]

Can I just drain what I can from the pan and refill from the dipstick or should I be doing something further like dropping the pan?

The short version is this: drain and fill the pan with the same amount you took out, then pull a trans cooler line off the radiator, start the engine and run ~2 quarts out of that hose, and stop the engine. Add 2 qts. to the trans., restart the engine and run 2 more quarts out, repeat. Do this until clear pink ATF comes out. Reconnect the cooler line, run it hot and check the fluid, and you're done.

By doing this, you get it ALL out and use ~12 qts. to do so.

I like this idea. Sounds easy enough. I think I’ll give it a shot! Appreciate it.

 

[terryscott621]

I was looking into doing a full replacement, but just ended up doing a drain and fill. I drained about 4.5 quarts out. I bought the 8 quart container below to help me measure just how much fluid was coming out. It ended up being a big help. I would recommend this to anyone attempting to do this at home.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00237Y0YK?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1

 

[Landman2000]

I was looking into doing a full replacement, but just ended up doing a drain and fill. I drained about 4.5 quarts out. I bought the 8 quart container below to help me measure just how much fluid was coming out. It ended up being a big help. I would recommend this to anyone attempting to do this at home.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00237Y0YK?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1

I ended up buying 5 gals (20 quarts) of Valvoline Maxlife. I did a drain and fill and got exactly 4 quarts out then went and drove for 20 minutes and did that five times until I had drain/filled all 20 quarts. Fluid is all new and everything seems great.