Transmission Fluid Swap

[isthismyusername]

Just removed and replaced about 5 quarts of transmission fluid. Photos are pretty standard for used transmission fluid but needless to say I’m glad I replaced a few quarts to get at least some new fluid in there. 73,200 miles on the fluid, haven’t done heavy towing but do occasionally tow a uhaul trailer or a boat when at the lake. If you’re on the fence about doing this I don’t think it’s an awful idea. It was pretty simple with an electric pump to remove and then replace the fluid.

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[Dereku]

Just imagine how bad the filter is too! Fair warning this stuff is labeled as poison too. For any one else handling this themselves.

 

[Old Red Replacement]

FYI, it’s well documented on U Tube and Ranger5G.com how to drop and change fluid & filter.

Open U - Tube search and put in Ford Ranger 10R80, it’s not true it’s not a DIY job.

Up grade to PPE pan with drain plug, new filter, and ULV fluid. Expect to spend $500 +more
if you have a shop do it. I was 75 when I did it lying on grass, of course ramps, or lift would make it easier, but not necessary.

 

[dozxab]

FYI, it’s well documented on U Tube and Ranger5G.com how to drop and change fluid & filter.

Open U - Tube search and put in Ford Ranger 10R80, it’s not true it’s not a DIY job.

Up grade to PPE pan with drain plug, new filter, and ULV fluid. Expect to spend $500 +more
if you have a shop do it. I was 75 when I did it lying on grass, of course ramps, or lift would make it easier, but not necessary.

I plan on doing the same to mine in May. Anything to look out for? 4 years younger, FWIW.

 

[Old Red Replacement]

The hardest part is breaking loose the cap on the OEM dipstick in hard to get too location . It’s odd size 19 mm six sided will work, You may need extra leverage or
soft blow hammer.

sucked out fluid with 12V fluid pump, note location and size of pan bolts.

 

[dozxab]

The hardest part is breaking loose the cap on the OEM dipstick in hard to get too location . It’s odd size 19 mm six sided will work, You may need extra leverage or
soft blow hammer.

sucked out fluid with 12V fluid pump, note location and size of pan bolts.

Thanks, I got a good wrench for that I hope and a 12V pump. Still mulling the bolt situation. I may make a cardboard mock up of the pan to hold the bolts.

 

[GhostStrykre]

FYI, it’s well documented on U Tube and Ranger5G.com how to drop and change fluid & filter.

Open U - Tube search and put in Ford Ranger 10R80, it’s not true it’s not a DIY job.

Up grade to PPE pan with drain plug, new filter, and ULV fluid. Expect to spend $500 +more
if you have a shop do it. I was 75 when I did it lying on grass, of course ramps, or lift would make it easier, but not necessary.

maaaan that black PPE pan looks so good. shame it's on the bottom of the truck.

i need to swap the transmission fluid on both my ranger AND my 4Runner... that's gonna be a saturday job.

 

[ctechbob]

Thanks, I got a good wrench for that I hope and a 12V pump. Still mulling the bolt situation. I may make a cardboard mock up of the pan to hold the bolts.

Just get a paint pen and mark the pan where the studs are. Long as you don't hose it down with brake cleaner the marks will stay until you get everything back together. All the studs are the same and all the bolts are the same, so there's no worry about mixing them up.

 

[dozxab]

Just get a paint pen and mark the pan where the studs are. Long as you don't hose it down with brake cleaner the marks will stay until you get everything back together. All the studs are the same and all the bolts are the same, so there's no worry about mixing them up.

Nice! Thank you! I am replacing the pan so I can pre-mark the new pan.

 

[ctechbob]

Nice! Thank you! I am replacing the pan so I can pre-mark the new pan.

And if the paint bugs you, a quick spritz with brake cleaner and it goes away. Also useful for putting witness marks on bolts you've torqued so you know you got them all.

 

[Tfcurranjr]

My 2019’s fluid was coffee-colored with an extremely dirty filter at 65,000 miles. Never towed anything. So, I wonder: Has anyone gone Ford’s whole ‘150,000 miles’ before servicing it…without any issues?

 

[ctechbob]

My 2019’s fluid was coffee-colored with an extremely dirty filter at 65,000 miles. Never towed anything. So, I wonder: Has anyone gone Ford’s whole ‘150,000 miles’ before servicing it…without any issues?

There are some that have, probably plenty in the grand scheme of things....but, no way I would. Too much of a crap shoot with a transmission that is already a crap shoot to start off with.

Remember that Ford's recommendation comes not from the engineers, but from marketing that loves the phrase 'low cost of ownership'. As long as the vehicle makes it out of warranty, they are in the clear. Add to that, there are plenty of court documents floating about where manufacturers talk about 'design life' and that number is a lot lower than you would think it would be in many cases.

 

[Dereku]

The studs and bolts are not terribly hard to keep in the right holes. All the studs hold something else. I did have to swap one out because I messed up but it was before torque.

Adding a trans dipstick is a must for checking fluid levels too. Factory one is a joke, even Ford techs hate it

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