Why do some automatic trucks have one and some don't? Has anyone found a quality filter that doeesn't cost the $179.00 that ford wants?

 

Not long after the start of 2008 production Ford eliminated the external filter in favor of a real internal filter. The older internal filter was only designed to stop large chunks. The new internal filter is a better filter than the external filter was, and it filters 100% of the fluid. The external filter, best case, was less than 10%.

 

Is this new filter what comes if you buy a new one at Ford?

 

If you buy the wrong filter it wont fit. Early production Job 1's had a different internal filter along with the external filter. If you buy the filter designed for the newer models that dont have the external filter it WILL NOT work as the transmission pan is different. Amazon sells the external Motorcraft filter, Part # FT-176 with free shipping AND no tax, for 85.00. I ordered mine there and it is the EXACT same external Motorcraft filter you will buy from the parts counter. Here is the link Amazon.com: Motorcraft FT-176

 

Thanks for that infromation. I did find the Motorcraft fuel filters (the old style) on Ebay and my oil filters come from Wal Mart. The good news is while my truck was getting this work done it decided to pee on there floor. My first radiator comes at 30,000 miles

 

Thanks for the info. Good price. I ordered one.

 

I noticed with the 2011+ Super Duties, Ford has gone back to the external filter with a very non-restrictive filter inside the transmission as well (similar to the 2008 Job 1 filtering system). I recall the engineers saying something about doing it this way to avoid starving the transmission of fluid with a restrictive filter when the transmission is under severe duty, needing a higher flow rate.

 

I've never seen the 2011 trans. They were just getting the first prototype parts when I left Ford in 2007.

 

Just got back from my dealer and they gave me a break on the filter only charging me $134.00. All toll with new fluid and labor it cost me $452 and change. ouch!

 

My dealer says 215 (labor and fluids) +95 (external filter)..

Sam

 

Keep an eye on Official Ford, Lincoln & Mercury Owner Site | Personalized Owner Information | FLMowner.com. I keep my service records there and they offer coupons for serveral dollars off. Back in June they had a coupon for a transmission fluid change and filter, not flush, for $199. I had it done, I could tell some differerence. I had to laugh as my 08 is an early Job 1 and had the external tranny filter. According to the coupon it included filter change, so they had to change that also being the external filter.....The service manager was pretty good about it, he said "well we win some and then we lose some".

 

just saw a 20% off coupon on the flmowner.com site for scheduled maint (thru 8/14), so am having the tranny filter changed & fluid flush today as well as the 60,000 mile oil change.

Sam

 

There you go! 20% is a pretty good savings.