MBS Extended Automatic Transmission Dipsticks now available

[Rinn69]

Oh, how I long to check my trans fluid with a Fitzstick on my 2024 F-150 5.0..... I can't wait (but I will) until Mike makes one for my truck, then I can post and poke fun at all those without a MBS Trans dipstick that burn their hands and have to crawl under their trucks. One day........one day my dipstick will come.

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[Fitzmotor]

Hey, it's at the forefront of of my efforts, it's tough to get vehicles to use, I have had a topic over on the F150 forum for a couple of months trying find a truck near me, no luck up until a few days ago, we'll see how it goes, they are quite a ways away from me.

 

[TJC]

Oh, how I long to check my trans fluid with a Fitzstick on my 2024 F-150 5.0..... I can't wait (but I will) until Mike makes one for my truck, then I can post and poke fun at all those without a MBS Trans dipstick that burn their hands and have to crawl under their trucks. One day........one day my dipstick will come.

It was a long painful wait for me.... and worth every minute! Fitz will get it done, and you will not regret the wait. It will surpass your expectations!

 

[2021Ranger]

Hey, it's at the forefront of of my efforts, it's tough to get vehicles to use, I have had a topic over on the F150 forum for a couple of months trying find a truck near me, no luck up until a few days ago, we'll see how it goes, they are quite a ways away from me.

Knowing what you know about the ”how to” do the tube it should be a bit easer to do knowing what
”works”. I have a couple friends here with F150’s waiting for it..

 

[Fitzmotor]

I just need to get one close to me, I actually have found a local one to rent, not sure what engine it has yet, I also tried Turo, where people rent their own vehicles, but nothing was close enough to me.

 

[Doc]

Transmission Dipsticks…

 

[GhostStrykre]

FINALLY DONE. Ordered the MBS stick like 9+ months ago and it’s sat in my garage. Today I had the time and temps were high 50s and cloudy so I went for it.

Followed the instructions for the most part, but I did two things different.
1. I have ford’s maintenance plan so on the last visit I had them loosen the transmission fill bolt and retighten. This made removal EASY for me.
2. I slid the stick down into place to test fit before taking the transmission fill bolt off and left it it place. My engine area is dirty from winter use, so I wanted to minimize risk of dropping debris into the transmission. It was easy to work around and clean necessary parts with brake cleaner and a rag.

As many have stated, install is relatively easy and parts are exceptionally well made. Install video was helpful and I knew where to be careful with stuff. I didn’t have any problems with the a/c line but I REALLY had to bend the L bracket for the wiring loom. All the looms now move freely after installing and are not pinched, but i was surprised how much I had to fiddle here.

Anyway… I know the instructions say it takes a few heat cycles for the stick to settle in for a truly accurate read, but I took the truck for a drive and checked on the most level spot I could get.

The stick was reading right at the 6 mark. So a bit low. There were also some bubbles on the end of the stick, which suggests to me the fluid might be frothing. Not surprising if it’s low?

Guess I might need to accelerate my drain and fill plans to get this truck to a happier place. 92k miles so far. Just a little quirkiness in 4th gear are my only problems.

Anyway… that’s my report on my 2019 Ranger. Highly recommend to others. It’s nice to have the data to know to speed up my maintenance. Here’s some pics of my final install (minus the dipstick itself) that show clearances.

be sure to let me know if I did something exceedingly stupid lol

 

[Stevedbvik1]

FINALLY DONE. Ordered the MBS stick like 9+ months ago and it’s sat in my garage. Today I had the time and temps were high 50s and cloudy so I went for it.

Followed the instructions for the most part, but I did two things different.
1. I have ford’s maintenance plan so on the last visit I had them loosen the transmission fill bolt and retighten. This made removal EASY for me.
2. I slid the stick down into place to test fit before taking the transmission fill bolt off and left it it place. My engine area is dirty from winter use, so I wanted to minimize risk of dropping debris into the transmission. It was easy to work around and clean necessary parts with brake cleaner and a rag.

As many have stated, install is relatively easy and parts are exceptionally well made. Install video was helpful and I knew where to be careful with stuff. I didn’t have any problems with the a/c line but I REALLY had to bend the L bracket for the wiring loom. All the looms now move freely after installing and are not pinched, but i was surprised how much I had to fiddle here.

