2018 10R80 Dipstick

[DougS550]

Look at the photos Brokestang put in Post #24 of this thread. That is this same kit he installed. Doesn't look excessively long to me. He tie wrapped it right next to the passenger side Shock Tower. Maybe could be 6 - 8 inches shorter, but I am going to give it a try. My dealer wanted $550.00 plus taxes to service my 10R80 drain, filter and fill. I am not paying that much every track season.

I think I will get this one

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[cjatrains]

Transmission dipstick 1, Snakebyte 0.
I watched a video of a guy routing 3/8 drive extensions to up through the engine bay and loosening from the top. Not happening with my strut brace arrangement.
Next attempt...obtain a 19mm crowfoot and attempt to loosen from below.

Not sure if this helps or not. I couldn't get a socket with long extensions to work either, or course I am a lone wolf divorced working alone.

My first attempt was with a Flex Head, Ratcheting Box Wrench, other end open (19 MM).... First time I had it essentially bent at the flex head 90 degrees, and then used a large 22 mm as a cheater. Epic failure, ended up twisting (bending) the flex head wrench. I figured if I bent/twisted the tool, I was totally screwed !!!!

Took a couple of days off, working on radiator replacement etc. Was about to order some other tools and then decided to take the same tool but swing the open end out, so I had more a 30 to 45 degree bend at the flex head.

Took another 19 mm combination wrench to use a "cheater" on the open end of the ratching flex head, and voila, it popped loose. It was one of those why didn't I try that earlier moments. Obviously having the flex head at only 30-45 degrees I was getting much more leverage than when it was hanging straight down from fill plug cap.

Sorry no photos and I need to wrap up some other items before I drive to Watkins Glen Sunday.

 

[cjatrains]

I think I will get this one

I'll check that one out. I had 2 on my Watchlist, I am really leaning toward 2 of them that are at the $40 price point. I tried looking at some of the ones with higher price points it wasn't apparent to me if they were really different or not. That's the problem with shopping for Chinese stuff with no more than "stock" photos"....

Besides being a "miser" my other reason for staying below $45, is I am thinking there's almost a 50% chance, I may either be altering the 22000, or buying some other hardware to address the possible issue that this dipstick may not protrude far enough down into the s550 transmission pan to get that #6 marker, which is what you're supposed to have before going for a test drive to take final Hot measurements and ensure that you're between #4 and #5 markers.

I figure even if I do major modification or build the worst case is I wasted around $40 + taxes.

I am leaning toward this one, as they've sold quite a few and there's 15 positive reviews about this "Dipstick Kit" from actual buyers... But who knows, it's like the wild west.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/306038054846

 

[DougS550]

I'll check that one out. I had 2 on my Watchlist, I am really leaning toward 2 of them that are at the $40 price point. I tried looking at some of the ones with higher price points it wasn't apparent to me if they were really different or not. That's the problem with shopping for Chinese stuff with no more than "stock" photos"....

Besides being a "miser" my other reason for staying below $45, is I am thinking there's almost a 50% chance, I may either be altering the 22000, or buying some other hardware to address the possible issue that this dipstick may not protrude far enough down into the s550 transmission pan to get that #6 marker, which is what you're supposed to have before going for a test drive to take final Hot measurements and ensure that you're between #4 and #5 markers.

I figure even if I do major modification or build the worst case is I wasted around $40 + taxes.

I am leaning toward this one, as they've sold quite a few and there's 15 positive reviews about this "Dipstick Kit" from actual buyers... But who knows, it's like the wild west.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/306038054846

I am almost 100% sure I will mod, cut to length braze, find a location, make mount and Wala, done.

 

[Snakebyte]

I'll check that one out. I had 2 on my Watchlist, I am really leaning toward 2 of them that are at the $40 price point. I tried looking at some of the ones with higher price points it wasn't apparent to me if they were really different or not. That's the problem with shopping for Chinese stuff with no more than "stock" photos"....

Besides being a "miser" my other reason for staying below $45, is I am thinking there's almost a 50% chance, I may either be altering the 22000, or buying some other hardware to address the possible issue that this dipstick may not protrude far enough down into the s550 transmission pan to get that #6 marker, which is what you're supposed to have before going for a test drive to take final Hot measurements and ensure that you're between #4 and #5 markers.

