If you are thinking about changing your transmission fluid, read this first

[RedlandRanger]

I'm planning on keeping my 2019 for a while yet, and decided I wanted to do some preventative maintenance this weekend. One of the key things I wanted to do was to drop the transmission pan and change the fluid and filter.

I will tell anyone who is thinking about doing this - Don't do it unless you have at least purchased a new pan that has a drain plug. Pulling the pan was a pain, and a HUGE mess. In retrospect, I wish I had been able to replace it with a pan that had a drain plug. Even if you wanted to remove the pan to replace the filter it would be significantly easier and a LOT less messy if you were able to drain the fluid first. There are several options, even the replacement plastic pan with a drain plug. If I had known then what I know now, I would have probably opted for the standard PPE pan, not the additional capacity one. I'm EXTREMELY happy that I had the "FitzStick" to be able to check the fluid and be able to easily refill it. Shout out to @Fitzmotor for an AWESOME product!

While I was doing it, I decided to replace the rear diff fluid (wasn't too bad) and the transfer case fluid (as others have stated, it was a lot worse than I was expecting at 45k). I wanted to do the front diff as well but ran out of time. I will do the front diff, oil change and tire rotation soon.

I can't say I can tell a whole lot of difference in the shifting after changing the fluid - I wasn't having any problems other than the first shift on a cold morning which it has done from day 1, but I'm glad I did this. I'm especially glad I did the transfer case.

The last thing I did was to replace the DPFE sensor as I have had the "bucking and surging" issue a bit at light throttle inputs. Replacing that seems to have fixed it, but that was kind of a pain to get off and replace as well.

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[BillinPCB]

I just changed my trans fluid and replaced the filter. I also have the MBS dipstick and pumped the fluid out through that eliminating the possible huge mess when dropping the pan. I have 72K on my 2019 and the trans fluid was really, really dark! No real shifting issues with mine and hope changing the fluid prevents any occurring.

 

[RedlandRanger]

I just changed my trans fluid and replaced the filter. I also have the MBS dipstick and pumped the fluid out through that eliminating the possible huge mess when dropping the pan. I have 72K on my 2019 and the trans fluid was really, really dark! No real shifting issues with mine and hope changing the fluid prevents any occurring.

I would suggest you change your transfer case fluid as well. My transmission fluid was not too bad, but the transfer case fluid was pretty dark at 45k which really surprised me. I've seen several postings with similar findings. The transfer case change is really simple and only took like 10-15 mins. It has a drain and fill plug - easy, peasy....

 

[MXGOLF]

Thanks for the information Rob and really appreciate it.

 

[Fitzmotor]

Hmm, I have the fluid, I'm going to have to find the time to change the T case fluid, I'm glad you brought it up!

I am also pleased you are happy with the dipstick?

Thank you very much!

 

[Amsoil guy]

I'm planning on keeping my 2019 for a while yet, and decided I wanted to do some preventative maintenance this weekend. One of the key things I wanted to do was to drop the transmission pan and change the fluid and filter.

I will tell anyone who is thinking about doing this - Don't do it unless you have at least purchased a new pan that has a drain plug. Pulling the pan was a pain, and a HUGE mess. In retrospect, I wish I had been able to replace it with a pan that had a drain plug. Even if you wanted to remove the pan to replace the filter it would be significantly easier and a LOT less messy if you were able to drain the fluid first. There are several options, even the replacement plastic pan with a drain plug. If I had known then what I know now, I would have probably opted for the standard PPE pan, not the additional capacity one. I'm EXTREMELY happy that I had the "FitzStick" to be able to check the fluid and be able to easily refill it. Shout out to @Fitzmotor for an AWESOME product!

While I was doing it, I decided to replace the rear diff fluid (wasn't too bad) and the transfer case fluid (as others have stated, it was a lot worse than I was expecting at 45k). I wanted to do the front diff as well but ran out of time. I will do the front diff, oil change and tire rotation soon.

I can't say I can tell a whole lot of difference in the shifting after changing the fluid - I wasn't having any problems other than the first shift on a cold morning which it has done from day 1, but I'm glad I did this. I'm especially glad I did the transfer case.

The last thing I did was to replace the DPFE sensor as I have had the "bucking and surging" issue a bit at light throttle inputs. Replacing that seems to have fixed it, but that was kind of a pain to get off and replace as well.

Where is the DPFE sensor on these trucks?

 

[Msfitoy]

Before MBS came out with the dipstick, I pumped out the fluid from the short dipstick/fill port...7 quarts out...then I lowered the pan...zero mess...

A pan with a drain is great to have but not necessary to change out fluid...

 

[RedlandRanger]

Before MTB came out with the dipstick, I pumped out the fluid from the short dipstick/fill port...7 quarts out...then I lowered the pan...zero mess...

A pan with a drain is great to have but not necessary to change out fluid...

Well, very few things are technically "necessary", but a drain plug is pretty darn handy..... Much easier than pumping fluid out of the fill port.

 

[RedlandRanger]

Where is the DPFE sensor on these trucks?

It is on the drivers side of the engine, kind of next to the brake booster.

This posting shows a picture of its location:

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/bucking-surging-epidemic.14581/post-617753

That thread has a ton of info as well. It is long but has lots of good info in it.

