Hello all and thanks in advance for anyone’s feedback and knowledge.
2007 reg cab F350 SD, 5.4l, AT transmission, 107k miles. It’s a truck I acquired for next to nothing and am rehabbing.It was my employers so I’ve seen the use/abuse it experienced, but also know it was regularly serviced.
I’m in the process of replacing the engine and am doing some pm to the transmission at the same time.
I’ve pulled the radiator, external trans filter, and trans cooler and drained fluid from all.
Dropped pan and and pulled the screen pickup.
The fluid looks/smells fine, no great amount of fines/sediment in the pan, will replace fluid regardless with correct spec.
So some questions:
1- once engine is out I’m to pull the TC and pour out all its fluid
a) should I refill it before putting it back in, or let the trans pump refill when engine is started?

2- solenoids and other stuff accessible with pan down and TC out
a) any value in preemptively replacing or remove/inspect/clean any of them?

3- trans pan, I’ve read about the ‘08 and newer having a deeper pan and an actual filter rather than a pickup screen.
a) is that an update worth doing?
b) if yes does the trans dipstick and tube need replacing as well?
c) if yes should one remove the external bypass filter head and install a standard in/out filter head with a spin on element?

4- trans cooler in the rad, I’d just as soon bypass it and go straight to the external cooler.
a) If I did should the external cooler be upsized or is this a bad idea?

5- shift improver kit, (Transgo at Rock Auto is one example), says trans has to be removed for install. Can it be installed with engine out and front of trans exposed? More importantly will it appreciably improve lifespan or durability of the trans?

Would also welcome any other other observations or recommendations for the AT in this SD.

Thanks one and all for your feedback.

 

It isn't a screen, it is a filter.
The pump will fill it, you do not need to add fluid to the converter.

I don't think so.
It is a much better filter, but the old one is a filter, too.
Yes, I think it is a good upgrade.
The dipstick is the same for both pans, no need to change.
I don't see any need to change anything with the external filter.
It isn't a bad idea, it is a really, really bad idea.

The radiator cooler does much more cooling than the external cooler. If you work the truck hard you can't afford to lose that much cooling.

 

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and the concise reply, much appreciated.