I figure even if I do major modification or build the worst case is I wasted around $40 + taxes.

I am leaning toward this one, as they've sold quite a few and there's 15 positive reviews about this "Dipstick Kit" from actual buyers... But who knows, it's like the wild west.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/306038054846

Your challenge, if the dipstick manufacturer made the dipstick too short, is that you have to shorten the braided hose. That is no small task as the ends are swedged, and would have to be removed/replaced. Unswedging is not an option. Cutting a swedged collar off, replacing it with an new fitting, would cause the dipstick protrude far too deep into the transmission reservoir.

Therefore, I am taking a different approach, albeit more expensive. I purchased new hose and fittings off Amazon to thread into the top mount bracket. The top mount bracket actually seems to be a good design (though possibly reverse-engineered from a US manufacturer)

I am doing a cut-to-length of the new hose to get the correct dipstick insertion depth when my newly purchased fittings are attached.

Should I get a successful install, I'll post pics of the components I used in my modification. See below, a side-by-side pic of what I have so far. The original one was silver, the new one is black.

The critical dimension will be how far the dipstick protrudes below the transmission boss so that I have sufficient dipstick length to measure fluid, but not let the dipstick contact the bottom of the trans fluid pan. (The dipstick rubbing on the pan could cause problems as you can imagine.)

 

[cjatrains]

Thanks very helpful. I decided before I put my dipstick and plug back in my A10 i would take some measurements and make a quick rough shop drawing.... I am including it here, maybe it helps, but no harm in posting it.

Decided to run all dimensions off the seating flange where the sealing ring is on the factory aluminum cap/plug ...... The photo is sort of self explanatory with the plug and dipstick in the photo over the drawing....

 

[DougS550]

Your challenge, if the dipstick manufacturer made the dipstick too short, is that you have to shorten the braided hose. That is no small task as the ends are swedged, and would have to be removed/replaced. Unswedging is not an option. Cutting a swedged collar off, replacing it with an new fitting, would cause the dipstick protrude far too deep into the transmission reservoir.

Therefore, I am taking a different approach, albeit more expensive. I purchased new hose and fittings off Amazon to thread into the top mount bracket. The top mount bracket actually seems to be a good design (though possibly reverse-engineered from a US manufacturer)

I am doing a cut-to-length of the new hose to get the correct dipstick insertion depth when my newly purchased fittings are attached.

Should I get a successful install, I'll post pics of the components I used in my modification. See below, a side-by-side pic of what I have so far. The original one was silver, the new one is black.

The critical dimension will be how far the dipstick protrudes below the transmission boss so that I have sufficient dipstick length to measure fluid, but not let the dipstick contact the bottom of the trans fluid pan. (The dipstick rubbing on the pan could cause problems as you can imagine.)

The 22000 measuring tip length is set to the 10r80.. all I will do is shorten the top portion side which will Not change the measuring part which goes into the transmission. Ford just replaced my fluid, but I will still verify IAW the manual that my stick matches oem level dip stick. Very basic mod for me. But, everyone will do what they feel comfortable with.

 

[cjatrains]

The 22000 measuring tip length is set to the 10r80.. all I will do is shorten the top portion side which will Not change the measuring part which goes into the transmission. Ford just replaced my fluid, but I will still verify IAW the manual that my stick matches oem level dip stick. Very basic mod for me. But, everyone will do what they feel comfortable with.

Yes, that's what I am hoping will work for me as well, hence why I took those measurements. When the new dipstick is screwed all the way into the top mount/bracket, I figure I need the measuring part going into the pan to be protruding 2" to 3" from the seating surface. That way I can be confident it's submerged the same distance into the ATF fluid in the pan....

Assuming I can get there, then I just need to scribe visible marks at the 2", and 2 more on 5/16" centers, that should duplicate the factory stick with markers at 4, 5, & 6

I too am hoping I can shorten/modify the bracket at the opposite end of the tube up in the engine compartment to achieve that desired protrusion from the fitting screwing into the 10R80 case.

 

[DougS550]

Yes, that's what I am hoping will work for me as well, hence why I took those measurements. When the new dipstick is screwed all the way into the top mount/bracket, I figure I need the measuring part going into the pan to be protruding 2" to 3" from the seating surface. That way I can be confident it's submerged the same distance into the ATF fluid in the pan....

