Easiest way to change transmission fluid?

[ccasanova22]

Hey fellow forum folks,

I’m approaching 30k on my 2022 and want to change the trans fluid (due to all the people with trans failures giving me pause about keeping the fluid in for too long).

Should I let the engine pump the old fluid out, 1 quart a time, thru a trans cooler hose?

Drop the pan or use a drain plug (if there is one, haven’t gotten under to check)?

Use some sort of tool to pump out or siphon out fluid?

Or should I be prepared for a full fluid & filter change (messy)?

Was really hoping there is a way to change the fluid like on Toyotas and Nissans, where you just drain out what’s there & put the same amount back in via the dipstick hole.

Also, as close as the dipstick is to the exhaust, can I just put the same amount back in to avoid getting burned when the tranny is 180-220F (and likely exhaust is a lot more)?

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[RedlandRanger]

After having done this recently (see this thread: https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/thre...our-transmission-fluid-read-this-first.29154/) I wouldn't attempt it until/unless you have a real dipstick - see @Fitzmotor's EXCELLENT dipstick he built for our Rangers: https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/remote-transmission-dip-stick-aftermarket-support.24547/.

With that said, the easiest way would most likely be to pump out the fluid from the dipstick and then re-fill the same amount that you took out. I would purchase a new pan with a drain plug and drop the pan (which is messy) and get the FitzStick - once you've installed both of those, future drain/fill will be easy.

 

[Msfitoy]

I use a $25 reversible transfer pump with 1/4" vinyl hose...insert tube into fill hole till it bottoms out at lowest level of sump...same with Fitzstick except you'll need longer tubes...quick, easy and clean...

I note how much was pumped out (mine was 7 quarts) and fill with same amount...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0967G79FL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

[fjwlobo]

2nd on what @RedlandRanger said ?.

Only thing I didn't see is that you may want to get an INCH-pound torque wrench for installing the pan/filter. Whatever you do don't use a foot-pound torque wrench as you will more than likely snap the heads off the bolts and that will create a whole new problem.

Mike (@Fitzmotor) has a fantastic product worth getting. He's also great to work with as MANY people on here will tell you and will answer any questions you may have ?.

I have a pump/Fitzstick/Mishimoto pan/fluid sitting ready and will finally be changing it Memorial day week (after gathering dust all winter ?).

 

[Fx4ranger2019Larait]

Just changed mine yesterday

Definitely easy if you have a Fitzstick like others have said. Worth every penny and way easier to check after. BTW think I overfilled going to siphon some out later today.

I’d recommend getting a aftermarket pan, new filter and the seal where filter goes in it’s a 6$ part on Amazon. Benefits of new pan are better cooling drain plug and it’s metal not plastic.

Here’s a link for seal if anyone interested
https://a.co/d/bfiyAPF

The pump method is the way to go. I have a hand pump, but it was a pain but easier than taking a shower of ATF. I’d recommend a 12 V pump like Msfitoy recommended. I siphoned all the ATF through the dipstick into an old 5 quart oil jug. Took old pan off and it was almost empty. Easiest transmission service I’ve done.

I also did transfer case like Redland Ranger recommended on a previous post earlier this week or last week. When I change the transfer case, the fluid was extremely bad I’m at 65K miles I measured what I pulled out and it was barely over a quart. I was able to get almost two quarts back in. Probably part of the reason why the fluid is extremely worn out is because it’s not at capacity.

 

[Deleted User 61245811]

At 61k miles, I just replaced the stock plastic pan and filter with the PPE deep pan and Fitz stick. I took a sample of the old fluid (1st drain) and sent it to Blackstone Labs. I’ll share the results when I get it back. Visually it looked nasty. I gave it to a shop to do the original drop and drain and change the filter. A few miles later, I popped the plug to (2nd) drain and then refill. Easier than an oil change after the new pan. In total I drained out 4+ gallons. Now the fluid on the fits stick is so clean I can barely see it. Ps Thanks to a fellow forum member sending out a notice about Valvoline ULV on sale at NAPA for $6.74 a quart. Regular $14+. I bought 24 quarts. It’s worth waiting for a sale.

