Searched and Searched and Searched and I am still confused. I have a 2000 Ranger 4x2 Flex Fuel truck. I want to change my AT fluid through the dip stick and replace it with Mobil 1 syn fluid. Has anyone done this before? and with there own Ranger. My Ranger manual says it hold 9.5qts how much should I expect to get out of the pan through the dipstick? Is it worth it?
Trans Fluid Through Dipstick
- Thread starter Timothy Ferguson
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You are wanting to get it out through the dipstick tube, as in using a suction hose to pull out all the fluid from the pan?
That would probably get out about 4 quarts of fluid. The 9.5 quarts that your manual states is when you flush out the torque converter, cooler, and lines. I'd recommend having 5 quarts on hand should it be more than 4.
That would probably get out about 4 quarts of fluid. The 9.5 quarts that your manual states is when you flush out the torque converter, cooler, and lines. I'd recommend having 5 quarts on hand should it be more than 4.
I tried this with my friends '01 Ranger. We managed to get around 3 quarts out with my liquid-vac (even jacked up the rear end a bit). I can get close to 7 out of my Taurus and Windstar (different trans design). I do this yearly on my vehicles.
But having so much left in the converter and in the lines is it worth it or maybe just as easy as finding a person with a exchanger machine to do it with your own fluid. Thats hard many garages want to use there own exclusive fluids. What worries me is that I had the fluid flushed two years ago and they used Dexron III with a Mercron V additive in it to make it Mercron V. Don't know how much I like that and how long it would last you know.
Timothy, you probably have the 5R55E transmission, (same as me). I use a Griots Garage suction tool to change mine every summer. I get about 3 1/2 qts out.
It's definitely worth it. With every suction/add cycle, the percentage of new fluid increases. It's a clean and easy way to change ATF.
The 4r44E/4R55E/5R55E are all revisions of the A4LD and use similar pans from the factory. 4x4 (my 01 4x4 5r55e & 96 4x4 4r44e) typically hold about 4-4.5 qts in the pan. A 4x2 hold slightly less. If you drain the pan and let it sit overnight, preferably with the front jacked up slightly, the converter will drain back about 2 qts +/-. I'd drop the pan and put a drain plug in (I tig'd both mine in) and chain what's in the pan once a year (depending on use). With this method I've had 4 of these failure prone transmissions last. Oldest one (sold now) has 209K and shifts better than factory new.
As a side note, I would highly recommend putting the TransGo or Superior reporgraming kits in, both are good kits. TransGo mostly fixes some issues that Ford now has TSBs on, but is still a worthwhile kit, IMO. I like the Superior a little better. Hey, do both if you can’t make up your mind – I did
As a side note, I would highly recommend putting the TransGo or Superior reporgraming kits in, both are good kits. TransGo mostly fixes some issues that Ford now has TSBs on, but is still a worthwhile kit, IMO. I like the Superior a little better. Hey, do both if you can’t make up your mind – I did
Kestas
Staff member
That seems rather strange. Mercon V a synthetic blend... and the main advantage of Mercon V over Dexron III/Mercon is the fact that it IS blended with synthetic.
So they took Dexron III and modified the friction characteristics to match Mercon V with none of the benefits that Mercon V provides.... how silly. How difficult is it for garages to stock the now popular Mercon V when they obviously went to the trouble of buying a fluid exchange machine?
The easy way to do this is take off the trans cooler line at the radiator.. get some 3/8"? Id tubing and a clamp about 2-2.5ft.
Run the tubing to either a 5gal bucket or an empty gallon washer fluid jug... you get the idea.
Start truck start dumping fluid into dipstick(with funnel of course) When jug gets full stop. Do this for about 10-12 qts and its a pretty good flush.
If you have a second person it makes it alot easier and if you do it in Gear not park you will get a better exchange of whats in the torque converter. If it starts getting rushed you can just turn the truck off.. top up the fluid and then restart the engine.
Run the tubing to either a 5gal bucket or an empty gallon washer fluid jug... you get the idea.
Start truck start dumping fluid into dipstick(with funnel of course) When jug gets full stop. Do this for about 10-12 qts and its a pretty good flush.
If you have a second person it makes it alot easier and if you do it in Gear not park you will get a better exchange of whats in the torque converter. If it starts getting rushed you can just turn the truck off.. top up the fluid and then restart the engine.
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