 

[Canadian Ranger]

I'm planning on keeping my 2019 for a while yet, and decided I wanted to do some preventative maintenance this weekend. One of the key things I wanted to do was to drop the transmission pan and change the fluid and filter.

I will tell anyone who is thinking about doing this - Don't do it unless you have at least purchased a new pan that has a drain plug. Pulling the pan was a pain, and a HUGE mess. In retrospect, I wish I had been able to replace it with a pan that had a drain plug. Even if you wanted to remove the pan to replace the filter it would be significantly easier and a LOT less messy if you were able to drain the fluid first. There are several options, even the replacement plastic pan with a drain plug. If I had known then what I know now, I would have probably opted for the standard PPE pan, not the additional capacity one. I'm EXTREMELY happy that I had the "FitzStick" to be able to check the fluid and be able to easily refill it. Shout out to @Fitzmotor for an AWESOME product!

While I was doing it, I decided to replace the rear diff fluid (wasn't too bad) and the transfer case fluid (as others have stated, it was a lot worse than I was expecting at 45k). I wanted to do the front diff as well but ran out of time. I will do the front diff, oil change and tire rotation soon.

I can't say I can tell a whole lot of difference in the shifting after changing the fluid - I wasn't having any problems other than the first shift on a cold morning which it has done from day 1, but I'm glad I did this. I'm especially glad I did the transfer case.

The last thing I did was to replace the DPFE sensor as I have had the "bucking and surging" issue a bit at light throttle inputs. Replacing that seems to have fixed it, but that was kind of a pain to get off and replace as well.

Good info, thanks for posting.

1) Does anyone have positive reviews of the plastic pan with drain that Dorman makes? I've seen reviews that the drain plug leaks and the threads are stripped.

2) The day I changed my transfer case and rear diff fluids ALL my transmission issued disappeared. Shifts gears as smoothly as my parent's corolla now. (both were FULL of metal dust too, to the point the magnets weren't collecting any more)

3) After your transfer case fluid change, do you notice a difference in torque in 4L? My torque easily doubled. My Ranger pulls itself now without pressing on the accelerator. Acts just like the crawler gear in the manual Bronco.

 

[Msfitoy]

Well, very few things are technically "necessary", but a drain plug is pretty darn handy..... Much easier than pumping fluid out of the fill port.

True...but hey, after draining you still gotta pump fluid back in the same hole lol...

 

[Rocketeer61]

I'm planning on keeping my 2019 for a while yet, and decided I wanted to do some preventative maintenance this weekend. One of the key things I wanted to do was to drop the transmission pan and change the fluid and filter.

I will tell anyone who is thinking about doing this - Don't do it unless you have at least purchased a new pan that has a drain plug. Pulling the pan was a pain, and a HUGE mess. In retrospect, I wish I had been able to replace it with a pan that had a drain plug. Even if you wanted to remove the pan to replace the filter it would be significantly easier and a LOT less messy if you were able to drain the fluid first. There are several options, even the replacement plastic pan with a drain plug. If I had known then what I know now, I would have probably opted for the standard PPE pan, not the additional capacity one. I'm EXTREMELY happy that I had the "FitzStick" to be able to check the fluid and be able to easily refill it. Shout out to @Fitzmotor for an AWESOME product!

While I was doing it, I decided to replace the rear diff fluid (wasn't too bad) and the transfer case fluid (as others have stated, it was a lot worse than I was expecting at 45k). I wanted to do the front diff as well but ran out of time. I will do the front diff, oil change and tire rotation soon.

I can't say I can tell a whole lot of difference in the shifting after changing the fluid - I wasn't having any problems other than the first shift on a cold morning which it has done from day 1, but I'm glad I did this. I'm especially glad I did the transfer case.

The last thing I did was to replace the DPFE sensor as I have had the "bucking and surging" issue a bit at light throttle inputs. Replacing that seems to have fixed it, but that was kind of a pain to get off and replace as well.

Isn't it amazing that in the 21st Century, where we've split the atom and gone to Space, we still don't have drain plugs as standard equipment? Why???

 

[5thranger]

Hmm, I have the fluid, I'm going to have to find the time to change the T case fluid, I'm glad you brought it up!

I am also pleased you are happy with the dipstick?

Thank you very much!

I want to order one, how long is the backlog.

 

[RedlandRanger]

3) After your transfer case fluid change, do you notice a difference in torque in 4L? My torque easily doubled. My Ranger pulls itself now without pressing on the accelerator. Acts just like the crawler gear in the manual Bronco.

I rarely use 4L, so can't comment on that.

True...but hey, after draining you still gotta pump fluid back in the same hole lol...

Not with the FitzStick! You have gravity working for you there!

 

[RedlandRanger]

Isn't it amazing that in the 21st Century, where we've split the atom and gone to Space, we still don't have drain plugs as standard equipment? Why???

My guess is that there is more of a move to "permanent" fluids (meaning no need to change or even check). Kind of like sealed bearings instead of bearings that need to be packed.

I still think it is stupid for a part that cannot possibly add much at all to the overall cost. It would certainly be paid in labor for the first time you need to drain the fluid - but manufacturers don't have to pay for that labor usually.

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