2000 Itasca Suncruser

[homeless]

Ford F53 does the Transmission have a filter pan and changing oil is an easy operation? How often should this be done?

[BFlinn181]

The filter is accessed by dropping the transmission pan. I'd buy a kit to get the pan gasket too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVaWss-gbFU

Transmission service interval is recommended every 30,000 miles.

[avfordguy]

Best to stay with oem filters dealer or rock auto, only use recomended fluid, you have the 4speed trans in a 2000 f53

[Hikerdogs]

It's a relatively easy job, however it can be messy. If your transmission has a drain plug it won't be messy unless you miss the drain bucket when removing the plug.

Some transmissions do not have a drain plug in the pan. If yours doesn't it can be messy if you don't lower one corner of the pan to allow it to drain. The original transmission in our 2001 chassis didn't have a drain plug. The transmission was replaced under warranty at about 42,000 miles. The new transmission did have a drain plug and also had an inline filter to the cooler.

Also when you get a filter make sure it's the one used in 4 wheel drive vehicles. The F53 chassis and the 4 wheel drive pickups have a deeper pan than 2 wheel drive trucks with the same transmission. The filter will have a longer tube to allow the filter to set lower in the pan. Be sure to compare the old filter to the new before installing it.

If you use the filter with the short tube you will likely have transmission slippage when turning corners. The fluid will wash to one side and the filter won't be deep enough in the pan to continue to be able to pick up the fluid.

[TarasParents]

I wasn't able to get the video to play, hopefully it shows the correct sequence for tightening the pan bolts. First just snug them up then go back for the final tightening.

If you don't have a torque wrench calibrated for inch pounds be careful how much torque you apply with your ratchet. They don't like to be over tightened.