meb

Great advice GraveDigger85. Stay away from flushes unless you really to need a complete flush, but with that said you can drain the torque converter on that truck as well and get the best of both worlds (the majority of fluid replaced). There is a drain plug on the converter. Now this tends to start some controversy....the replace all fluid versus leave some of the old fluid in...but in Jenbooks case I thought the drop the pan/filter change was the best advice (but I'm still thinking the converter drain isn't a bad idea). And to you all out there attempting this, pay attention to how the pan comes off (mark it). So when you go to put it back you don't knock the filter off playing with alignment because there is no retaining clip.

Flareside302

Even the sealed transmissions require service.

sideoiler

It would be good to know what the history behind a used truck is so you could know what state of condition it is in. I go by looks and smell, and if I have any doubt I'll drop the pan.


Here is some information to read that might help guide you. Different models at bottom of page.


http://www.f150hub.com/trans/6R-80.html

jenbooks

Thanks--back again. Had my oil changed today by a full service shop (mechanics there, too) and asked him to check my transmission fluid. He showed it to me on a little card with dots, compared to fresh. Fresh was the prettiest pink. But anyway mine was reddish but he said it wasn't bad. He said I could do either option, the drop pan/filter change/6-7 quarts or the total flush, in their shop they don't push, they take out 2 put in 1 take out 1 put in 1 etc etc. However since he felt it was not in any way urgent, I think I'm going to wait until I'm back up in Elberton (it's totally effing freezing in GA right now and we won't be back up in NE GA until March most likely) and go to the Ex Ford mechanic who is now moonlighting. I will do the drop pan/filter change...
In addition, my high beams aren't working! I rarely drive at night so didn't know. So I'll need that guy to fix them. I'm sure he knows all about fuses, switches etc.
If this sounds good to everybody, that's my plan. Everything else, the guy today said, is good (belts and so on) and I had already changed my engine filter this summer so it was clean.

sideoiler

Good deal on drop pan filter change, and once pan is dropped he should be able to tell if any issues, like a lot of residue in bottom of pan that would require a flush job.

jenbooks

I will look up Lucas. I just had a mechanic show me my fluid versus brand new. Brand new was spanking pink. Mine is sort of reddish? He says it's not bad at all, doesn't have a lot of junk. However I Have to assume that it wasn't flushed every 30k by previous ownder when I got it at 82K. It's now 30K miles later so I want to service it one way or the other.

jenbooks

Who else puts Lucas in just curious? Thx guys

iFord

jenb, I sure wish I knew the definitive answer to your question! I'm in same situation as you, even in same state (GA!). I have '02 bought in Thomson at 47,000 miles, one owner bought at dealership, well maintained, but I'm not sure about transmission fluid changes either. Dealer retired and closed his small dealership, so can't find out from him. Here's my transmission history:

1. '93 Dakota V6, flushed transmission at about 110,000 miles, no problems. Still driving it.
2. '83 Oldsmobile, leaking seal blew transmission stranded me wife.
3. '95 Chrysler, transmission blew, stranded me wife.
4. '95 Chevy 1500 truck, flushed transmission with BG stuff, stranded us in Florida, rebuilt it, traded it on my current '02 F150.

So, I'm VERY transmission aware!! Plain scared of'em! Fluid on my F150 is very clean looking, but I'm still wanting to get it drained, new filter, and flushed!

I'm in Augusta and we have an excellent transmission shop here. I'll probably take mine there and have them do it. I have 94,000 miles on it now. At least it's paid for... Cain't stand the thought of another transmission stranding me though!! Let's hang in there. Let us know what you do.

jenbooks

OMG that IS scary. My hubby's last car same thing--transmission failed seemingly overnight. And the shop that rebuilt it (we were in NY), apparently went in and out of the car in their solvent soaked clothes without plastic on the seats, and the whole car reeked for many months. I would only get in it with the windows wide open.

That's why I'm thinking I'd be best off being conservative. If I drop the pan, change the filter, add 7 quarts--not sure about this Lucas stuff? hope somebody else weighs in--I won't loosen theoretical gunk that may or may not be in there. Then I could drop the pain, drain 7 quarts, and add the same again in six months. It's a little more expensive, but gentle. I'm terrified of the outlier possibility that a total change will mess up my baby.

jenbooks

BTW, it's a lot of fun owning a supercrew texas edition in GA. My truck gets ogled, and guys seem a little miffed sometimes I even own it. LOL. And then people ask me what is this texas edition business? And people pull over asking me if it's for sale. I have no clue why, it's a 2005, I mean, it looks nice but it's got a few dings made by yours truly in parking lots or made by strangers in parking lots with careless doors (I now park as far away from everybody else as possible--I still get scared backing out of a crowded parking lot where I'm flanked by vehicles on all sides)