Hand-pumped 2-gallon ATF fill can with 15 aluminum adapters for sealed transmissions that have no dipstick and fill from a side or bottom check plug.
The ZF eight-speed in a Ram 1500, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Charger or a BMW has no dipstick and no pour-down tube. You refill it through a screw plug on the side of the case, and ZF wants the level set within a narrow temperature window. This 7.5 liter (about 2 gallon) hand pump kit is built around that job: a 15 inch crank handle, a 1.2 meter clear delivery hose with an inline ball valve, and a quick coupler that snaps onto any of 15 threaded aluminum fill adapters.
ZF Service Information 50130 spells out the level check. With the oil at 30 to 50 C, start the engine, hold 2,000 rpm for about 30 seconds to fill the converter, then let it idle. Select P, R and D, shift manually into D1 and D2 and hold each for about 10 seconds. Open the fill screw. If no oil runs out, add the specified ZF LifeguardFluid until it does, then wait until only single drops come from the hole and close the plug. ZF warns that too little oil damages the transmission, and too much leaks out of the overflow when it heats up, where it can ignite on the exhaust.
That procedure is why the ball valve matters. You add fluid with the engine running and stop the instant it starts to run back. A flick of the valve cuts flow without fluid draining back down the hose, and the clear line shows air bubbles before they go into the case.
Our 8HP fluid leak guide covers pan, plug and seal leaks so you can rule them out before blaming the level.
You need a scan tool that reads transmission oil temperature, because the 8HP level is only valid between 30 and 50 C. Work out your fluid and fill before the pan comes off with our ZF 8HP fluid type and capacity guide, and for the truck itself follow the Ram 1500 8HP fluid change. GEARS Magazine notes that most makers using the 8-speed recommend a fluid and filter change around 70,000 to 80,000 miles, the same interval ZF gives.
This is a universal tool. The 15 aluminum adapters cover common fill-plug threads, and the hose fits any of them through the quick coupler, so it also works on transfer cases and differentials that fill from a side plug. The 8HP is used across Chrysler, Jeep, Ram, BMW, Audi, Jaguar and Land Rover, and plug threads are not identical across every version, so test-fit an adapter in your fill hole by hand before you drain anything. If nothing matches, add the 27-piece fill adapter kit. Hard parts for the eight-speed are on our ZF 8HP collection page.
The can is thickened polypropylene with a wide round base that stays put while you crank. The kit ships in a molded case with nitrile gloves, an 8 mm/10 mm wrench, a two-way screwdriver and spare pump-head screws and nuts. Total weight is 8.5 lb.
| Capacity | 7.5 L (about 2 gallons) |
| Adapters | 15 threaded aluminum ATF fill adapters in carry case |
| Delivery hose | 1.2 m clear nylon with ball valve and quick coupler |
| Hand crank | 15 in detachable metal handle with brass check valve |
| Can material | Thickened polypropylene |
| Includes | Gloves, 8/10mm wrench, screwdriver, spare screws and nuts |
| Weight | 8.5 lb |
Yes, as long as one of the 15 adapters matches your fill plug thread. Test-fit by hand before you drain. The 8HP fills from a side screw plug, which is what this kit is made for.
ZF specifies 30 to 50 C oil temperature (Maserati 50 to 60 C). Read it with a scan tool. Fill until oil runs out of the fill hole, then close the plug when only single drops come out.
You add fluid with the engine running and must stop the moment it starts to run back. The valve cuts flow instantly without fluid draining back down the hose.
No. It is a hand-crank pump with a 15 inch handle, so it works anywhere.
Yes. The check valve keeps fluid in the line between strokes, so it handles gear oil in side-fill differentials and transfer cases. Rinse the can between fluid types.
