Joe and/or Pat.....Question

[BudMuthaTrucka]

You fuckers know I've been out of the 'game' for a while now. I've got an ATF question for you. What do you know about this new/improved GM formula known as Dexron VI???

I've read a little about it on the mighty net.....and so far, I don't think I've seen a single negative comment on it. I know they claim it's fully backward compatible wherever Dexron is specified....which covers 99.9% of all GM installed auto trannies. How much truth is there to that statement? I understand it's a synthetic blend...

I'm thinking about using this in my truck ('02 Silverado ext cab) with a 4L60E....if it's a good idea. I pull my boat fairly often now days. I've already made up my mind to add an additional auxiliary cooler beside the one GM used with their towing package....as well as plumb in a transmission fluid temp sending unit/gauge.

Would you go with Dexron VI or another alternative.....like Royal Purple synthetic????

[sslow 4.8]

From what I understood is that its formulated to stay thick when up to temperature, instead of turning thinner than water as it normally was with the reg ATF.

[Quicksilverado]

Dextron VI is the shit. You already have a temp sending unit in the tranny. All you need is a gauge.

[BudMuthaTrucka]

Originally Posted by Quicksilverado

Dextron VI is the shit. You already have a temp sending unit in the tranny. All you need is a gauge.

Yeah, I just read my owner's manual (flame suit ON).....It will supposedly give a message in the DIC thingy if the transmission fluid gets too hot. Whodathunkit?

[slow5oh]

andy, Ive had some experience with dexron VI when it was introduced into allison transmissions, which share many seals with some of the smaller transmissions such as the TH400 and 4l60/4l80 units. We found that any transmission that did not have updated seals, mainly the output shaft seal, would start leaking upon switching to dex VI. In fact, before i left wwwilliams, allison released a service bulletin on the matter, where any allison made prior to a certain serial number could not be equipped with dex VI, and if it was, it would void the warranty. Whether this is the case with the pasenger car trannies, im not sure, however, some of the output shaft seals are the same, and the sealing material used to make them is also the same, so if it were me i wouldnt use it unless it calls for it.

On another note, if you know of an allison trans distributor, go buy some "transynd" synthetic. it works in anything that dex 3 works in, and its the best fluid you can get.

[Pman]

I have not had enough experience with Dexron VI to give much advice. I have the Lubegaurd suppliment that converts Dexron III into Dexron VI...with that said, it is mearly just an add pack...so I would do the Royal Purple or Amsoil thingy before I'd buy the Dexron VI straight up for the performance factor. O'reillys carries a trans fluid called GLOBAL .... It claims to be run in just about damn near anything. Remember Dexron II, and how you could use it in a Honda, but Dexron III would fork it up...this stuff claims to be used in Dex II, IIE, III, VI, Mercon, Mercon V, Mercon SP, ATF +3, +4, type 7176, Diamond SP, T-IV for toyotas, even in type F applications....they list nearly every Manufacturer on the bottle as being approved for....including Mercedes, Bmw, Volkswagen, and the list goes on and on. So with all that compatability in 1 bottle how can the friction modifiers be adequate for some and not too much for another....

The clutches in the transmission require different friction modifiers...hence the change from Dexron, dexron II, IIE, VI.

I also think I remember Billy from Stockman saying that VI was not backwards compatable. And that the GM was not going to release the copyright for III...because they wanted it to go away...but that was years ago.....and I still get III from them....go figure!

[BudMuthaTrucka]

Originally Posted by Pman

I have not had enough experience with Dexron VI to give much advice. I have the Lubegaurd suppliment that converts Dexron III into Dexron VI...with that said, it is mearly just an add pack...so I would do the Royal Purple or Amsoil thingy before I'd buy the Dexron VI straight up for the performance factor. O'reillys carries a trans fluid called GLOBAL .... It claims to be run in just about damn near anything. Remember Dexron II, and how you could use it in a Honda, but Dexron III would fork it up...this stuff claims to be used in Dex II, IIE, III, VI, Mercon, Mercon V, Mercon SP, ATF +3, +4, type 7176, Diamond SP, T-IV for toyotas, even in type F applications....they list nearly every Manufacturer on the bottle as being approved for....including Mercedes, Bmw, Volkswagen, and the list goes on and on. So with all that compatability in 1 bottle how can the friction modifiers be adequate for some and not too much for another....

The clutches in the transmission require different friction modifiers...hence the change from Dexron, dexron II, IIE, VI.

I also think I remember Billy from Stockman saying that VI was not backwards compatable. And that the GM was not going to release the copyright for III...because they wanted it to go away...but that was years ago.....and I still get III from them....go figure!

......and 1 month later, I remember starting this thread and return to see the updates....LMAO.

I figure I'll switch to Royal Purple ATF, since I know several people who've used it.....not one bad comment. I'm waiting to hear back from a trans guy from who is a GM auto tranny GOD. He's out of Texas and can build to suite and power level.....car, truck, or whatever....3 or 4 speed autos. He definitely knows his shizznit. I know some of the old school guys are running tractor hydraulic fluid in their hydramatic trannies with great results. They say their transmissions operate cooler and show superior wear resistance. It's a lot less expensive to use as well.

I'm still going to install an additional trans cooler in-line with the existing one regardless. I already had the shift firmness increased....which I understand cuts down on friction, wear, heat, etc. I'm wanting to get as many miles out of this transmission as possible.....then I'll throw some 'shore nuff' BEEF into it, if/when it breaks on me.

[slow5oh]

just to throw another wrench in the works here. since you mentioned tractor hydraulic fluid, take a look at the specs on patrick's 15w40 oil. its allison C6 rated, which means it meets or exceeds all dex III specifications. 15w40 works great in alot of applications, especially stop and go, high torque, and high heat.

[Daniel@Atlantic]

that GLOBAL stuff is awesome! we keep cases in stock cuz it works in almost anything with a specialty fluid app.