Cost to do trans filter service?

[Grrumpy]

Comming from the Ford Ranger 5G Forums, a member for 4 years....
The Ranger has the same tranny as the Expy, and there are numerous posts about changing the fluid.
First, stay away from the Doorman....it leaks. The PPE uses the same gasket as the OE and you can reuse it if not old. The Mish pan has a small "O" ring type gasket, so you do not need a pan gasket.
There is an easy way to remove and replace just the fluid which many have used on the Ranger forum. Get a few empty clear gallon jugs or a low pail. and mark it at one quart levels. Buy an inexpensive 12 volt fluid pumps, around $14 bucks on Amazon. Remove the Ford sorry excuse for a trans dipstick, and using the pump/instructions, insert one of the hoses into the trans and start pumping fluid out. You should be able to get 6-7 quarts out. Then simply pump in the same amount of new fluid back into the tranny.
Dosen't matter if the truck is level or front is on ramps.....your simply removing old fluid and replacing with the exact amount of new fluid.
If you do this over a period of several months, your basically replacing old with new fluid.
If you want a filter swap then obviously the pan needs to be dropped.
Luckily, a Ranger member invented and started a business making a complete transmission dipstick that works just like the old types, with complete access from the engine compartment.
He is in the process of designing and making one for the F-150 series, and it just may fir the Expedition.
Visit Mikes Build Shop to see the Ranger set-up.

 

[GlennSullivan]

I’ve mentioned this and they kinda laugh about it. One ****** even tried to sell me a zinc oil additive, you know, the stuff they took out of the oil to save the cats. Yeah, you can keep that shit buddy.

I do think with the towing and overheated condition it ran in for 30k miles is reason enough to change early. I typically have always done 50-60k and never had trans issues. I also have suspected before mine is one of the quart low from factory ones.

Dealerships are independently owned and operated companies. Some run their businesses straight up and honestly, while others not so much. Also, most service writers work on commission and like every other commissioned position, there are those that treat customers honestly and those that don't. On a slow month, some might seek to "run up the bill".

It is not a bad idea to review what is recommended at your present mileage when taking your vehicle in for anything, that way you have an idea what is being legitimately recommended.

I still do most of my own maintenance on our vehicles and something that has been more concerning to me with so many failures and warranty issues is I don't want to do something that is not recommended, like trans service and then if the trans fails, Ford attempts to blame my service for the failure and refuses cover it under ESP Plan.

 

[Left Coast Geek]

Dorman makes an aftermarket pan with a drain plug.

Dorman transmission oil pan w/plug

I wouldn't use a Dorman headlight switch, never mind any sort of Transmission part. Reboxed Chinese junk. open 3 different boxes of the 'same' part, and find 3 different parts.