Transmission Drain Plug for Stock Pan

[Frenchy]

according to this article Ford uses one on the 2.7 and it does leak sometimes. I would think a plastic oil pan can be as robust as metal but it likely becomes a matter of cost. Not sure if plastic holds up over time as well metal though.

https://www.ecogard.com/service-professionals-should-be-wary-fords-plastic-oil-pans-drain-plugs/

That would be a question for @P. A. Schilke

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[P. A. Schilke]

That would be a question for @P. A. Schilke

Hi Chris,

Materials technology continues to evolve. Ford is continuously testing new materials and trying to ensure life of the vehicle durability using accelerated methodology and field applications in other than vehicles if available. I have no idea of the plastic oil pan on Ranger. The "leaks" sometimes is likely vendor quality and SQA has the lead in these cases, but can lob it back to the design engineer if it proves to be design related. Do we hit a home run every time? No, but it is rare. Relative to cost..there are certainly advantages to using lower cost products if they meet the vehicle lifetime. Stamping metal oil pans with die costs and such can be avoided with molded plastic pans for example as die changes due to wear and such all most eliminated.

"Likely may not hold up" is merely an opinion...not fact and 2.7 leaks are may be true, but why is not concretely id'd as to root cause...

Best,
Phil

 

[GitRDone]

My 06 Z4 also has a plastic pan on its (ZF) trans. This pan has an integrated filter, so a new filter means a new pan. Is Ranger similar?

 

[Beez]

Please, no offense gents, but I was really hoping to see allot more discussion about the original thread subject line, instead of shifting (pun intended) into another worn out discussion about the ridiculously expensive PPE cover.. Yeah, yeah, sure, I get all of the benefits of the pan swap, but the price (imho) puts it light years out of even a remote consideration, regardless of all the self convincing rhetoric to make the jump. The $250 B&M Dipstick is another example of pure insanity..
As far as drain plug kits, I've installed them before, both on my vehicles & tractor, and have never been disappointed. After looking over several models and their price, I strongly believe that the "Shift Technology Products" item has the overall best design: Universal Drain Plug, Model #K032 SUP. Besides the nylon bushing found on others, you'll notice it also includes an O-ring that seats into the internal pan back-up nut for better sealing. - Pricing for the same item ranges anywhere from $14.95 - $30 depending on where you shop. You can typically get them from your local auto supplier, or through JEGS, Summit and also Amazon, but ebay (As much as I hate ever dealing with them) has had the best prices I've found on line.

In the coming weeks I plan on installing the Shift plug, as well as the FitzStick. I've also found Triax ULV Synthetic ATF at much more reasonable price as a replacement.. I'll try to take some pics to post when done.

 

[ctechbob]

Please, no offense gents, but I was really hoping to see allot more discussion about the original thread subject line, instead of shifting (pun intended) into another worn out discussion about the ridiculously expensive PPE cover.. Yeah, yeah, sure, I get all of the benefits of the pan swap, but the price (imho) puts it light years out of even a remote consideration, regardless of all the self convincing rhetoric to make the jump. The $250 B&M Dipstick is another example of pure insanity..
As far as drain plug kits, I've installed them before, both on my vehicles & tractor, and have never been disappointed. After looking over several models and their price, I strongly believe that the "Shift Technology Products" item has the overall best design: Universal Drain Plug, Model #K032 SUP. Besides the nylon bushing found on others, you'll notice it also includes an O-ring that seats into the internal pan back-up nut for better sealing. - Pricing for the same item ranges anywhere from $14.95 - $30 depending on where you shop. You can typically get them from your local auto supplier, or through JEGS, Summit and also Amazon, but ebay (As much as I hate ever dealing with them) has had the best prices I've found on line.

In the coming weeks I plan on installing the Shift plug, as well as the FitzStick. I've also found Triax ULV Synthetic ATF at much more reasonable price as a replacement.. I'll try to take some pics to post when done.

Yes to everything but the Triax. They have a history of mislabled oils and I don't consider them a valid replacement.

There are a handful of ULV oils out there, but the most affordable tend to be Motorcraft unless you can get the Valvoline on sale at NAPA, which they run every couple months or so. Also look for the Dexron ULV.. Same fluid, sometimes cheaper.

 

[brroberts]

Can’t help on plugging stock pan. I saw unprotected plastic and at 30K miles I did the standard PPE pan and get a 10 degree temp reduction towing. Works for me.

