I have a 06 f150 4.2 2 wheel dive that i have recently rebuit the 4r70w aode and now have a major leak of fluid at the junction box where the cooling lines meet between the tranny and the rad. Probably due to me cross threading and using brute force while in a rush to be mobile again,my first question is can that aluminum box be eliminated by joinin the lines with rubber hose and clamps or do i have to go back to wok clubbing seals to pay for new parts? Thans from Mission BC

 

That aluminum box is the transmission thermostat. I would 100% not take that out as this little block brings the transmission up to temperature during the winter. Automatics like to be in a certain operating temperature range. I went to Ford to get mine and it was not cheap, but it did include new lines up to the radiator and my aux transmission cooler. You might find one at a junk yard or online somewhere but there is no telling what the condition of it will be. It's a pretty important part if you ask me and it was not the easiest to put in. I've never had such a hard time threading a nut in.....