No problem.

I actually have a stash of Fram oil filters (made by Racor) that I got at pepboys when there was the misprint in their flyer. Paid something like $4 each for them if I remember. The fuel filters I get from my local International dealer for the same as the dieselfiltersite price and no shipping costs.

Looks like I'll learn the hard way on the tranny filters. I've tried to learn one new job/repair to do myself every few months or so. Up to now the tranny was something I've left to a shop. So far it's got 210,000 miles and no problems ... other than this leak I noticed at the filter body.

I also bought a new tranny pan gasket & figured on doing the hole job ... but it's about 20F here today and I don't have a garage. By the time I got my tools out I was ready to go back inside. (What's the smiley face for freezing my a$$ off!!)

One benefit is I don't need a creeper to work under the truck. I can slide around on an old sunchair cushion on the ice real easy.

 

I use a 1/2 inch impact set at the lowest torque setting. All it takes is a couple hits to break it loose and then I spin it off by hand. Works like a charm.

 

I think you are doing unnecessary work especially with your 20 degree temps Why are you dropping the pan? There is no filter under the pan just a screen. The proper way to change you fluid is at a dealer with a hot flush machine. I do mine the same way ljutic ss said he does his. I just remove the trans pan PLUG drain the fluid about 8 qts. and change the external filter. I do mine about every 3rd oil change (But I also have a low mileage truck 03 with 48K) Make sure you use Mercon SP or Merco LV fluid only. Just my .02

 

I had to really put some muscle on that external filter cap. It was very difficult. Before I put it back on I put a good amount of grease on the threads so it will not be as challenging the next time I change the fluid.

This is what I did when I changed my trans fluid.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...-7-quarts.html

 

So here's where it ends ..

Nothing I owned or could borrow would move this thing,

I stopped by a local Ford dealership today on my ride home and they gladly took 5 mins to move the filter for me with an impact wrench.
Thanks to Best Ford, Nashua NH!

When I got home I found the filter in there was not the toilet roll type.

But now it's done & I'll be doing the tranny filter/fluid changes myself from now on.

 

You know the old saying...Want it done right do it yourself...Unless you have a good tech that you can depend on..

 

yes!!!

 

How often does Ford recommend the external and internal filter to be changed. I just changed the external and added 10 quarts. Just full enough when hot.

 

The internal filter never needs changed unless you have a catastrophic transmission failure. IIRC the external filter is every 30K. If you want to, you can convert the older style pan to an 08 and up pan with a real internal filter that has a 60K change interval for about $125.

 

Thanks parts man I was wondering about the interval, I've got the 08 pan and filter for the switch but I'm not sure what's in there now SP or LV , can they be mixed ? and how much fluid will I need for the swap, thanks for any comebacks

 

Yes, LV and SP can be mixed and you'll need about 10 qts. for the swap. Personally, I'd start by dropping what's in the pan, replace with fresh, drive it for a couple hundred miles, and then change to the new pan and filter. It's a half-assed flush/change, but it nets you more fresh fluid in the long run.

 

perfect, just drained the pan and changed the ext. filter 2500 miles ago, was going to wait, but getting ready to hook up the trailer and go for a drive, thanks much for the info.