I was told that there is a test port on the side of the tranny that you can put the sending unit in. Is it 1/8" NTP?? Is it on the drivers side, just above the pan just in front of the shift linkange?? I would like the ScanGauge II, but for now, the gauge is cheaper.
Any help and suggestions would be great!
Thanks

 

Yes, it is a 1/8 NPT port and it is in the spot you describe (see pic below). I just installed an Auto Meter Phantom trans temp gauge in my '04 and used this port. Be sure to use teflon tape and be careful as some others have reported leaks in using this port. A small amount of fluid will come out when you remove the factory plug (the plug on mine was green). So far no leaks for me.

See all my gauge install pics here: 2004 F250 Quad Gauge Install

 

Here's mine in a 4R100;
No tape on mine as the sensor needs to ground to the case through the body of the sensor. No leaks however.
Autometer sensor that came with Z-series gauge.


Autometer Z-series Transmission temp, Vacuum gauges in pod with Equus tach.
Mounted in my '01 E-350

 

Yeah mine needs a ground to the case too but it gets it no problem, even through the tape as it doesn't totally insulate the sender from the case.

 

The thread is 1/8" NPT dryseal thread. That means it is designed to seal with no sealant or tape. Notice that the plug that came from the factory didn't have tape or sealant.

 

That's interesting... I was just going with the "better safe than sorry" approach because I've read a bunch of horror stories about senders leaking from this port. I even considered using one of those sender manifold blocks that mount inline with a trans cooler line. I didn't do this because I installed my gauges in January and I didn't wanna risk crippling my truck (by messing up a trans cooler line) in the winter.

I was considering changing it when the weather warms up. Its good to hear non-horror stories about this though. Maybe I'll leave my sender where its at.

 

Thanks for all the help....i ordered a gauge last night!

 

Glad to have been some help.