first time doing all the maintence on a diesel.. so if you guys can help me through this it would help out alot.. i already read up on what are good motor oils and filters. but i need to know what tranny oil to get.. also any important procedures in changing the oil and filter, tranny fluid and filter. and fuel filter.. as in where exactly they are located. and what not.. i have a 2004 LB7 thanks much!!!

The tranny filter is smallish and orange(OEM) and found by looking under driver's side of vehicle on the tranny. It is positioned vertically.

The oil filter is larger and blue(OEM) and is mounted horizontally somewhat above and forward of the tranny filter.

The fuel filter is found by opening the hood and looking on the passenger side. It looks like a big oil filter.

You can search for all the answers to your questions either in your owner's manual or here. I recomend you have a big pan to catch 10 qts of oil.

. I recomend you have a big pan to catch 10 qts of oil.

i went out and bought one just for it.. and thank you for your help.. any good brand of tranny oil to put in..should i just go to the dealer and get it or is there a better kind i can get at a auto parts store???

Here's what I have used on my truck;

Transmission: Dextron III ATF. I bought Valvoline at Checker.
Transmission filter: Dealer

Engine oil: Chevron Delo 400 (synth) 15W-40. Costco.
Engine filter: Dealer

Fuel filter: Fram PS9059A. Checker.

Front axle: Mobile1 75W/90. Autozone

Transfer case: Dextron III ATF. Valvoline/Checker.

Rear axle: Mobile1 75W/90. Autozone.

I'm using a synthetic grease for the front-end I bought at Checker for $5.29. Can't tell you what brand right now but, my notes indicate a requirement of "NLGI #2 category LB or GC-LB."

Engine oil: Chevron Delo 400 (synth) 15W-40. Costco.

I also use Delo 400, I don't think it's SYNTHETIC though, I could be wrong.

As a side note, Make sure you keep very good records, what's done, date, mileage, part numbers, and ALWAYS keep your receipts for parts and fluids, with this info. This will protect you should you have any warranty issues and the dealer tries to void it because you haven't had maint. done at the dealership.
JP

VC-17, you're probably right. I looked at the bottle and it's "formulated with ISO/SYN." It does not say synthetic. It does meet GM's required specs of CI-4 as stated in the Owner's Manual.

Good advice, Heartbeat Hauler. I use a program from Microsoft works to keep track.

Date mileage Description of Work Shop Name Contact Phone Number Labor Cost Parts
Cost Total Cost
7/22/2005 1,669.0 lube, oil change, oil filter Power Chevrolet Shannon $67.33 $0.00 $67.33
8/27/2005 purchase engine oil Costco $0.00 $43.23 $43.23
8/27/2005 purchase oil filter, trans filter Power Chevrolet $0.00 $38.89 $38.89
8/29/2005 purchase 75W-90 Autozone $0.00 $53.32 $53.32
8/29/2005 purchase Dextron III Checker $0.00 $9.74 $9.74
9/10/2005 4,407.0 R&R rear-end fluid self $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
9/10/2005 4,407.0 R&R trans filter & fluid self $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
9/15/2005 4,775.0 R&R front axle fluid self $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
9/15/2005 4,775.0 R&R transfer case fluid self $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
3/19/2006 9,937.0 oil and filter change self $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
3/19/2006 purchase grease Checker $0.00 $5.73 $5.73
3/25/2006 10,026.0 lube front-end self $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
7/15/2006 purchase fuel filter Checker $0.00 $38.98 $38.98
7/16/2006 14,531.0 R&R fuel filter self $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
7/16/2006 14,531.0 lube front-end self $0.00 $0.00 $0.00


$257.22

$257.22 in maintenance for the first 15k is not too bad in my opinion and that includes one slightly overpriced lube job from the dealer. Best truck I ever had.

i saw a few posts up on here for people using rotella diesel enging oil from tractor supply.. it is a 15w40?? and also i saw a good deal on wix filters?!?!?

i saw a few posts up on here for people using rotella diesel enging oil from tractor supply.. it is a 15w40?? and also i saw a good deal on wix filters?!?!?
I mentioned Tractor Supply as it is one of the only places I found that carries Rotella T in 15w-40 (GM recommended oil weight), in the 2.5 gallon jugs. That brings the price of a quart of oil down to about $1.90 each. Better than the $2.09 per quart price.
JP

Good advice, Heartbeat Hauler. I use a program from Microsoft works to keep track.

Date mileage Description of Work Shop Name Contact Phone Number Labor Cost Parts
Cost Total Cost
7/22/2005 1,669.0 lube, oil change, oil filter Power Chevrolet Shannon $67.33 $0.00 $67.33
8/27/2005 purchase engine oil Costco $0.00 $43.23 $43.23
8/27/2005 purchase oil filter, trans filter Power Chevrolet $0.00 $38.89 $38.89
8/29/2005 purchase 75W-90 Autozone $0.00 $53.32 $53.32
8/29/2005 purchase Dextron III Checker $0.00 $9.74 $9.74
9/10/2005 4,407.0 R&R rear-end fluid self $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
9/10/2005 4,407.0 R&R trans filter & fluid self $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
9/15/2005 4,775.0 R&R front axle fluid self $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
9/15/2005 4,775.0 R&R transfer case fluid self $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
3/19/2006 9,937.0 oil and filter change self $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
3/19/2006 purchase grease Checker $0.00 $5.73 $5.73
3/25/2006 10,026.0 lube front-end self $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
7/15/2006 purchase fuel filter Checker $0.00 $38.98 $38.98
7/16/2006 14,531.0 R&R fuel filter self $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
7/16/2006 14,531.0 lube front-end self $0.00 $0.00 $0.00


$257.22

$257.22 in maintenance for the first 15k is not too bad in my opinion and that includes one slightly overpriced lube job from the dealer. Best truck I ever had.

What program is that?
ac

Microsoft Works(task launcher) - works spread sheet - vehicle logs