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700+ dollars for a trans spill and fill?

Frenchy

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Oh, that's right it was the T case, and the other one I believe is power steering.
Indeed. If not mistaken the FX4 came with the Tcase and the fancy front skid. The steering skid I believe was on all 4x4 models and some 2WD models. My 2019 had the steering skid and the non fancy front skid. Then I added the fancy skid and the Tcase skid.
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Msfitoy

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Just got a quote from the only shop I trust to work on my cars. Plan was trans and diff at 30k. I don't have anywhere truly flat to drop the pan then make 100% sure the fluid is right afterwards

Does that sound right? Most of the cost is labor.

Might take a shot at this myself at that cost if it is, yikes.... Ill fell better about doing myself once the reasonably priced dipstick is ready. Hell I might be able to get the stick and the bigger metal pan for what they want.

$700 was trans only. I planned on doing the diff.
DIY...I'm no mechanic and changed the filter and fluid in my garage...not hard...the diffs super easy...you can enjoy a six pack while doing it...
 

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Does that include a replacement pan? As I hear those are plastic and one use only and that you need a new one after removal. Better to go with the PPE cast aluminum pan, so I hear.

No, this pan is reusable. The ZF8 pan might be what you're thinking of, which has the filter built into the pan and must be replaced to change the filter.

You also don't necessarily have to replace the filter. Personally, I feel the filter is good for about 60K, but before then you should do at least a couple of drains and fills, which don't require removing the pan. The fluid can be vacuumed out through the fill port and replaced pretty easily. Any competent DIY'er or shop can accomplish this.

Rockauto carries Mercon ULV for about $7 a quart shipped. Valvoline ULV can be had for about $9/qt shipped.

There's also no need to have the thing scorching hot to check. You can check it cold, as long as it is at the bottom of the acceptable level when cold, it will be spot on when it warms up.

Video bookmarked to the spot he discusses checking the fluid.

 
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5thranger

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Just got a quote from the only shop I trust to work on my cars. Plan was trans and diff at 30k. I don't have anywhere truly flat to drop the pan then make 100% sure the fluid is right afterwards

Does that sound right? Most of the cost is labor.

Might take a shot at this myself at that cost if it is, yikes.... Ill fell better about doing myself once the reasonably priced dipstick is ready. Hell I might be able to get the stick and the bigger metal pan for what they want.

$700 was trans only. I planned on doing the diff.
Make sure to collect some of the trans fluid for lube.
 

Zvedza

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No, this pan is reusable. The ZF8 pan might be what you're thinking of, which has the filter built into the pan and must be replaced to change the filter.

You also don't necessarily have to replace the filter. Personally, I feel the filter is good for about 60K, but before then you should do at least a couple of drains and fills, which don't require removing the pan. The fluid can be vacuumed out through the fill port and replaced pretty easily. Any competent DIY'er or shop can accomplish this.

Rockauto carries Mercon ULV for about $7 a quart shipped. Valvoline ULV can be had for about $9/qt shipped.

There's also no need to have the thing scorching hot to check. You can check it cold, as long as it is at the bottom of the acceptable level when cold, it will be spot on when it warms up.

Video bookmarked to the spot he discusses checking the fluid.

yeah after ponying up what op paid for (last time i had this done it was $280 which was worth it imo), doin this myself after watching this. Luckily the raptor is easier than the vid, no cooler lines to remove nor lifting up the damn assembly.
 

Mr Adventures

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Just did the transmission fluid, transmission filter, front diff, transfer case, and engine oil yesterday. First time doing all of them myself and it took 4 hours total.

12qts Transmission fluid and filter cost $127 total from Rock Auto. I pumped majority of the fluid out through the dipstick hole before dropping the pan, made life sooo much easier. Rest was pretty easy.

My rangers transmission fluid was over filled by almost a full quart from the factory. Ran it like that for the last 82k miles. Definitely shifts smoother now. Transmission fluid and transfer case fluid were both pitch black. Should have done them before 50k.
 
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Wytchdctr

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I think this is something I'm gonna do on my own. Really hoping the dipstick stuff is ready by the time I want to do it and may throw on the pan since I'm saving money anyway. (Wife might buy that when she notices the box show up....)
 

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For those of you that don't want to drop the pan and do the filter, there is still something to be gained by vacuuming out the fluid through the fill port and refilling. This is better than nothing and in my opinion, should be done at least once around the 30k mark (Bare Minimum) with a follow on replacement of the filter at 60k (and the new fluid which will be part of swapping the filter).
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