Best Price for ZF Lifeguard 8, 9, or Mopar ATF?

[IndyFan]

Anyone have a recommendation for the best price for ZF LG 8, 9, or Mopar 8/9 speed ATF? I´m looking to buy 6 quarts to drain/fill my Gladiator´s transmission as it is approaching 60k miles.

Also, any recommendations for best deal on the gasket and filter? Is the original gasket re-usable?

I see Valvoline Max Life Multi-Vehicle ATF claims compatibility for the ZF 8 speed, but I don´t think I want to chance it, so I´m sticking with either Mopar or ZF.

 

[D60]

You could also do the Extended Protection if you're almost ok with standard VML. It does not have the stamp of approval for CVTs.

I bought this for $84 in '23 and it's only $2 more now:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V46QTWM

Presently ~$23 per qt on RA!!

edit: when he was around @GMBoy swore by VML in the ZF auto and as such I have no concerns....

 

[slacktide_bitog]

There is no problem using Maxlife or other multi vehicle ATF in your ZF transmission

Remember that ZF wants you to replace the entire transmission pan (which is plastic) every time you change the ATF. The filter is integrated into the pan. A new gasket is probably included.

For some reason, the Mopar pans cost a lot more than the BMW pans that use the same ZF8, though aftermarket pans should cost even less.

 

[IndyFan]

There is no problem using Maxlife or other multi vehicle ATF in your ZF transmission

Remember that ZF wants you to replace the entire transmission pan (which is plastic) every time you change the ATF. The filter is integrated into the pan. A new gasket is probably included.

For some reason, the Mopar pans cost a lot more than the BMW pans that use the same ZF8, though aftermarket pans should cost even less.

My pan is steel. Just double checked it. Max life LS one heck of slot less expensive, for sure.

 

[JTK]

My brother has about 80K miles on his 2019 Ram 1500 4x4 w/ pentastar w/ the stellantis copy of the ZF8. He did it's first drain/fill with Maxlife 2yrs ago and may have done another since. No issues. He bought the truck new. I have suggested to him that he should have swapped pans when he was closer to 60K miles. He may or may not do it some day. The Wrangler version of the ZF8 definitely uses a different style steel pan.

 

[wlk]

My buddy has a 17 Pacifica and we did 3x drain and fills with Maxlife atf last year. On the last one i added 12oz of Lubegard Red. He was having some harsher shifts and it is shifting nicely now after several thousand miles now.

 

[Tortuga]

Pentosin ATF9 is another option. It has the same green color as the ZF fluid.

 

[IndyFan]

You could also do the Extended Protection if you're almost ok with standard VML. It does not have the stamp of approval for CVTs.

I bought this for $84 in '23 and it's only $2 more now:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V46QTWM

Presently ~$23 per qt on RA!!

edit: when he was around @GMBoy swore by VML in the ZF auto and as such I have no concerns....

At least for now, I´m going with the deal you shared on the Mopar fluid. But next time around, I may just go with the Maxlife. I´ve not yet found anyone out there on a Jeep forum who has said they had any issues and it appears many people are using it.

 

[4WD]

I have changed the 850RE 2X with ZF fluid from eBay. (as did CS)
The Mopar fluid was made in Germany - so likely also Zeus juice …
ZF were 1L bottles … not quarts …

 

[4WD]

At least for now, I´m going with the deal you shared on the Mopar fluid. But next time around, I may just go with the Maxlife. I´ve not yet found anyone out there on a Jeep forum who has said they had any issues and it appears many people are using it.

If I ever flip - likely to use VEP - it’s been very smooth in my 6L80e and Valvoline recommends it for ZF …

 

[4WD]

My brother has about 80K miles on his 2019 Ram 1500 4x4 w/ pentastar w/ the stellantis copy of the ZF8. He did it's first drain/fill with Maxlife 2yrs ago and may have done another since. No issues. He bought the truck new. I have suggested to him that he should have swapped pans when he was closer to 60K miles. He may or may not do it some day. The Wrangler version of the ZF8 definitely uses a different style steel pan.

Perhaps it’s an 850RE like mine …