Transmission filter & gasket: Do I need to use Ford OEM parts here?

[Riverguy]

My terrific 2004 Ranger 4.0 V6 5-speed automatic transmission is due for a drain and filter replacement. Why I can buy the filter and pan gasket kit at Napa (or any other A/P store) for less than $20 and the dealer wants $65 for them? $28 just for the gasket! I like to buy OEM parts for my vehicles, but this is nuts. Is there a reason to buy the Ford parts for this? The dealer parts guy tells me that there are minor differences from one transmission to another within the model year, depending on the vehicle VIN, and that the generic parts-store replacements may or may not fit correctly.

Any opinions on this would be welcome!

 

[Dirtman]

The only difference that matters is 2wd or 4wd as the filters are slightly different between the two (4x4 is slightly deeper because it has deeper pan). There are no other transmission differences, all 2004 rangers used the same automatic transmission (5r44/55e).

The price the dealer wants for the gasket is because the factory Ford gasket is rubber coated steel while aftermarket ones are usually just flimsy rubber or cork. The factory gaskets are re-useable so you may not even need to replace it.

As for the filter, no you don't need a motorcraft filter, any decent brand will do. I'd just grab the kit from Napa or wherever.

 

[wildbill23c]

I bought my filter/gasket and replacement transmission pan with a drain plug installed from Rock Auto, not OEM, but works just fine. This was on an A4LD but I'm sure the same would be true with any vehicle, get a known quality brand and you should be fine.

 

[19Walt93]

Just make sure the filter fits properly when you install it. I had a customer chew me out because we wouldn't tear down his transmission under warranty since we weren't able to duplicate a problem. He said it went to neutral "every time he backed out of his garage" before he could shift to drive. When I finally got him to drive with me it worked fine, then he said his driveway was "kind of steep", so we went to a side street on a serious grade and tried it. Instant neutral until we got on flat ground. Jiffy Lube "serviced" the transmission and the filter was a loose fit so if the truck was headed up a steep grade the transmission sucked air instead of fluid. We sold him a filter that actually fit. I would use Motorcraft fluid not any of the alleged universal fluids out there.

 

[Dirtman]

I'm with Walt in regards to using only Motorcraft Mercon V. Don't buy universal junk.