OK to use ramps up front to drop 5R55E pan for re-gasket and filter change?

[Beetlejuice]

So, about that drain pan linked. The description doesn’t specify 09... but I do have trans code D 5R55E

Should be ok? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PBGNBST/?tag=959media-20

• Ford Ranger 2005-2007 5R44E 4WD To: 8/29/06
• Ford Ranger 1997-2007 5R55E 4WD To 8/29/06

 

[Beetlejuice]

OK so I've driven about 30 miles since the trans fluid / filter / gasket change and I went back under to check work and I've still got some seepage.

It's entirely possible I didn't clean up the trans side mating surface 100%, or maybe its the pan itself (looks to be OEM and no damage on visual. I am running the metal OEM gasket as well..

At any rate, what do you think? This is the only problematic area, around this corner and along the front side. The L and R and Rear seem to pass the finger and paper towel test.

I've got to do something.. clearly. While I'm at it and on the topic of drain pans... would any Transpan for 4x4 Gen 3 Ranger work? There is no big difference between early 2000s to 2011 right? I've got an FX4 w/ 5R55E

 

[Dirtman]

Any trans pan from a 4r44e/4r55e/5r44e/5r55e will work. 2wd or 4wd will work IF YOU GET THE FILTER TO MATCH THE PAN. 4x4 pan just has a little sump/dimple in the middle and the matching 4x4 filter has a pickup tube to fit it. The fluid capacity difference between the 4x4 and 2x4 is like 0.1 quarts, I'm not even sure why they made that little dimple. Either style pan will work on either type of truck just fine.

Im not 100% but i think even the a4ld pan fits. They are all the same basic transmission all the way back to the c3.

 

[Curious Hound]

OK so I've driven about 30 miles since the trans fluid / filter / gasket change and I went back under to check work and I've still got some seepage.

It's entirely possible I didn't clean up the trans side mating surface 100%, or maybe its the pan itself (looks to be OEM and no damage on visual. I am running the metal OEM gasket as well..

At any rate, what do you think? This is the only problematic area, around this corner and along the front side. The L and R and Rear seem to pass the finger and paper towel test.

I've got to do something.. clearly. While I'm at it and on the topic of drain pans... would any Transpan for 4x4 Gen 3 Ranger work? There is no big difference between early 2000s to 2011 right? I've got an FX4 w/ 5R55E

In the immortal words of my mother “Stop picking at it. You’ll make it worse.”

 

[Dirtman]

In the immortal words of my mother “Stop picking at it. You’ll make it worse.”

In my experience butts don't leak cause you pick at it... you pick at it BECAUSE it leaks. Noses are a different story.

 

[Beetlejuice]

I suppose one last question for the experts in thread

I've read some posts where folks suggest using a small amount of RTV sealant on the pan-side of the gasket. I'm going to be using OEM metal style gasket, again. What do you think? RTV or no?

 

[Roert42]

I normal smear a little bit of rtv on most gaskets that I install, I did the same when I changed fluid on my transmission.

 

[Dirtman]

The factory rubber/steel gasket needs no RTV. If it leaks the pan is warped or the mating surface screwed. I've re-used my original factory gasket 5 times now in 12 years and it still doesn't leak a drop... fix the real problem don't just add goop...

 

[Beetlejuice]

Thanks Dirtman, my intention is fix whatever is causing this.

Last night I combed through various parts sites and other car sites and each trans pan reference I found for the late model Rangers (2007+) indicated that a different part number was used for 2007+ as compared to 2006 and under.

7L5Z7A194BA & 7L5Z7A194B: 2007 to 2011
F69Z7A194BA: 1998 to 2006 (to build date 08/29/06)

The only site with a parts compatibility/catalogue that I could find that indicated the 2006 and under part would fit my 09 FX4 was Rock Auto:

All to say, to play it safe I ordered another Ford OEM pan specifically for 07 (7L5Z7A194B). If it is a pan issue, its not going to my issue moving forward.