Alpha III Concepts - MBS FitzStick Transmission Dipstick Face-Off

[Friday yet?]

Thanks you guys?

I never thought about a review section, I can’t even figure out how add a second page, I’m lame with the whole website thing.

Ok, we've got many IT type folks here in our forum. Jump in and help our buddy Mike out with this website!

I would but.... trust me, that would not go well. Not my skillset to put it mildly.

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[seanellaz]

My first thread!

Back in April/May - after reading about the issues with the 10R80 fluid levels (and prior experience with the 6R80 lead frame fail on my 2012 F-150) I decided I needed to install a dipstick like we used to have. And be done with the abomination that Ford gave us in the 6R80 and 10R80 (and I'm sure other transmissions) with the nub dipstick that sits right next to the catalytic converter (no chance that wasn't done on purpose, right?).

Anyway, I had been reading all the stuff here on the forum about the FitzStick prototypes. By the time I got to the end of the threads it seemed @Fitzmotor wasn't going to make anymore. Bummer, but needs must. So forge on.

I saw someone reference the Alpha III Concepts (A3C) kit and it seemed like it looked pretty good. So I ordered it paying the going price at the time ($119).

First impression was that it would meet my needs. I was a little disappointed in the design of the dipstick: too flimsy (wanted to get this written, so I'll add some more photos later). But after going through the complete install my disappointment with the dipstick increased. It seems to be too short; meaning I'm not sure they got the dipstick length correct (mid-stick on the Ford OEM stick (35) is at the low end (25) on the A3C stick so not sure I can get a correct reading).

The instructions are fairly straight-forward, but the quality of the pix was awful; meaning, it was hard to see what I was supposed to see (I don't think it's old age and bad eyes). And there doesn't appear to be any post-purchase support.

In the end, it worked. -ish.

About a week after installing the A3C kit FitzMotor posted that he was spinning up production again. Having seen some of his pix I jumped to it and today it showed up. Already installed.

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. Bottom line, the FitzStick won every one of the criteria I weighed, but one. Not even close. From boxing up to instructions to professional end result, the FitzStick is the hands-down winner. Hardware, dipstick itself (materials and markings)..., it's was pretty close to a shut-out win for the FitzStick.

Okay, now to the only thing I thought the A3C kit has over the MBS kit. The A3C kit has the installer move the "T-wire" back to the unused bracket that the FitzStick mount uses. The A3C mount then is mounted on the silver (now empty) bracket and the other wire that plugged into the front of the silver bracket is plugged into the third hole on the A3C mount. See photo. Honestly, I liked the A3C location more than the MBS location (both for installation and fluid checking post-installation).

I told FitzMotor about this and his response was excellent:


So, in the end, the MBS kit wins again. Not a near shut-out, a complete shut-out.

Bottom line, the MBS FitzStick kit is so good it's literally an OEM-quality accessory. The A3C kit can't hold a fire to the MBS kit in any aspect. Glad to see FitzMotor getting it patented. And at $179, I think it's a steal; MBS could sell it for $229 and it would be more than worth it.

In a 5-star rating scheme, 6 stars. YMMV, but if it does, you're flat out wrong (unless you're giving him more than 6 stars).

Cheers.

42K miles on my 2020 Fx4. I in stalled the MBS Stick. Not too challenging. Actually paying attention to the fill instructions? Apparently more of a challenge. I filled it to the " 1 " mark. The tranny was shifting oddly under full throttle. I re-read the instructions. AACK!!. Fortunately I had installed the PPE Power 328053620 Deep Trans Pan, so draining about 1/2 gallon of fluid was not the PITA it would be with the silly plastic "No drain plug" stock Ford pan. Now shifts dreamy. The pre pan / dipstick install, hitchy shift from 3-4 gone.

 

[Msfitoy]

42K miles on my 2020 Fx4. I in stalled the MBS Stick. Not too challenging. Actually paying attention to the fill instructions? Apparently more of a challenge. I filled it to the " 1 " mark. The tranny was shifting oddly under full throttle. I re-read the instructions. AACK!!. Fortunately I had installed the PPE Power 328053620 Deep Trans Pan, so draining about 1/2 gallon of fluid was not the PITA it would be with the silly plastic "No drain plug" stock Ford pan. Now shifts dreamy. The pre pan / dipstick install, hitchy shift from 3-4 gone.

1/2 GALLON?!?!? Like said...bomb proof...

 

[Dereku]

1/2 GALLON?!?!? Like said...bomb proof...

What the transmission is bomb proof? I guess if you consider lady fingers a bomb. Sure I agree with you.

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