does the torque converter of a 08 ranger have a drain plug i have 120,000 km on my rig and i think its time for a tranny fluid change

 

No

You will only get 4ish of the 10 quarts the trans holds by dropping the pan.

 

how about draining from the return hose ?

 

Just drop the pan and change the filter and fluid that is lost from the pan. Draining it from the cooler will make the pump and converter unhappy when you run them dry.

 

I've actually read in several places that the 06+ transmissions are sealed for life. Definitive information on either way is cloudy at best, the definition of "life" can be a little flexible too... I haven't changed any fluid or filter in mine yet at 54k miles, but my idea was just get a pump and pump some out the dipstick, refill that amount, then drive a little bit, do it again, and just do it a couple times, kind of a flush I guess, but it wouldnt require getting into the tranny at all. and that would be getting some fresh fluid but leaving the filter.

 

The transmission fluid service interval for a 5R55E transmission is 150,000 miles. This info can be found on page 28 of the scheduled maintenance guide with your truck.

If you are going to do anything to your transmission, change the filter. Not changing the filter is like taking a shower, and using the same towel to dry off.

 

I have always heard that when a tran's has alot of miles on it if you change the fluid the tran's will start to slip due to the shaving's and such in the bands and when you flush you clean those out and start to slip, i done this on a 86 chevy truck and it slip really bad had to replace it. I am not a tran's person but check it out before you do it.

 

on my manual its says to change tranny fluid @ 86000 km and is lifetime seald meaning liftime of the fluid ?

 

The 04-05 maintenance guide says every 105,000 miles for manual transmission. Sealed for life is a joke, no matter what any one says

 

My 5r died at 108k, was flushed at least once and later shift kit installed. To bad it was reverse that was gone not the clutches.

bmfmancini - Lifetime means the life of the transmission, when it dies it needs new fluid.

In order to change all the fluid it needs to be flushed with either a machine or a home brew option. If the fluid is still bright red and doesnt smell burnt its just fine. I would drop the pan and put on a new filter, clean the old clutch out of the pan and top it up with fluid.

If your thinking of changing the fluid because the truck is acting weird. Then a new separator plate gaskets are in order. Good thing is this will drain most of the trans except the converter so about 8 of the 10 quarts.

 

i think what its implying is to change it through the dipstick tube, like how a tranny flush machine would, obviously to say its sealed for life, but change it every 86k km, is a little
contradictory.

 

i changed the tranny fluid in my 2007 at 50,000 miles. dropped the pan, reseal and filter, refill. i will do it again at 100,000...

 

Do your self a favor and add a drain plug. They are like $5.

 

why go through the trouble of tapping in a drain plug?
your not getting all the fluid out, one of the biggest benefits is prob the filter change.

 

It takes about 5 min to add a plug and saves you a ton of mess the next time.