Anyway… I know the instructions say it takes a few heat cycles for the stick to settle in for a truly accurate read, but I took the truck for a drive and checked on the most level spot I could get.

The stick was reading right at the 6 mark. So a bit low. There were also some bubbles on the end of the stick, which suggests to me the fluid might be frothing. Not surprising if it’s low?

Guess I might need to accelerate my drain and fill plans to get this truck to a happier place. 92k miles so far. Just a little quirkiness in 4th gear are my only problems.

Anyway… that’s my report on my 2019 Ranger. Highly recommend to others. It’s nice to have the data to know to speed up my maintenance. Here’s some pics of my final install (minus the dipstick itself) that show clearances.

be sure to let me know if I did something exceedingly stupid lol

You took it for a drive but do you know what the temperature of the fluid was when you checked it? Makes a difference.

 

[GhostStrykre]

You took it for a drive but do you know what the temperature of the fluid was when you checked it? Makes a difference.

I don’t know the temp exactly, but it was operating temp. Just shy of the midpoint on the temp gauge where it maxes out and holds during normal operation.

EDIT: I do have an OBDII cable, but would need to get my old MacBook set up with bootcamp and figure out Forscan to pull that exact temp. Forscan will tell me the active temp, I’m assuming.

 

[Stevedbvik1]

I don’t know the temp exactly, but it was operating temp. Just shy of the midpoint on the temp gauge where it maxes out and holds during normal operation.

EDIT: I do have an OBDII cable, but would need to get my old MacBook set up with bootcamp and figure out Forscan to pull that exact temp. Forscan will tell me the active temp, I’m assuming.

I would hold off doing anything until you know what the fluid temperature was when observe it at “6”. @TJC has a system set for fluid levels at different temperatures. It really makes a difference in 10 to 15 degrees with how much the fluid expands. You may be ok

 

[GhostStrykre]

I would hold off doing anything until you know what the fluid temperature was when observe it at “6”. @TJC has a system set for fluid levels at different temperatures. It really makes a difference in 10 to 15 degrees with how much the fluid expands. You may be ok

good note. Got some rainy days ahead. Might use em to get the MacBook in a good place with windows so I can use Forscan. Much appreciated!

 

[Mighty Little Blue]

good note. Got some rainy days ahead. Might use em to get the MacBook in a good place with windows so I can use Forscan. Much appreciated!

Forscan is nice to make changes and check for codes. As for monitoring temps I would invest in a Scan Gauge II they are only about $160 on Amazon. With that you can easily monitor what you need. On the main screen I have Trans Temp, Coolant Temp, Battery Voltage and CHT 4 very important numbers to keep an eye on.

 

[RedlandRanger]

Forscan is nice to make changes and check for codes. As for monitoring temps I would invest in a Scan Gauge II they are only about $160 on Amazon. With that you can easily monitor what you need. On the main screen I have Trans Temp, Coolant Temp, Battery Voltage and CHT 4 very important numbers to keep an eye on.

A cheaper option is to get an inexpensive OBDII Bluetooth adapter and then purchasing Torque Pro for your phone. It does a great job for monitoring trans temps and would be significantly cheaper than a Scan Gauge II. I'm sure the Scan Gauge will do more than Torque Pro but if you wouldn't use those features.....

Just another option.

 

[Racket]

This is my funnel. There are many like it, but this one is mine.

 

[Mighty Little Blue]

A cheaper option is to get an inexpensive OBDII Bluetooth adapter and then purchasing Torque Pro for your phone. It does a great job for monitoring trans temps and would be significantly cheaper than a Scan Gauge II. I'm sure the Scan Gauge will do more than Torque Pro but if you wouldn't use those features.....

Just another option.

That is also a good option I did not think of. I used that on a Subaru Forester and it worked great to monitor the CVT which would easily overheat. Main reason I got my Ranger is I was pushing the Subaru way too hard. I took it a lot of places it should not have went. Put bigger KO2 tires, full aluminum skid plates and a small lift it was very capable except for the CVT.

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