sdmartin65

I've owned an auto shop going on 20 years, this is how I service the auto trans on my vehicles.

If the truck doesn't have a drain on the trans pan have a pan installed with a drain. Just drain and refill the trans about every 15k miles or so. Use Motocraft fluid, this is essential for trucks that use LV fluid, it cant be duplicated.

Always keep the fluid clean, so if not clean service at each oil change until it is. I've never had a failure with this method.

primalurges

i started using Lucas 5 miles ago. I was having shudder and hard shifting. Dealer states I need a rebuild. Been using Lucas and the shudder is gone. Shifting has significantly improved bit not 100% perfect. I was impressed with immediate results straight out of the bottle.

primalurges

5,000 miles

jenbooks

Thanks but if I don't know the history, ie I got it at 82K...I don't know about the total drain...some are saying it *could* be a problem, though not necessarily.

sdmartin65

Sorry I didn't read entire thread and wasn't real clear, I just went back thru and read it. You have an 05 which will take the Mercon V fluid. Take a look under the truck and see if the trans has a drain bolt. Some do and some don't, if no drain buy a pan with a drain bolt. Have your mechanic drop the pan change the filter, install new pan if needed. The drain bolt will be magnetic to collect shavings. From this point every few oil changes also drain the trans and refill. Should be 4 - 5 qts, 6-7 seems high. The filter is a wire screen and I would not worry about changing it after this. Dont use a flush machine, some vehicles pumps dont react well with them and it may cause problems. A trans filter is not paper media like an oil filter, on many cars the filter is internal and cant be serviced.

Not changing the fluid is way more risky than keeping it serviced. Keeping the fluid consistently clean is key to a long trans life. I buy used vehicles about same miles as you and use this service method.

iFord

Thanks sd! Now, that method makes sense! Do you have to buy a pan with drain, or can you make a drain plug in current pan?

I think I answered me own question - found a drain plug kit on Amazon for $9.00. I guess it will work on our F150s?

sdmartin65

Those kits will work but I would still see if you could find a pan with drain plug built in. That would be preferred. Im pretty sure it was an oem option. Might not cost what you think if so.

jenbooks

SD that is totally in sync with what I hoped to do, but with some added great advice. Thanks so much. Will do soon and I really appreciate it.

jenbooks

iFord, here on the forum there is a fellow who sells OEM 10% over

https://www.f150forum.com/f37/all-oe...1683/index263/

jenbooks

Hey guys, I finally dropped the pan, changed the filter and added whatever quarts were needed. I have not been able to find an oem drain pan with plug nor a mechanic to drill me a hole and cap it. So I may have to drop the pan again when I do it next. The mechanic explained to me that the issue with changing all the fluid at this point is the fresh fluid is thin and might not exert as much pressure on the seals and this could cause seal failure and transmission failure. So slow and steady is best if you don't know the history on your used truck.