The new vs. old fluid...

 

IMHO that fluid looks fine to me. They all tend to change color even though they arent burnt up. Most new tranny fluids its hard to tell by color alone. As long as it smells fine I wouldnt worry about it.

 

Whatever Dexron III ATF that came in these when new (maybe somebody else remembers the brand) is notorius for turning dark, and/or it may have something to do with how the Allison affects the ATF. It's disturbing because most of us are use to the ATF looking like new almost forever. So if it doesn't smell bad/burnt and you haven't overheated it (say, over 250*F for "awhile"), then just dark is ok.

For 2002, stay with a Dexron III (not VI), or TES-295 (like Transynd). Transynd is probably best, with other look-alikes probably just as good. Personally, I used Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF (Mercon/Dexron "for older GM vehicles" because there are licensing issues that keep them from saying Dexron III).

Lots of people have flushed with the Hoot method. If you feel strongly about a complete change, this is the way to go.

Some of us just do a drain/fill with a change of the external filter, which swaps about half of the fluid. Then do it a couple more times and most of it has been effectively changed. Or wait 5/10/20/whatever thousand miles and then change it again. It's up to you!

 

I wouldn't waste my money on expensive fluid at this point.

 

I agree. It would be different if you just rebuilt it but, dexron will work just fine until you are at that point. Save you money and put it to good use.

 

I already dropped the fluid/pan/internal filter. I am going with torque-drive synthetic Amsoil. Does anybody know if the pan gasket is reusable? I assume it is.

 

Does anybody know if the pan gasket is reusable? I assume it is.

yes

 

Lots of info in the service manual about the fluid getting dark and not to worry about, looks like fluid out of a ally to me, color is kinda goig by the way side in some ways as far as for whats going on in modern tranny's, more important is the smell as Ben has already said.

 

Well I changed out the fluid, filters and did the HOOT method. I just got back from a drive and everything acted perfect!! I just set the Edge at level 2 (where it will stay) and it acted perfect. Lets hope that I caught it before really severe damage was done. This summer I see a suncoast coming my way!!