The Mopar 8/9 speed fluid is junk.

[hemioiler]

My ZF 8 speed is flawless. Towing or not towing, my temps never exceed 81C. Shifts buttery smooth, if the radio is on (to hide engine noise) you'd never know when the truck is doing its shifts (except for when its bitterly cold the first ones can be a little more noticeable).

 

[cptbarkey]

Is this some kind of salesman product testimonial? Where is the beef?

 

[hemioiler]

Is this some kind of salesman product testimonial? Where is the beef?

Guys have gone 250k miles on rams while towing half of that with factory fluid in their ZF. I'd never do that, but calling it "junk" is just wrong.

 

[User_19876]

My ZF 8 speed is flawless. Towing or not towing, my temps never exceed 81C. Shifts buttery smooth, if the radio is on (to hide engine noise) you'd never know when the truck is doing its shifts (except for when its bitterly cold the first ones can be a little more noticeable).

Mine is pretty much the same in the 3500, but I do get some torque converter clunking with harder deceleration, like when coming to a stop sign during more spirited driving. This is greatly reduced in tow/haul mode.

 

[martinq]

I would never recommend an OE branded fluid unless it was the best value option and/or no other, superior options were available. I'm very sure the OE branded fluid would support most transmissions making it to the warranty / finish line, at least enough of them to support an approved profit margin.

How many magnets are in that pan / system? Are they bonded to the (plastic?) pan?

 

[DCDG]

3 changes at 22.5 is boredom. over maintaining doesn't resolve or prevent issues long term.

 

[User_19876]

I would never recommend an OE branded fluid unless it was the best value option and/or no other, superior options were available. I'm very sure the OE branded fluid would support most transmissions making it to the warranty / finish line, at least enough of them to support an approved profit margin.

How many magnets are in that pan / system? Are they bonded to the (plastic?) pan?

Isn’t the Mopar fluid presumed to be Lifeguard? I’ve seen people use all sorts of different fluids in these transmissions, but the usual complaint when switching is related to the price of the Mopar product. Not quality.

 

[svtrit]

My ZF 8 speed is flawless. Towing or not towing, my temps never exceed 81C. Shifts buttery smooth, if the radio is on (to hide engine noise) you'd never know when the truck is doing its shifts (except for when its bitterly cold the first ones can be a little more noticeable).

I've joked that my 8 speed is a CVT in disguise. I changed the fluid with Mopar 8/9 fluid at 60,000 and it was even smoother!

 

[JeepJKU85]

I would never recommend an OE branded fluid unless it was the best value option and/or no other, superior options were available. I'm very sure the OE branded fluid would support most transmissions making it to the warranty / finish line, at least enough of them to support an approved profit margin.

How many magnets are in that pan / system? Are they bonded to the (plastic?) pan?

Two magnets. It's a stamped steel pan.

 

[martinq]

Two magnets. It's a stamped steel pan.

In that case I would add extra in areas that do not impact flow or solenoids near by. The magnets are filtering the fluid 24hrs a day whether the transmission is running or not. Get that ferrous metal out of the fluid!

 

[dadto2]

IDK about the fluid, but I can tell you this... I swore off any Chrysler products after 2 trans rebuilds on my '89 Dakota and 1 on my '95 Intrepid. All at fewer than 60,000. No thanks!