I've been told that only the 2006 uses an external filter, discontinued at 2007. Anyone know why? Thanks.

 

No, that's not right.

The 5R110W (TorqShift) transmission was introduced in 2003. It had an external filter. Mid year 2008 the external filter was dropped and the internal filter was improved. The new internal filter is a better filter than the external filter was, and it filters 100% of the fluid. The external filtered either 10% or 1%, depending on whether the internal transmission thermostat was opened or closed.

You can retrofit the new internal filter to an older TorqShift, but you have to change the pan to match the new filter.

 

Mark, I have that tranny on my 06 F-53. I changed the filter, I went with this filter: http://www.filtranllc.com/home/docum...rap-030508.pdf

I thought I had read that the Ford filter was junk and it could easily clog up and block fluid flow to the cooler.

Your thoughts?

 

Not at all true. Even if the filter did get completely blocked, and I don't think that is at all likely, the filter only sees 10% of the flow. It can't block the flow to the cooler.

 

Wow. I'm guessing that the internal filter on the 06 isn't "that" bad, perhaps just better to improve to get rid of inconvenient external. I just couldn't see messing with a new pan just to get a different internal filter when I already have an easy-to-change external filter.