Shifting a604 from Third to First

I did it all of the time on my 96 GV. My transmission wasn't sensitive at all and worked fine right up until my van was totaled last week with

Matt

There is no "1st" position on the quadrant of a vehicle with A604 or derivative and without Autostick. The position to the right of "3" is "L", and it simply locks out 4th and delays the upshift speeds between 1 and 2 and 2 and 3. If you shift to "L" while in motion, the transmission will downshift into the lowest gear it is programmed to consider safe at whatever speed you're travelling. That may be 1, 2 or 3.

GET A TRANSMISSION COOLER and change to ATF+4.

DS

You betcha. I do it religiously. Thanks, Matt. Sorry about your van.

Got a stock tranny cooler and using ATF-3

Not good enough for HD towing service.

Change to +4

This is the cooler that came from Chrysler. You say it's not good enough? What would you recommend?

Also, every reference I've seen (including this group) says to use ATF-3. It's a 92 Voyager.

Yes, I understood that. You are proposing to tow heavy loads with a weak transmission design. If you wish your transmission to stay in one piece, you will need to keep the fluid as cool as possible, and the factory cooler won't get the job done. There are several reputable makers of aftermarket transmission fluid coolers. Hayden comes to mind, but they're not the only one out there.

ATF+4 is much improved in every aspect including those that lubricate and protect the transmission.

There's tons of aftermarket and even factory Mopar auxilliary transmission coolers in wrecking yards. In fact if you really wanted to go whole hog you might be able to use an old air conditioning condensor. Just make sure that any used cooler you get is flushed out with mineral spirits followed by compressed air. Also make sure it's plumbed in downstream from the factory cooler.

Ted