 

[DavidR]

Please, no offense gents, but I was really hoping to see allot more discussion about the original thread subject line, instead of shifting (pun intended) into another worn out discussion about the ridiculously expensive PPE cover..

Thanks for pulling the thread back on topic. I've also been thinking of doing this since I like to change the trans oil more often than the book says (a separate debate covered by several other threads). Thanks for pointing out some of the brands of plugs to look for.

Another option I've been using until now is an extractor pump (linked below). It doesn't take that long to use, but it's not as convenient as a drain plug, which I'd like to switch to at some point when I have the time to drop the pan and do the install.

https://www.amazon.com/Mityvac-MVA6...B0741G9P6R/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1RDLPX02DG49H&th=1

 

[HeatXfer]

Can’t help on plugging stock pan. I saw unprotected plastic and at 30K miles I did the standard PPE pan and get a 10 degree temp reduction towing. Works for me.

I went with the standard PPE pan too. Before that I could get 200°F going up hill at 40mph in 2nd gear, now I'm hard pressed to hit 190°.

EDIT: I've got a stock 10R80 pan if anybody wants it. Just PM me and we'll figure out how to get it to you.

 

[Beez]

Transmission Plug Kit Installed "$12.95"

 

[airline tech]

Transmission Plug Kit Installed "$12.95"

Looks Good, but just curious without physically looking at the Pan.
Are the external grid lines - (omitted at that spot) or did you have to level them off with a die grinder?

Also, for those that want to do this (mod) what drill size for the hole?

 

[Swede726]

Dorman makes what looks like an oem transmission pan for the 10r80 and added a drain plug. It's only $65. Dorman part number 265-897. Does anyone have one?

Product Description
On certain Ford and Lincoln vehicles, when a transmission pan is leaking or in need of routine service, loosening and lowering that fluid-filled pan is a messy business. This Dorman OE FIX transmission oil pan is designed to match the fit and function of the original equipment pan but is upgraded with a drain plug to allow the trans fluid to be drained before servicing the pan.

 

[Langwilliams]

Dorman makes what looks like an oem transmission pan for the 10r80 and added a drain plug. It's only $65. Dorman part number 265-897. Does anyone have one?

Product Description
On certain Ford and Lincoln vehicles, when a transmission pan is leaking or in need of routine service, loosening and lowering that fluid-filled pan is a messy business. This Dorman OE FIX transmission oil pan is designed to match the fit and function of the original equipment pan but is upgraded with a drain plug to allow the trans fluid to be drained before servicing the pan.

I was interested in one of these then I saw some bad reviews somewhere. I am kinda reluctant to believe negative reviews if there's only a few since people are far more likely to complain about a bad or imperfect part than they are to give a positive review. I wish I bookmarked it so I could go back time to time to see if the review count goes up an if some positive ones show up.

Amazon reviews aren't promising https://www.amazon.com/Dorman-265-897-Transmission-Compatible-Lincoln/dp/B0CGGJGNCY

 

[Grish]

I started the post about the Dorman pan inquiring about any usage. I went ahead and purchased for same reasons you are thinking. I could not stop the first one from leaking at the gasket. Sent it back and got a new one. I was never able to stop the second one from leaking at the drain. After removing both pans a combined 6 times I threw the second in the trash and put the stock back on. I’m fast enough now I can have the heat shields and all bolts off, pan dropped and back on in less than 10 minutes. Not that that matters but I have no good words for the Dorman pan. Maybe I got the only 2 bad ones and you’re good to go ahead and order. Maybe not.

 

[Langwilliams]

I started the post about the Dorman pan inquiring about any usage. I went ahead and purchased for same reasons you are thinking. I could not stop the first one from leaking at the gasket. Sent it back and got a new one. I was never able to stop the second one from leaking at the drain. After removing both pans a combined 6 times I threw the second in the trash and put the stock back on. I’m fast enough now I can have the heat shields and all bolts off, pan dropped and back on in less than 10 minutes. Not that that matters but I have no good words for the Dorman pan. Maybe I got the only 2 bad ones and you’re good to go ahead and order. Maybe not.

Thanks for the update. You probably saved me a few bucks an a lot of headaches

 

[5thranger]

Exactly what I have heard about the Dorman pan, people end up putting a stock one back on.

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