My truck started shifting rough so I thought I would change the filter and fluid in the vehicle.

Sounded easy enough!

The rear of the transmission pan is just above a frame cross support which made it a little harder to drop the pan. When I finally got the fluid to spill and the pan off a small "Top" looking plastic piece with an o-ring around it fell out and I did not see what it belongs to. Can anyone point me in the right direction so I can put the pan back together?

Also any suggestions on an easy way to get the pan back on with the new cork gasket with that cross support in the way? Perhaps some trick!

Thanks

 

The little top you found in there is a treat that the builders left for you. It's like the worm in a bottle of tequila I think you're supposed to eat it if this is your first time.

The cross-member seems to be a problem with the 4x4 models. I can't tell you how to get around that. If you look at the pan, there is a message stamped into it that tells you it comes with a re-usable gasket. This means that if it's a rubber gasket, that's the one that came with the pan and you should use it again. works just fine.

http://members.shaw.ca/pferlow/transmission_oil.htm

 

You're in luck. The "top" looking thing is a temporary plug the factory puts in during the assembly of the transmission. It can be discarded. As for the gasket, the OEM gasket is reuseable, and I believe it is stamped on the gasket. I have reused mine twice without any problems.

 

if someone has tossed the original gasket on you or your trying to figure how to keep the original from slidding around heres a tip or two....put your pan bolts up through the gasket,they will hold it long enough to start the threads....old school;take some sewing thread and tie the gasket to the pan through the bolt holes once you get the bolts started just cut the threads and pull them out

 

My dad taught me that thread trick - works real good, but your right I think it's old school, the bolts hold it in place well enough.

 

another great way to hold the gasket in place is to use a little grease. It's real sticky and will not harm anything and most of it will squeeze out when you tighten the bolts!

 

I have a code U on the door jamb which indicates I have the 4R70W, but I have Mercon stamped on my tranny dipstick. Most the postings I have read said that the 4R70W takes Mercon V.
What should I use?