2004 Ford Ranger 4x4 Automatic Transmission filter

[Hillyard]

I have a 2004 Ford Ranger 4x4 with the 3.0. I want to locate the correct transmission filter (prefer Wix) and gasket for it. It's a 5r44e but since it's a 4x4 does that mean it's a deep pan? On rockauto.com it only shows the 2wd 5r44e and the 4x4 5r55e. Is the 2wd and 4wd transmission filters the same? It's not a deep pan like on the 4.0s?

Has anyone easily added a drain plug to the transmission pan? Does anybody know where I could pick up an extra pan to have a drain plug added? Junkyards say they don't have any Ford Ranger 4x4 3.0 auto trannys to part out...

The transmission was flushed at 46k miles before I bought it.

Also any advice?

 

[rurouni20xx]

why so soon? (46k miles) fluid and filter arent recommended for 80k miles. id be looking at a few more junkyards or find a similar year truck with a 5r44e/5r55e/4r44e (i think i have those numbers right, i hate my a4ld and happy my new truck has the m50dr1 lol) 4wd, they may be related as they are built off the a4ld transmission.

 

[Hillyard]

why so soon? (46k miles) fluid and filter arent recommended for 80k miles. id be looking at a few more junkyards or find a similar year truck with a 5r44e/5r55e/4r44e (i think i have those numbers right, i hate my a4ld and happy my new truck has the m50dr1 lol) 4wd, they may be related as they are built off the a4ld transmission.

Recommended and safe optimal fluid changes are two different things. I would much rather change it every 50k miles rather than every 80k. That's just me though....