So I got a 2000 ford ranger 2.5 auto. Bought it with a bad transmission. I bought a new transmission out of a auto salvage yard. The transmission has 155k on it. Should I change the fluid and filter prior to putting it in the truck? Or put it in and get it up to operating temperature and then change it?

 

What does the trans fluid on the dip stick look like?

Removing the pan before you put it in to check for debris, i.e. metal bits, might be prudent, if all looks OK then put in new filter and put on the pan
Put trans in, it will be lighter
Then refill once trans is in place
New torque converter will suck up 3 quarts or so, just a heads up, so you may want to put 2 quarts in it before install

Be sure to flush the trans cooler lines and trans cooler, if old trans was bad then debris could be left in lines and cooler

If this is your first automatic install, make sure you lube the front seal and then SEAT the torque converter inside the bell housing FIRST, or you WILL RUIN the replacement transmission, no may be, WILL RUIN

 

it's not a nee transmisson. But a used one out of a junk yard. I haven't got it yet. It's being shipped. Should have it one day this week. I did flush the lines and am replacing the radiator. I have the front pump seal, going to install a new one. Not my first automatic install. Never have lubed the seal, what should I lube it with.

 

Any grease is fine, you just don't want a Dry start when torque converter starts to spin, you can put it on torque converter's shaft before you seat it

 

Hello Everyone, couldn't seem to find a "correct" spot to put this so I figured this should work. I have a 99 XLT with 250k miles automatic trans, recently rebuilt motor at 225k and haven't changed the transmission fluid or filter since 205k. I do no towing or hauling, mostly freeway miles. Found a Motorcraft filter kit FT133 on amazon for $19 (see link) but I wanted to see if anyone could suggest trans fluid since the Motorcraft ATF runs about $40 for a 1.25gal jug. Is 45k a good change interval too much or should I push it longer? The book says to do it every 90k so im not sure. Looking for ATF suggestion. I've heard Valvoline makes a pretty good Mercon 5 ATF but not sure if Motorcraft would be better... Thank you in advance for your help!

 

Good quality ATF defintely ain't cheap!
Personal preference here is MerconV-Compatible FullSyn RedLine# HighTemp or AmsOil# SSMVS
Many use Valvoline MerconV, commonly available at big box stores, likely the cheapest option; I've used it in the past without complaint.
Do read LabelSmallPrint & ProductDataSheet of what your considering to make sure its MerconV-Compatible.
Here every 33k\4Years, do a Trans PanDrop + new Filter + ValveBodyBolt retorq + new PanGasket + Band adjust+ new MerconV.
Then every 5k\6Months, do a ~1qt HandPump from Trans DipTube & refresh the MerconV, along with usual Engin Oil+Filter change.
Suspect like Engin Oil+Filter, that it's more important to rountinely change Trans ATF+Filter, than what brand you use.