[LBSBLOWN]

It is recommended that the vehicle be level but they also say that you don’t need to change the trans fluid.

Ok I have watched many videos of servicing the ZF8HP series transmissions and the procedures are the same but in many of the cars like BMW's the transmission is pretty much level in the car, in the Trackhawk I have to jack the rear of the vehicle 4 to 5 inches to get the transmission level.
In my mind, because the fill plug is in the same place in all these ZF8HP series trans so I would think you would want a level transmission to service correctly, Maybe one of the Trans builders will chime in on this?

 

[LBSBLOWN]

#1 point in the image I posted. "Raise and Support Vehicle ON A LEVEL HOIST." It does say it's "Lifetime" whatever that means. When I bought the fluids at Jeep dealer, I asked the guys there and they started giggling. BUT and there's a big but I would change it at about every 30k miles based on images I posted. Imagine what it looks like at 60k or 100k.

Ok I have watched many videos of servicing the ZF8HP series transmissions and the procedures are the same but in many of the cars like BMW's the transmission is pretty much level in the car, in the Trackhawk I have to jack the rear of the vehicle 4 to 5 inches to get the transmission level.
In my mind, because the fill plug is in the same place in all these ZF8HP series trans so I would think you would want a level transmission to service correctly, Maybe one of the Trans builders will chime in on this?

 

[Zar_Trackhawk]

I'm trying to remember how I did mine. I do have a lift at my garage. It doesn't have to be 100% level, you'll never get that, even delaerships don't mess with it much. I went as close as the manual says.

 

[LBSBLOWN]

I'm trying to remember how I did mine. I do have a lift at my garage. It doesn't have to be 100% level, you'll never get that, even delaerships don't mess with it much. I went as close as the manual says.

View attachment 10696

Ok I have contacted a few Transmission service shops and so far the most common replies have been that all ZF8HP series trans are serviced with Transmission level at case and not the vehicle level I'm waiting on replies from Southern Hotrod and Paramount on this subject.

 

[Lil Hemi]

Ok I have contacted a few Transmission service shops and so far the most common replies have been that all ZF8HP series trans are serviced with Transmission level at case and not the vehicle level I'm waiting on replies from Southern Hotrod and Paramount on this subject.

I’m curious as to how much difference in fluid there would be. I can’t think it would be much. I don’t think most of the fluid drains without removing the valvebody.

 

[LBSBLOWN]

I’m curious as to how much difference in fluid there would be. I can’t think it would be much. I don’t think most of the fluid drains without removing the valvebody.

It looks like a difference of about 1.5 qt, my is lowered on Eibach springs and that lowers the rear relative to the front another inch.
I spoke with both Paramount and Southern Hotrod today and both say service with trans level (Not Vehicle) and Paramount said they have seen a pressure drops during hard launches and suggest a 1/2 qt over service.
I'm servicing mine with rear jacked up higher than front to more than level trans and will service a 1/2 qt overservice.

 

[Lil Hemi]

It looks like a difference of about 1.5 qt, my is lowered on Eibach springs and that lowers the rear relative to the front another inch.
I spoke with both Paramount and Southern Hotrod today and both say service with trans level (Not Vehicle) and Paramount said they have seen a pressure drops during hard launches and suggest a 1/2 qt over service.
I'm servicing mine with rear jacked up higher than front to more than level trans and will service a 1/2 qt overservice.

You exchanging all the fluid? Cooler too? That fluid is like $20-$25/qt last time I looked.

 

[Zar_Trackhawk]

Ok I have contacted a few Transmission service shops and so far the most common replies have been that all ZF8HP series trans are serviced with Transmission level at case and not the vehicle level I'm waiting on replies from Southern Hotrod and Paramount on this subject.

The images I pulled is from actual Trackhawk Service manual. When you click on the Transmissions fluid change, they have this procedure on how to lift the jeep. At transmission level, yeah some, but not all.

 

[IvoryHawk OKLA]

Just service my trans at 39K, what a pain to lift Jeep so that you can level trans, thankfully I have lift at son's house. Had to remove front wheel, mines is lowered, set rear down on top of front wheels laying flat several times by adding extensions to pads. No one has ever said what a pain it is to remove pan bolts, had to move cooler lines in front to get to bolts with a 40 torx bit attached to end wrench, rear ones just as bad, unbolted trans mount and used screw jack stand which helped get trans leveler. Drained trans into 2 gallon measured bucket so that I knew I had enough fluid overnight was a little over 6 qts., had 7 qts oh hand. Total fluid cost $145.99, Mopar pan kit. Rock Auto, $207.39 =$353.38, can't image what dealer would have charged and the time it took do this job, if they would have even leveled transmission. Curious if all trans are missing a threaded bolt hole, which is a blank hole, on side of trans for the metal rubberized clip to hold cooler lines. Oil was fairly dirty so I think it is worth while to change fluid early. So at least don't have to wory about this again for a while, for those that have not changed fluids in front and rear diff and transfer case my was fairly dirty at 24K.

 

[Zar_Trackhawk]

Just service my trans at 39K, what a pain to lift Jeep so that you can level trans, thankfully I have lift at son's house. Had to remove front wheel, mines is lowered, set rear down on top of front wheels laying flat several times by adding extensions to pads. No one has ever said what a pain it is to remove pan bolts, had to move cooler lines in front to get to bolts with a 40 torx bit attached to end wrench, rear ones just as bad, unbolted trans mount and used screw jack stand which helped get trans leveler. Drained trans into 2 gallon measured bucket so that I knew I had enough fluid overnight was a little over 6 qts., had 7 qts oh hand. Total fluid cost $145.99, Mopar pan kit. Rock Auto, $207.39 =$353.38, can't image what dealer would have charged and the time it took do this job, if they would have even leveled transmission. Curious if all trans are missing a threaded bolt hole, which is a blank hole, on side of trans for the metal rubberized clip to hold cooler lines. Oil was fairly dirty so I think it is worth while to change fluid early. So at least don't have to wory about this again for a while, for those that have not changed fluids in front and rear diff and transfer case my was fairly dirty at 24K.

What you just said is all true, BUT its duable. Yes, dealership would charge you arm and a leg, OR they would say it's lifetime fluid in trans and it shouldn't be open.

Funny thing is that when I bough my fluid from dealership and I asked them if it's lifetime, they started laughing.

 

[IvoryHawk OKLA]

What you just said is all true, BUT its duable. Yes, dealership would charge you arm and a leg, OR they would say it's lifetime fluid in trans and it shouldn't be open.

Funny thing is that when I bough my fluid from dealership and I asked them if it's lifetime, they started laughing.

At least I know it was done properly, had another vehicle took twice before it was filled correctly.