Ok, I have a 98 Ranger XLT. its a 2wd, 3.0, auto, standard cab, with 157,000 miles on it. My previous vehicle was a Jeep Wrangler, and I went through it and did all the fluids and that included dropping the tranny pan and changing the filter and fluid. Well only 3 months after that it started to slip and finally bit the dust. What Im really getting at here is , Is it safe for me to drop the pan and change the filter on my Ranger? The fluid isnt burnt and is still pretty red. I really cant afford to pay out the cash to have a tranny rebuilt.

I have asked a few people and they all told me if it isnt burnt then its safe to do, but a few others told me that if i put fresh fluid in it could clean any the gunk out of it and in the end cause it to take a dump.


So what do you guys think is the safe thing for me to do??????? Im really particular when it comes to maintaining my truck and it would friggin kill me to not keep up with the tranny.

 

If it's still red and doesn't smell like it's burnt, then you can't go wrong with a filter and fluid change IMHO. I wouldn't hesitate at all. Try and get out all of the old fluid (drain the pump, cooler and cooler lines)
...Terry

 

Thanks Terry, maybe bring it to work and hook it up to the fluid exchange machine??? That might be the best bet to get it all out in one shot.