Do you service your own transmission?

H

Homerr

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I had my dealer do mine for the first time.<br />I'm not sure if I'll have them do it again, due to the cost.<br />The only thing that scares me away from doing it myself is the mess.<br /><br />I put custom drain pans with oil plugs on my other cars when I did the transmission myself, but I don't know if there is one available for my Ranger yet.<br /><br />Does anyone know if I can get a pan that has a drain plug for my Ranger:<br /><br />2001 Ford Ranger, XLT SuperCab, SOHC V6.<br />5 speed automatic.<br /><br />There are a few different transmissions that were available in that year. I don't know which one I have, however the Ford filter they used last time was:<br /><br />XL2Z-7A098-DA and F5TZ-7A191-A<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />H.
 
Kenneth Brown

Kenneth Brown

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Feb 3, 2003
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Re: Do you service your own transmission?

I do my own. You can get a drain plug kit for about $10 at Autozone/OReillys type places. Just drill a hole and put the kit in, real simple. The only drawback they may have is the drain point is about 1/4 inch above the floor of the pan, which leaves some fluid and residue still in it. If you are just doing the plug to keep the mess down and still drop the pan thats not a problem. We used these on the race cars where we changed the fluid about every 5-6 race and fluid and filter both every 11-12 race.
 
ezbtr

ezbtr

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Re: Do you service your own transmission?

Originally posted by Homerr:<br />I had my dealer do mine for the first time.<br />I'm not sure if I'll have them do it again, due to the cost.<br />The only thing that scares me away from doing it myself is the mess.<br /><br />I put custom drain pans with oil plugs on my other cars when I did the transmission myself, but I don't know if there is one available for my Ranger yet.<br />I echo Kens reply, get a plug kit - cheap, also ADD a magnet to lowest inside part of pan(small fridge type)can get all burrs then too. Sure can save some dough that way, Heinz<br />P.S. an external cooler add on is a PLUS!<br />Does anyone know if I can get a pan that has a drain plug for my Ranger:<br /><br />2001 Ford Ranger, XLT SuperCab, SOHC V6.<br />5 speed automatic.<br /><br />There are a few different transmissions that were available in that year. I don't know which one I have, however the Ford filter they used last time was:<br /><br />XL2Z-7A098-DA and F5TZ-7A191-A<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />H.
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H

Homerr

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Re: Do you service your own transmission?

I did some searching, and found some custom pans, but OUCH! $190+<br />Too rich for my everyday runner.<br /><br />I've seen those plug kits, but I worry about them leaking. Dunno..never tried one. <br />I always replaced the pan with a larger capacity one with a built-in drain plug. Two birds with one stone.<br /><br />And yes, the truck came factory with an external cooler. I'm a firm believer in those.<br />I'm also thinking of adding an external filter as well. I did this on my '76 Ford C6.<br /><br />I don't know about Ford's newer transmissions, but the older ones didn't have the best filter system. <br /><br />H.
 
M

Matt O

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Aug 23, 2003
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Re: Do you service your own transmission?

Yes I service my own transmission and also service those of several customers. IMHO and in my experience droppping the trans and changing out 4-5 quarts of fluid and a new filter isn't servicing a trans. You haven't done much of a service. The idea of servicing a trans is to replace the lifeblood of the trans. And thats the fluid. A trans flush with a flush machine is what needs to be done. Change out all the fluid and the trans will have a much better chance at lasting longer and running cooler. In my experience if the filter needs changed its normally too late for that trans and only fix is gonna be to Overhaul it. BTW your Ranger has a 5R55E trans and uses Mercon V fluid.<br /><br />Matt
 
ezbtr

ezbtr

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Re: Do you service your own transmission?

Originally posted by Homerr:<br />I had my dealer do mine for the first time.<br />I'm not sure if I'll have them do it again, due to the cost.<br />The only thing that scares me away from doing it myself is the mess.<br /><br />I put custom drain pans with oil plugs on my other cars when I did the transmission myself, but I don't know if there is one available for my Ranger yet.<br />Dang my post didnt take, yup chg it every 12k, ext. cooler BEST and filter, sure flush BEST but expensive. Remeber, they havent ahd "flushes" since "recent", I guess depends on your type, but I got easy 150K(was good when sold)out of t350 No rblds. Heinz<br /><br />Does anyone know if I can get a pan that has a drain plug for my Ranger:<br /><br />2001 Ford Ranger, XLT SuperCab, SOHC V6.<br />5 speed automatic.<br /><br />There are a few different transmissions that were available in that year. I don't know which one I have, however the Ford filter they used last time was:<br /><br />XL2Z-7A098-DA and F5TZ-7A191-A<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />H.
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H

Homerr

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Re: Do you service your own transmission?

How many of you use an external filter?<br /><br />Like I said... I use them on my older truck, and I think they help.<br /><br />I wonder if I would mess with my warranty if I put one on my Ranger?<br /><br />With all the fancy computer stuff on my Ranger... Could I even put an external filter on?<br /><br />H.
 
Z

ZmOz

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Aug 13, 2003
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Re: Do you service your own transmission?

I will be installing an inline filter on my cherokee soon. You can install it on anything you can install a tranny cooler on. I would never let anyone else change any of my fluids, because most people that work in those places are idiots. :) If you're worried about the mess disconnect one of your cooler lines and put it into a bucket. Turn on the engine and let it pump out it's own fluid, turn it off as soon as it begins to bubble...
 
Boomyal

Boomyal

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Re: Do you service your own transmission?

Come on Heinz, spit it out. :D
 
ezbtr

ezbtr

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Re: Do you service your own transmission?

Man I kept gettin poofed that day! Ok OK I know to not include quotes but it seems to not get back to orig poster???? for answer? But yeah, I change all my own fluids too, those guys at "Minute Lube" dont care bout ****, leave oil filters on finger tight, grease all over exhaust manifold that smokes for 3 days - no way! I do it cheaper and better:)Diffs, trannies, motors etc. :)
 
Scoop

Scoop

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Re: Do you service your own transmission?

I used to do it until I realized that I was not changing most of the fluid. NOw, I have the dealer do it. They get all the fluid changed and I don't have to find a place to dispose of it.
 
H

Homerr

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Re: Do you service your own transmission?

Which cooler line is the OUTBOUND line?<br /><br />I think it was the one closest to the torque convertor?<br /><br />I've pumped it out that way too, by pulling off one line and starting the engine for a few.<br /><br />I'd like to put an external filter on while I'm in there getting messy, and if memory serves, you have to install it on the pressurized line and not the return one.<br /><br />H.
 
D

DJ

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Re: Do you service your own transmission?

Homerr,<br /><br />Ford offers an external filter. It goes under the Motorcraft name and is standard issue with any remanufactured Motorcraft transmission.<br /><br />It is an in-line filter and is of the highest quality.<br /><br />You will have to cut a line to install it, but everything is in the kit. The instructions are very clear.
 
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