I have a 2001 F150 4x2 that does a lot of towing. Transmission runs fine, no slipping of squeaking, but I am due for a fluid change. Are any special tools required? Do I need to flush the whole trans, or just drain the pan and change filter? Any tips will be helpful!

 

Here's how to do it:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...nsmission.html

Just draining the pan gets less than half of the fluid out.

 

I would not flush a transmission with a machine. I have seen to many fail after a flush because of some particles being moved into places they were not before.

You dont need any special tools, just a big drain pan and a long funnel that fits into the trans filler tube. Not knowing which trans you have I will be generic. Look at the bellhousing for an inspection rubber plug. remove it and using a pry bar carefully rotate the torque converter around to see if it has a small 11 mm drain plug in it(some do not, Thanks to some idiot at Ford saving money). If it does remove it and let the converter drain fully. While this is going on, you can start removing the pan 10 mm bolts leaving one snug, preferably one bolt away from a corner bolt, until you are ready to lower the pan. The pan gasket is reusable so dont damage or bend it, just clean it off and set aside. Using a Ford trans filter(I suggest this as I have seen many aftermarket ones drop and cause trouble), put some petroleum jelly on the rubber seal of the filter and install it until it is flush with the valve body. Inspect the trans pan and magnet for any metal particles, if none are found (do not be alarmed if there is a good amount of grey sludge around the magnet this is just from the converter and will be normal within reason), clean the pan and magnet remembering to install the magnet back into the pan. Reinstall the pan gasket and pan, hand install all the pan bolts then torque the bolts to 12-15 N-m/9-11 lb-ft in an alternating pattern. Install the torque converter drain plug, if equiped, to 10 N-m/89 lb-in and then the rubber check cover.


If you have the 4R70W trans it will take 13.2 liters/13.9 quarts of Mercon V automatic transmission fluid.

If you have the 4R100 trans it will take in a 4X2 16.1 liters/17.1 quarts and in a 4X4 16.7 liters/17.7 quarts of Mercon ATF (not mercon V) automatic transmission fluid.

In both cases add 8 quarts slowly into the filler tube. Start the engine not changing the gears. Add four more quarts slowly and between these quarts go and select each gear for about 3-6 seconds each returning back to park and go on to the next quart. Then before you add the last two quarts, run the vehicle through each gear and start checking the fluid level making sure the vehicle is at operating temperature. Do not over fill the trans beyond the low and high area of the dipstick. Ideally you want the trans fluid level to be right at the upper fill mark when the vehicle is at operating temperature and you have ran the transmission through all the gears as suggested.

 

...Welcome to Ford Truck Enthusiasts! Please read the Guidelines, it will help you to navigate through and understand this site.

We are happy you have chosen the best source for Fords!

Enjoy FTE....and
JOIN CLUB FTE -SUPPORT THE FORUMS!
…..See you on the boards.