Has anyone added a drain plug to their transmission?

[JoshT]

I suppose the is it specifically aimed at people with a 4wd 4R44E/4R55E/5R44E/5R55E cause the 4x4 version is supposed to be deeper, but I'll throw it out to all you automatic Ranger owners.

I'm about to change the fluid/filter in my 99 Ranger, and want to add a drain plug for future fluid fliter changes. I haven't actually gotten the pan off yet, but I can't tell a good place to put a drain plug in. I tried to use a siphon pump and get all the fluid out through the dipstick tube, but it appears that the pan is still full of fluid. At least I still have fluid dripping out around a couple of the loosened bolt holes. I can't be taking an ATF bath before going to work so it'll have to wait for another day. I definitely want to add a drain to make this easier for future changes. If anyone can suggest a good location to drill a 1/2" hole for the bolt in drain plug, I'll just pop a smaller hole right there and let it drain before continuing removal of the pan.

If you've done it and have a pic please post it up. As they say a pic is worth a thousand words.

 

[exbass94]

I haven't actually done it yet but I also plan on putting a drain plug in. I think someone once installed one in the very lowest part of the pan, where there's a circular dip in the middle. There's also the aftermarket pan from PML which already has a drain plug installed, and is deeper than the stock pan, which gives some more fluid capacity. It doesn't fit all Ranges though, as the exhaust gets in the way on some models.

 

[JoshT]

PML... Having a drain plug, or extra capacity for that matter, isn't worth $300 to me. Factory 4x4 pan holds plenty, at most I need a better trans cooler with fan to keep the fluid cooler.

I opted not to install it in the lowest point in the pan because I didn't want to risk interference with the filter pick-up tube. Instead there is a slightly shallower spot in the pan just behind that sump that I installed it in. It won't get all of the fluid out, but it should enough that I won't dump fluid all over in future changes. I'll try to remember to post up a pic of where I put it at.