Hi,
I have a 97 F-150 I just bought. It has 164,000 miles and the transmission fluid is dark. I would assume a service has never been done,
like a filter change for sure.

I want to get that old fluid out of there, I have seen a few ways to get most all of the fluid out. (not flushing)

But I see some people think this could cause problems, like loosening deposits and such.

My main question I guess is "what would you do?"

 

Take it to a real tranny shop. They can do just a fluid exchange. I would also recommend using some type of high mileage fluid.

 

and change the filter out of course.

 

Thank you for the quick reply!

Heres the deal, I have always done my own work to my vehicles and have
a well equipped shop to do it in.

The best technique I seen was somewhere on this forum someone explained how they took the return line to the tranny off and clamped
a hose on to it, ran out about 3 quarts and shut it off, pulled the pan that was now almost empty, and changed the filter and replaced the pan. Next he put the same amount of fluid he ran out back in, ran out about 3 more quarts, shut it down, topped it off and repeated the process untill the fluid came out clean. (also ran through the gears a couple of times)

Now this sounds easy enough, and I have replaced tranny filters before.
But is this a good idea on my truck, again 164,000 miles and dark fluid?
and probably no service ever done.