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Transmission filter kit

jkexplorer

Well-Known Member
Joined
July 16, 2004
Messages
171
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City, State
San Francisco, CA
Year, Model & Trim Level
2000 XLT
Need a transmission filter kit for my 2000 XLT 4WD. The local Kragen Auto Supply carries two brands - A kit from Pioneer Automotive Products for $33.99 and another one from Powertrain Components for $16.99. The kit includes the filter, pan gasket, and o-rings. Has anyone had any experience with either brand? The price difference is substantial.
 



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The only filter I recommend is also the one FORD uses as OEM... the FRAM microfelt filter. Find it and you will be set.
 












Glacier991 said:
The only filter I recommend is also the one FORD uses as OEM... the FRAM microfelt filter. Find it and you will be set.

I thought Ford uses a Motorcraft filter I believe part no. FT-133 or FT-134. Have they switched to Fram for this application?
 






aldive said:
Consider adding an external filter.

I read that thread before, based on a reference you made to it in one of your previous posts. It has a lot of valuable information and I am considering this option for the future. What is your opinion of an inline filter as opposed to the external spin-on filter. Appears to be more trouble to replace but easier to install.
 






Glacier991 said:
The only filter I recommend is also the one FORD uses as OEM... the FRAM microfelt filter. Find it and you will be set.

Following my first response I went to the Fram website and checked on their transmission filters. For my 2000 Ex they have a transmission filter for the V8 and the V6 OHV, but not for the SOHC which is what I have.
 






jkexplorer said:
Need a transmission filter kit for my 2000 XLT 4WD. The local Kragen Auto Supply carries two brands - A kit from Pioneer Automotive Products for $33.99 and another one from Powertrain Components for $16.99. The kit includes the filter, pan gasket, and o-rings. Has anyone had any experience with either brand? The price difference is substantial.

The Pioneer brand ones are fine, but the price should not be that high. That sounds like an error. I worked at a parts store for a while and they're always around $15-20. If you want a higher quality one, go for Wix. I don't know where the heck you'd get a Fram one, but Fram's garbage anyway, don't get it.
 






I will not get into the FRAM oil filter debate.... but I respectfully and strongly disagree on transmission filters. The FRAM microfelt is THE BEST THERE IS. Others are mere screens. If you can find it, BUY the FRAM transmission filter. FORD does not use FRAM for OEM oil, but they do for OEM Transmission!

I apologize but the last post is plain misinformed on FRAM transmission filters. TEY ARE THE BEST!
 






Using a microfelt filter brings out an interesting question for me. There will be 60K miles on the car when I change the filter and flush the transmission. The transmission was flushed once before by the dealer at about the 35K mark using Mercon V fluid. I would like to use Amsoil synthetic fluid this time around. In view of the detergent properties of the synthetic fluid, would it be more prudent the first time that a synthetic is used, to use a screen filter as opposed to a microfelt filter precisely because the microfelt filter has superior filtering properties? My concern is that for my specific scenario the microfelt filter may get clogged up a lot easier then the screen filter as the synthetic fluid "cleans" the transmission. The next go, I should be able to use the microfelt filter. Please tell me if you see any "holes" in my reasoning.

Thank you
 






I'd do the following... ADD a drain plug to your pan. If you are worried. go microfelt, wait a yeat and drain the pan, change to a new microfelt and add the 4-5 quarts to get back where you should be. Not to over obsess.
 






Glacier991 said:
I will not get into the FRAM oil filter debate.... but I respectfully and strongly disagree on transmission filters. The FRAM microfelt is THE BEST THERE IS. Others are mere screens. If you can find it, BUY the FRAM transmission filter. FORD does not use FRAM for OEM oil, but they do for OEM Transmission!

I apologize but the last post is plain misinformed on FRAM transmission filters. TEY ARE THE BEST!

If I'm wrong, so be it. I'd love to see concrete proof that's not opinion based. I just find it hard to believe that a company that makes marginal to poor products overall would have one that is "the best."
 






jayhawkexplorer said:
. If you want a higher quality one, go for Wix.

Thank you for the information. Unfortunately just as with the Fram, the Wix website only lists a transmission filter for a V8 and not for my V6 SOHC. So I got to go back to the drawing board.
 






jkexplorer said:
Thank you for the information. Unfortunately just as with the Fram, the Wix website only lists a transmission filter for a V8 and not for my V6 SOHC. So I got to go back to the drawing board.

They make it, their website just doesn't have a real good parts look up feature. Go to here http://www.wixfilters.com/filterlookup/index.asp and in the "competitor interchange" part, put in "745157," which is the Pioneer filter kit for the 4R55E/5R55E transmission. They'll give you a part number of 58841, which is the correct one for your truck. Just give that part number to your parts store and you'll be good to go.
 






Thank you. I followed your directions and just as you said part number 58841 came up. I sent an inquiry to Wix just to be 100% certain.
 






Glacier991 said:
The FRAM microfelt is THE BEST THERE IS. Others are mere screens. If you can find it, BUY the FRAM transmission filter. FORD does not use FRAM for OEM oil, but they do for OEM Transmission!

In one of your older posts, I think last year, you mentioned that Fram distributes SPX filters. Is that still the case or do they manufacture their own now? I did find a listing for an SPX filter for my model Ex.
 






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