Since I retired, and have limited income, I have been trying to do all my vehicle maintenance myself. I just bought the AT fluid for $60. If I take the truck to a dealer they will charge about twice that amount to do a complete fluid change - without replacing the filter. After reading a lot of posts on this forum - I think I can do an adaquate job myself. It's at least worth a try. If it doesn't go well and I don't get out a good percentage of old fluid - I'll have to sacrifice a few packs of cigarettes and a case or two of beer - and take it to a reputable repair shop.

 

Same here.. retired,do it myself and the beer and cigs...

 

If you don't have a torque converter plug and choose not to do the line removal, take off the pan ONCE and install a drain plug in the pan at that time. Replace the pan, fill with fluid, drive a bit, then use the drain plug to repeat the drain/fill process a few more times.

Then, every time you change the oil, do it again.

Yes, you end up flushing a bit of new fluid this way, but you will be replenishing the additives each time you dump and fill and will save a tremendous amount of time and hassle in the long run.

Also retired,
George

 

I did the job, got at least 13qts of old fluid out (out of 13.9), and made a big mess! I had read that the top line on the radiator was the return line to the transmission - it wasn't.
There was a converter drain plug - that part went well.
The process I used is below and would work great if it was easier to get at the return line somewhere.
1. Make a fitting that connects clear tubing to the radiator and fluid exits to a bucket.
2. Start truck and run til transmission pan is empty (indicated by air in clear tubing).
3. With black rubber access plug removed and feet sticking out under front bumper, turn crank with big screwdriver wedged in cage on front of crank until torque converter drain plug is at bottom - then remove plug and drain converter for about an hour.
4. Since transmission pan is all but empty it can be easily removed to clean it and the removeable magnet and replace the filter if required (while converter is draining.
5. Install filter and cleaned magnet and pan. Install the converter plug when draining stops.
6. Add 4qts of fluid and run engine for about 30 seconds - check with dipstick that pan is empty (because it is filling the converter).
7. Add 3qts of fluid and start engine just long enough to run through all shift positions for a few seconds each - with foot on brake.
8. Add 3qts of fluid and start engine until bright red fluid appears in clear tubing or until you have pumped out the same amount that you want to put in.
9. Reconnect the line from the radiator to the transmission.
9. Now just top off by adding and checking dipstick with engine running and transmission hot and in park.