Hi. I touched on this subject about a week ago. I'm looking for a good auto trans pan for my truck (4R70W) with a drain plug. When I was doing my googling, I found that most aftermarket pans are deep units that will increase my trans fluid capacity (a good thing) but I still have some questions...

1. Drain plug kit - One of the senior members was nice enough to tell me that I don't need a new pan, that a drain plug kit is available from Napa (and some other parts stores) for a very low price. This is the option I'm leaning towards right now. Does anybody actually HAVE one of these aftermarket kits installed, and if you do, have you had any problems with leaks or seepage? No disrespect to the F-150 Jedi masters, but I've never come across a $10 solution to an automotive hurdle that didn't cause headaches down the road.

2. Dipstick readings - IF I end up installing an aftermarket deep pan thereby increasing the total fluid capacity of my transmission, will my factory dipstick still read correctly? I could be wrong, but I seem to recall some of the more expensive aftermarket deep pans coming with a new dipstick and/or dipstick tube. I don't want to go that route if I have to install a new tube or if the factory dipstick will read incorrectly.

3. Fluid / cooler - Is there ANY benefit to using a synthetic transmission fluid or installing an aftermarket trans cooler if I'm not doing any towing or carrying insanely heavy loads in the bed? I've read over and over that heat is the worst enemy of a transmission, but if 99% of the time I'm just using my truck to drive to work and back, is heat really a problem?

Much thanks - John

 

part 1: Yes. part 2: No. Leaks will only be determined by the hole YOU drill in YOUR pan. I have read where other members here have used the kit. I bought 3 recently. Neighbor installed his already and no problems. $7.99 well worth it! Will be installing mine this weekend, and brother will do his after he finishes moving.

It should.

Yes. Synthetic still runs cooler than dino, and does NOT break down like dino, regardless of normal or severe use.

Heat itself is not a problem. Excessive heat is. If you plan on going through the drain plug installation, for ease of fluid changes, don't bother with synthetic if you plan on doing regular changes. Part of the reason to use a synthetic is so that you don't have to do the frequent changes.

Based on your description of driving habits, you could either go with synthetic, forget the drain plug/deeper pan, change less often. OR, get a drain plug/deeper pan, use dino, and change more frequently.


One of my other many neighbors that drives a Ford was changing his tranny fluid last weekend. I stopped by to chat. He only has 28K on his new truck, no towing, yet the fluid was mostly pink but could be described as "getting brownish" already.

Each and every truck and driver and all of the other variables will dictate how often you need new fluid. That's why I go with the synthetic stuff. If I happen to miss a fluid change, I'm not too worried.

 

There are no disadvantages whatsoever using synthetic except cost, no matter how often you change it or how much you tow or carry big loads. It's just a superior fluid.

 

I had one of those plugs in my stock pan and HATED it. It leaked. Not much mind you, but a leak nonetheless.

I switched to a mag-hytec pan and am very happy with it. No leaks, holds additional fluid, and cooler trans temps of ~10-20 degrees depending on a variety of factors.

Expensive? Yes, but well worth it to me.

On a side note, our trans require Mercon V - I thought that was a synthetic fluid regardless of the manufacturer?

 

I work on a ton of these and I can safely say that most of the ones that come in with those drain plug kits install have some kind of leak from them.

Darrin

 

Also, I forgot to mention that the plug insert sits up about 1/4" from the bottom of the pan so when you change the fluid you leave 1/4" of fluid in the pan. Granted that's not a lot, maybe 3/4 to a quart, but enough for me not to like it.

 

I'll have to disagree on what is left in the pan. 1/4" of fluid is not almost a quart. Maybe a 1/3 at best. But, the whole purpose of the drain plug is to change some fluid more often anyway. So, instead of changing 5.5 quarts on a drain and fill, you're probably changing about 4.75 quarts.

Seems to me that if you add some lock-tite or RV gasket when installing the plug, there shouldn't be any issues.

There is always the option of regular flushes, and changing the filter only now and then.

 

It occurs to me that you haven't actually seen one of these plug kits.

That nylon washer setup prevents the proper use of sealants and it just won't work at all if you choose not to use the washers.

Darrin

 

You're right, well, partly, I have not had the chance to get to mine yet, but my friend did. I saw the finished job, didn't ask questions but it worked. After reading the posts about leaks, I called him and asked about it. None yet, so I guess he's lucky.

So, I have mine at home. I'll take a close look at it tonight or tomorrow. Thanks for the heads up.

 

You may be right - 3/4 to a quart was a guestimation. I would sugges though that since you are only draining the pan:

1. Change your fluid WAY more frequently - almost like an oil change
2. Change WARM fluid - If you change it cold that last 1/4" of fluid is going to contain the crap that settles out of the fluid.
3. Don't waste your $$$ on synthetic. Frequent changes would negate the benefit of extended change intervals

Just my $.02

 

for the most part i agree with fire604 and either change the standard fluid more regularly, or go with synthetic, a local guy here that works on trucks only and has been around the block a time or two recommends every 15,000 miles and if you're towing a lot even more often, or if you use synthetic every 20,000-25,000 but synthetic without a doubt does keep the temp lower and increases the viscosity so that would be my choice, my 06 has 10,000 miles now and i'm switching to synthetic even though i only tow 6-7 times a year, it's worth it to me.

 

So just get the Valvoline full synthetic Mercon V and cover all the bases.

Darrin

 

I agree, but if the intent is to drain strictly the fluid in the pan than that would get a bit costly since he will be changing it more often.

 

A bit costly to the tune of about 40 cents more per quart. So maybe $5 per change. I sure the heck wouldn't do it, but some people have to have a "better" fluid. I use either Motorcraft or Castrol Mercon V in my vehicles.

Honestly, I don't see why some people want to worry about these supposedly "superior" fluids anyway. I work on these transmissions for a living and the ones in the best shape have been regularly serviced with plain old Mercon V. I had one that had 250,000 miles and looked nearly new when it was taken apart. The fluid and filter was changed every 12,000 miles at the local Ford dealer according to the records.

Also for the record, every single transmission that I have seen with that Royal Purple stuff in it has had destroyed intermediate and direct clutches. The friction material used for those clutches doesn't like it apparently.

Other than that, I don't think a full synthetic will either probably hurt or really help much. Just change the dang fluid regularly no matter what you use.

RP fluid excluded of course. Just don't use that one at all in these transmissions.

Darrin