I want to properly maintain my 02 F150 Lariat 4x4. It has 93K miles. What are the various opinions on in-line tranny filters such as the Magnefine (http://www.magnefine.com/)? Thanks.

 

Somewhere in past threads here I posted a kit that adds a spin on type filter to your transmission. It uses a conventional oil filter and is very easy to install and very easy change the filter. This filter is on my wish list of things to install on my truck. You can even install a meter on it that tells you when it is time to change the filter. as I recall the whole kit cost less the 150 dollars.

What is kind of interesting Subaru's have a spin on type filter on their automatic transmissions.

Found it : http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PR...7/?image=large

and it is less the 90 dollars. This one has a transmission temp' gauge which is much more important then a pressure guage.

 

Oh and another thing, you can also use this kit to filter the fluid in your power steering system. You install it on the low pressure side. I have been told by doing this you add many, many years to the life of the pump, and steering gear. While you are at it you can install a cooler in the system. This is a good idea when you are running mondo big tires, a cool power steering pump is a happy power steering pump. The base kit, minus the temperature gauge, that would do this costs just under 40 dollars which given the cost of the parts in the steering system is money in the bank. Even if you don't install the filter the cooler just by it self is money in the bank.

here is a power steer cooler, this one costs just under $28 dollars
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/DE...0/?image=large

 

Thanks for the tips and the links. They both sound like money and time well spent.

 

I think the 04 up has a steering cooler

 

Power steering coolers where standard equipment on Full sized GM cars of the mid to late 60's Cadillac, Old's 98, Buick Electra's. This cooler was a small one about the size of an 8 track tape. If you look at construction machinery lots of them incorporate a filter into their hydraulic systems.

 

Both my 83 and my 93 have steering coolers on them, all they are is a tube bent around the center crossmember under the engine.

 

The cooler in the mid to late 60's cars I mentioned where mounted on the inside of the engine compartment on the right side as you faced it almost on the top of the wheel well. It didn't seem like the best location but it seemed to work.