1984 Caravan ATF type?

[MinamiKotaro]

I have a 1984 Caravan with the 2.6 Mitsubishi engine, and I believe the trans code is A470.

I'm going to do a total flush and fill on the trans but I'm not sure what ATF to use. It says "Dexron II" on the dipstick, so I'd figured on plain DEX/MERC. However the internet at large has informed me that it was back-spec'd to ATF +3(or +4) at some point. My pitiful google-fu has been unable to confirm this. Does anyone have a definitive answer?

I have no clue what's in it now except for one quart of Castrol HM that I put in about a month ago. The fluid has probably not been changed in over nine years.

 

[maybehabitformin]

I would use DEXIII some might say ATF+4 But I doubt you would notice much difference at all.I know cause I drained DEXIII out of a vehicle to put in ATF+4 cause someone said it was a no no.I didnt notice any difference.I hope your talking about dropping the pan and replacing the filter and cleaning the pan.There is no other way to do it right.

 

[daves87rs]

Dex III....

 

[Thax]

Any brand name or reputable house brand Dexron III / Mercon fluid will do the job. If in doubt as to what is a good fluid check out the PQIA tests on various Dex/Merc fluids.

 

[earlyre]

Originally Posted By: MinamiKotaro
However the internet at large has informed me that it was back-spec'd to ATF +3(or +4) at some point.


it was a blanket back spec, not about that specific trans. when Chrysler has rolled out a new atf formula(+3,+4,etc), they issue a back spec recommending to use the new stuff in any application where the old stuff was previously recommended.

 

[eljefino]

Dex/Mer. The mechanical 3 speeds are basically torqueflites chopped in half and connected with a chain.

Atf +3 or +4 came out with the electronic FWD 4 speeds in 1989.

 

[CharBaby]

I had an '84 Plymouth Truismo(A413) and an 87 LeBaron(A4??) both 4 cyl's w/3 spd automatics. Both trannys took DexronII or DexronIII/Mercon. The 3 spd auto's were quite reliable with normal filter/screen and ATF changes. Maybe the most reliable unit of the whole vehicle. The newer 4spd auto started having issues.

Somewhere in between the DexII & DexIII/Merc(~'88-'90s) was Dexron II-E(IIRC) but, any DexronIII/Mercon will work wondefully in those 3spd autos.

 

[MinamiKotaro]

Thank you all very much! Bitog is always the most helpful place on the internet.