The automatic trans in my 97 f350 is acting up. The truck is not worth paying for a rebuild so trying to find any other option. It slips once warm, no particular gear. Today with about 3k lbs of trailer behind it, the truck stopped in its tracks. Removed the trailer and drove the truck home.
The dipstick is missing and I cannot locate the correct one at a local yard but am trying.
After I verify fluid level would you guys recommend a fluid and filter change or would I be wasting my time?
Just wanting more thoughts on this. Thanks

 

if it stopped in its tracks its probably too late, personally I wouldn't even drive an automatic without knowing the fluid level is ok.


you could stick a van dipstick tube into it if you take the stick also, yeah its going to look funny but it will get your level where it should be and might be able to find an old rotten cube van with a powerstroke in it at a wrecking yard.


might be worth a fluid/filter change, its a shot in the dark if its already stopped moving.


good luck.

 

Yea I found a 95 f150 dipstick but after research on here its 6" too short. On cold start for many miles it shifts fine so I'm clinging to hope... Lol

 

How did you loose a dipstick? Run a piece of fish tape down the tube to at least see if there is any fluid in it. At the same time you'll be able to see and smell the fluid. Black and burnt is not a good thing a filter and new oil won't help either.

 

When I bought the truck a month ago the seller was checking the fluids in a hurry and is thinking the stick fell out in the road during his test drive. He said it had fluid but was a little low so if he is correct fluid level should be fairly accurate because it doesn't have a visible leak.

 

I cannot find a 7.3 truck dipstick at any of the local yards so I got a super long one off a ford van. Could any of you tell me exactly how long your trans stick is on a Powerstroke automatic old body style truck?
I took one off a 95 351 f250 and it was short like all the f150 ones.