Another Ranger Ownerand I gotta get the opinion of you guys about transmissions.

Here's the hypothytical.

You are about to buy a used truck. A little 3.0, automatic. 200K on the clock. The Service record is NOT known but all fluids (primarily lubricating fluids) are not burnt of bear any burnt smell. These are givens....here is where we need your vote and reasons vor your vote.

One of us say that to service the transmission, other than a superficial oil change, would release particles and films that would shorten the remaining life of the transmission

The other claims that to THROUGHLY flush an automatic as the one described should be done.

Hell...I know it sounds stupid...besides...what else can ya do when he's pretty potted in place. But this butthead (him or me?) thinks he can't be wrong when it comes to facts about ford trucks.

The other just wants to see him outted as being "stupid".

 

If I had no history on a vehicle I would completely flush the engine and tranny, even the diffs.

If I had known the vehicle to be well maintained I'd probably just do a oil change

 

I would buy it, if the price was right, lol, and then drive it for a month or two, watching the fluids, to see if any problems showed up.

A used vehicle is an unknown, service records or not, IMO it would be a waste of time and money to do a full service on "bad" transmission.
It won't save it.
Changing the oil with a knocking rod bearing won't help, lol.
Preventative maintenance is only viable if used on known good components.

So I would drive it and see.
If nothing shows up then start the routine maintenance and records for vehicle.