want to change the filter and fluids myself. How hard is it to do?

 

Really depends on what you are drivin' Some years require you to drop the transmission crossmember to remove the transmission oil pan. If your truck works this way, you would have to support the transfercase with a jack and then unbolt and remove the transmission crossmember, then proceed through the fluid/filter change.

Now, with a pan drop, you only swap out around 50% of the transmission fluid.

Once you are able to cleanly remove the transmission pan, get a large pan ready to catch the transmission fluid that is in the pan. Loosen all of the bolts a few turns, then remove the bolts on one entire side. Leaving the center bolts on the two sides closest to the side you just removed all of the bolts from, remove the others. Now loosen the bolts on the remaining full side until they are approximately 1/8" from the pan. Now loosen the two side bolts. Be aware that once the pan is broke loose, the fluid will start to spill out so have the pan in place. The side bolts will be used to control the angle of the pan while the rear bolts will keep the pan attached to the transmission while still allowing enough of an angle for the transmission pan itself to get most of the old fluid out. Once you have the pan mostly drained out, remove the remaining bolts and pour the rest of the fluid into the drain pan. Next, remove the filter assembly. I believe that out filters just pull out. Remove the filter and allow the transmission to drip off for a bit. Feel up into the bore where the filter neck goes up into. If the rubber seal feels smooth and not torn/rough, then you do not have to remove it. Lubricate the neck on the filter with fresh transmission fluid and push it up into place. Reinstall the transmission pan with a new gasket and then refill the transmission, taking care not to overfill it.

Hope this helps!

 

thanks for the help i might go with a flush and have somebody do it.