2001 Isuzu Rodeo - Replacing Transmission Fluid and Filter - Part 2 

Yeah, BUT they don't make Dextron 3 anymore and I'm not sure what transmission fluid to use.

Thank you, Jay Jay! If you are adding fluid after a complete drain, before you start the vehicle, you should fill the pan until fluid drains out of the fill hole. Then start the vehicle and wait until the transmission fluid gets up to operating temperature, then top off as needed. When the transmission is warm, you'll know the fluid level is correct when it begins to drip out of the fill hole. If you're simply checking the fluid level and topping it off, then yes - you can begin with the vehicle running. The correct fluid level can only be set with the vehicle running and the fluid at operating temperature. If you'd like, you can check out my video about checking the fluid level here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-bkLGL6x_A5g.html Thanks for watching!

@@mattpayne4087 Thank you!!!

@@mattpayne4087 I wish I could find a precise step by step manual of how to do this. Guy I know from High School who has a shop is going to allow me to do the job with him. Keep in mind he's also an engineer but I am still scared we could mess up one step and it could cost me my transmission. We are replacing the transmission line and I'm going to drain all of the fluid and change the filter. I can't find a gasket for the small pan but hopefully it's not in bad shape. Love my 2000 Rodeo.

yeah im so over changing my oil too. way overrated

Use a jack with a block of wood or something under the transfer case to support the trans, most of these rodeos and troopers are very similar setup. There is only the 3 bolts each end in the cross member then the 2 on the trans mount on the Trooper.

This is a tricky question. I ended up having to replace the transmission in my Rodeo recently. However, it was 18 years old and had lasted for over 160,000 miles. In my book, while not amazing, that qualifies as reliable. However, if you're asking whether you can purchase an Isuzu vehicle in 2020 and expect the transmission to be reliable, that is a completely different topic. Unfortunately, I would have to answer that question with "no" unless the vehicle is unusually low mileage and the owner has every service record for the entirety of the vehicle's life. The 4l30e automatic transmissions that GM installed in these vehicles seems to have been vastly undersized to push around 5,000 SUVs (and yes, these were true SUVs). To make matters worse, GM didn't equip the transmissions with dipsticks, which meant you had to crawl under the vehicle to even check the transmission fluid level, as mentioned in my video. Guess how many people did that? Not many. The result, unfortunately, was that many people failed to properly maintain their transmission, and because of that, you can find many, many Isuzus for sale now (or in junkyards) with bad transmissions. The few automatic Isuzus that are still on the roads are frequently bought as "beaters" (I e. - disposable vehicles) these days, which increases the likelihood that they are not well maintained. So, if you are considering purchasing an Isuzu vehicle with an automatic transmission, I would caution you to expect to have to replace it at some point if you plan to drive it frequently, and particularly so if you plan to do any sort of towing. More frequent fluid and filter changes may help prolong a transmission's life, but at this point the newest Rodeo sold in the United States is 16 years old, so you're going to be hard-pressed to find a vehicle whose transmission isn't already near the end of its life cycle, even if it's been properly maintained. I love my Rodeo, and I'm not trying to scare you away, but I think it's important to paint a realistic picture of what to expect if you do purchase a 16+ year old Isuzu. Thanks for watching, and good luck!

Matt Payne Yes sir thank you so much!

@@mattpayne4087 The 03 and 04 Rodeo's were lucky enough to get Toyota Tacoma transmissions.

@@saraflores9601 any idea if you can swap the gmc transmission for the one the 03-04 came with when the gmc one does go out?

@@saraflores9601 are you sure of that???

Yes, exactly the same.

Thanks, my tranny been leaking slowly for sometime; it has been intermittently skipping gears when taking off from a full stop. I have been replacing the leak w/ OEM ATF Honda Fluid . I just ordered the filter and both gaskets. Have you had any issues such a s leaks around the accumulator? Excellent DIY , video, and verbal instructions.