Evening,
I'd like to buy a new transmission pan with a drain bolt in it for my 1999 2wd Ford Ranger Auto 4r44e Tranny. Problem is the only pans on sale are for the 4x4 Ranger which means that it is a deeper pan than the shallower stock 4x2 pan. My question is whether the "deeper" 4x4 filter is cross compatible with the 2wd 4r44e tranny or would I end up damaging it? I've tried to find a forum post that addresses filter cross compatibility but it seems no one has attacked this issue yet. Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

Simple... Yes the 4x4 pan is deeper, but all you need to do is buy a 4x4 filter and it will fit your 2wd trans. The 4x4 filter is identical to the 2wd just with a deeper pickup to match the pan deeper pan. No other differences.

 

So just to be clear the only difference is that I will have to use the 4x4 filter? Will I have to get a longer bolt for the deeper filter? Sorry I am ignorant of these facts. I have yet to actually crack the pan open and see the setup with my own eyes. I did have two more questions. I've heard that the gasket is reusable is that true? Also why does the deeper pan need a deeper filter? Won't I be filling the tranny back to the same level it was in the shallow pan?

 

Yes you just need to buy the 4x4 filter and yes they come with the bolt (i believe its the same bolt as the 2wd anyway) the filter itself is the same it just has a deeper pickup tube. The gasket is USUALLY reuseable. Only If its the OEM rubber gasket with the steel support. If it was ever changed and has a plane rubber or cork gasket it will need to be replaced. And the 4x4 filter is deeper because the pan is deeper, If the fluid in the pan got low the 2wd filter would be too high in the pan and stop sucking fluid and then bye bye transmission.