2002 F150 4.6 4x4

This was in my trans pan. No other parts such as clips or springs - just this, and I cant find any logical place where it might belong. But I really dont want to button it up without putting the thing where it belongs. Any guidance available?

 

It's a prize... You are the first person to drop the pan on that truck.

It was a closure plug inserted into the trans at the transmission plant, where the dipstick tube would later go when the truck was assembled.

At the assembly plant, they stick the dipstick tube down onto the plug, which pushes it out of the way, and into the pan, where it sits for years, until someone finds it. You can keep it as a prize, or throw it.

 

Leave it in the pan, so the next owner can stress out for a while, too.

 

I feel so much better - Thanks. So only 110,000 miles on the original fluid and filter? Yikes! Im glad it still works.

 

Thats mean, but funny.

Well, it is possible they had the fluid changed without dropping the pan, but you still had the original filter (unless someone did as Tedster9 said and put it back in after a filter change).
My truck still had the bobber in it @ 167,000 miles when I changed my fluid/filter, but my cousin said he thinks he had the fluid changed once at the dealer (I am guessing they used a flush machine that does not require removal of the pan).