 

[moorejl57]

Since you are still under the powertrain warranty, I would use the Msfittoy method which leaves no trace that you did anything. I am about ready the buy the pump myself.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

 

[ccasanova22]

Since you are still under the powertrain warranty, I would use the Msfittoy method which leaves no trace that you did anything. I am about ready the buy the pump myself.

Thanks! I also see on Amazon several adapters to get to the fill port, they say it’s “recommended for Ford applications”. Did anyone use these special right angle tools or is a flex hose (like aquarium hoses) good enough?

 

[Racket]

Me? Easiest method was pay the dealership $300 to do it - just drain and fill. Except they did the $400 service that dropped the pan and replaced the filter which at 40,000 miles I didn't think necessary. So the service manager issued a $100 credit towards my next service.

I had previously installed the Fitzstick (#21) and was happy the truck came with the proper amount of fluid (hoping it staves off failure) but after servicing I discovered the level low. Added 12 ounces of Lubeguard Platinum and it's darn near perfect maybe off a hair.

 

[HeatXfer]

Ps Thanks to a fellow forum member sending out a notice about Valvoline ULV on sale at NAPA for $6.74 a quart. Regular $14+. I bought 24 quarts. It’s worth waiting for a sale.

It's on sale again this month: $6.49/qt, reg $17.29!! (Bay Area, Calif)

 

[TJC]

I use a $25 reversible transfer pump with 1/4" vinyl hose...insert tube into fill hole till it bottoms out at lowest level of sump...same with Fitzstick except you'll need longer tubes...quick, easy and clean...

I note how much was pumped out (mine was 7 quarts) and fill with same amount...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0967G79FL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

I used a similar pump ($21.99). It came with 48" inlet and outlet tubes, and it reached the bottom going through the FitzStick dipstick. I took out 7.5 quarts and put 7 back with a 10oz bottle of LubeGuard Platinum ($16.20).. Had 20K on the transmission, and all my shifting problems magically disappeared. My problems began at 5K miles and grew progressively worse. The fluid came out black! I let the truck sit over night before beginning.

I've gone about 700 miles since the work and all is fine. Shifts like new.

I marked up three 1 gallon windshield washer fluid jugs at 1 quart intervals. (Just added a quart of water 4 times marking the level with a black Sharpie Marker the night before) The pump pulls slow enough to all me to stop at exact levels. Refilled through the Fitzstick.

Going this route was quick and easy, and I didn't spill a drop! I didn't crawl under the truck, and I wasn't dealing with hot fluid. 30 minutes and much less trouble than an oil change!

I will highly recommend that you add the LubeGuard Platinum. This stuff works! Ford needs to put this in from the factory. ctechbob recommended it to me. I was a skeptic and after a year of increasingly painful transmission issues I tried it. If you plan on keeping the truck do yourself a favor and add it.

 

[Cmar]

My Global uses the 6R80 six speed. But I imagine the procedure is the same. I did this at 100,000 Km (60,000 miles) I used a vacuum pump and put the probe down the dipstick hole until it bottomed. It then let me suck out 4 litres of oil, put 4 back, drove it for a week and then repeated the exercise two more times, I estimated that the oil was by then 90% new, it certainly looked cleaner, and the box shifted much better too.

 

[ctechbob]

My Global uses the 6R80 six speed. But I imagine the procedure is the same. I did this at 100,000 Km (60,000 miles) I used a vacuum pump and put the probe down the dipstick hole until it bottomed. It then let me suck out 4 litres of oil, put 4 back, drove it for a week and then repeated the exercise two more times, by then I estimated that the oil was by then 90% new, it certainly looked cleaner, and the box shifted much better too.

I think the 6R and the 10R are very similar as far as the dipstick hole where you stick it.

I don't have a picture of the one I made, but you can make a very cheap and simple version of this tool:

Simply head to Home Depot and pick up one of these:

.
One end should already be straight, cut the part in the picture above off with your favorite cutting tool.

Fill with sand, tape over the ends. Yes, fill with sand, you are going to bend the pipe and the sand will keep it from kinking.

Heat with a torch and bend. Clean up and you're done.

You've now created a $5 version of the tool. Stuff the end in the pump tubing and suck away.

 

[Cmar]

I used one of these to suck it out, worked a treat.

https://www.repco.com.au/oils-fluid...tractor-6l-roe6l/p/A5465142?kwSearch=oil pump

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