Should I first drive the truck to bring it up to operating temperature before changing all of the fluids- i.e., diffs, transfer case, transmission, etc? I figure I may get more out if they're thinned from heat, right? I always changed the engine oil warm and was thinking it would make sense for the rest of them too.

 

I do mine cold or cool, less chance of burning your self.

 

Yes, that is certainly a concern! Especially with the spark plugs, definitely cool when doing those.

OK then, I'll just go ahead and start on it now before it's been driven for the day.

Thanks!

 

i like doing mine warm,,, not hot. but warm to get thinner fluid out. but it really doesnt matter.

 

I do my engine oil warm but the transfer case oil and ATF you are right there with the exhaust pipes in your face, so cold for me.

 

I do everything cold. Always have. Now if I don't have time and it just so happens that it is warm, then I do it warm. Things can get messy if the fluid pouring down your arm and on your face is warm or hot rather than out side temperature. ASK ME HOW I KNOW.

For the transmission fluid change, I do it cold too, but when it comes time to filling it up at the end while idling and things get warm. I save the transmission for second to last. and usually do the oil on a separate day after I have checked the transmission.

here is the order i do part of 60k mile service in two days. (depends on what the specific rover needs and if it is a DI or DII in regards to the coolant flush)

Day one
Oil change and filter
1. Rear axle fluid & after check oil dipstick and top off
2. Transfer Case Fluid & after check oil dipstick and top off
3. Front axle fluid (check for leaks from oil change)
4. Brake flush / throttle body cleaning / stepper motor cleaning / air filter
5. Belt replacement / Coolant flush / thermostat replacement

Day two
** Check previous work not leaking **
6. Loosen the steering box bleed screw
7. drain transmission
8. refill transmission
9. flush steering fluid, (careful not to touch exhaust manifold but I am good at not getting burned)
10. Anything else
11. Seafoam treatment before last test drive

that doens't include doing wires and plugs. I havent needed to replace any wires and plugs yet on anyone's rover. on my rig i did this service in about 2 - 3 months.

Take into consideration cleaning the areas you will be working on and the proper collecting and disposing of fluids and cleaning up spills and letting everything soak in liquid wrench and cleaning off your tools and eating food and for you alcoholics, a beer here and there. I also do this alone so i'm sure help would make it faster.

 

great post. perhaps you could add it to the stick thread, too.

 

good idea! done