Assuming I can get there, then I just need to scribe visible marks at the 2", and 2 more on 5/16" centers, that should duplicate the factory stick with markers at 4, 5, & 6

I too am hoping I can shorten/modify the bracket at the opposite end of the tube up in the engine compartment to achieve that desired protrusion from the fitting screwing into the 10R80 case.

Yes, that sounds good. I am out of country in Curacao so I will do that project during winter mods time. Shoot me a message when you get it done. Later

 

[DougS550]

Yes, that's what I am hoping will work for me as well, hence why I took those measurements. When the new dipstick is screwed all the way into the top mount/bracket, I figure I need the measuring part going into the pan to be protruding 2" to 3" from the seating surface. That way I can be confident it's submerged the same distance into the ATF fluid in the pan....

Assuming I can get there, then I just need to scribe visible marks at the 2", and 2 more on 5/16" centers, that should duplicate the factory stick with markers at 4, 5, & 6

I too am hoping I can shorten/modify the bracket at the opposite end of the tube up in the engine compartment to achieve that desired protrusion from the fitting screwing into the 10R80 case.

They have them on Amazon cheap

 

[Brokestang]

Just remember to check the fluid level by unscrewing pull out the dipstick & wipe it clean. Then reinsert the dipstick but don't screw it back in. Push it till the threads touch the pull back out. When turning the knob to screw in or out it causes the dipstick to spin & flop around giving a false reading.

 

[DougS550]

Just remember to check the fluid level by unscrewing pull out the dipstick & wipe it clean. Then reinsert the dipstick but don't screw it back in. Push it till the threads touch the pull back out. When turning the knob to screw in or out it causes the dipstick to spin & flop around giving a false reading.

Thanks for that info, I will verify to make sure my check is the same measurement as stock dip stick.

 

[Brokestang]

Thanks for that info, I will verify to make sure my check is the same measurement as stock dip stick.

For my fluid level on this dipstick the very tip of the stick was approximately the 5 mark on the factory stick. So when hot the fluid level was at the very top of the bulb shape of the end of the dipstick where the bulb stops & the dipstick starts the flat area. This is the 4 mark. When cold like setting overnight & engine off the fluid level is at the top of the stick right about where it sticks out of the black fitting that screws into the transmission. Now I got these results after dropping the pan, with new filter & 8 quarts of fluid to refill.

 

[DougS550]

For my fluid level on this dipstick the very tip of the stick was approximately the 5 mark on the factory stick. So when hot the fluid level was at the very top of the bulb shape of the end of the dipstick where the bulb stops & the dipstick starts the flat area. This is the 4 mark. When cold like setting overnight & engine off the fluid level is at the top of the stick right about where it sticks out of the black fitting that screws into the transmission. Now I got these results after dropping the pan, with new filter & 8 quarts of fluid to refill.

Glad you spent the time to make sure all measurments you have given are 100% correct, and . the shared with others.

 

[cjatrains]

For my fluid level on this dipstick the very tip of the stick was approximately the 5 mark on the factory stick. So when hot the fluid level was at the very top of the bulb shape of the end of the dipstick where the bulb stops & the dipstick starts the flat area. This is the 4 mark. When cold like setting overnight & engine off the fluid level is at the top of the stick right about where it sticks out of the black fitting that screws into the transmission. Now I got these results after dropping the pan, with new filter & 8 quarts of fluid to refill.

I also want to say thanks for all the details and measurements etc.

Just so that I am clear, all these measurements are with the eBay 22000 knock off model without any Modifiations, correct ?

Not to beat a dead horse, but this set up sucks, the most critical measurement is when everything is scalding F....ing Hot !

Like you I measured numerous times with just the plastic dipstick and my very long bent nose needle nose pliers. One thing I noticed and it's really hard to avoid is if the dip stick touches the threads on bore of the hole, then subsequent readings take an extra measure of care and inspection to not confuse the actual fluid level with residual fluid getting on the stick.

Also I had to add 3/4 quart while everything was running as I wanted to be closer to the 4 marker, than the 5 marker.

I have my car up on the 7000 lb. Quik Jacks , so I can go in an out on a creeper but it's not user friendly at all.

It's really clear to me that my car was one of the many that was low from the factory. Just did a count and I added almost 9 quarts. I collected exactly 7.25 quarts after the procedure, I had one minor spill letting the pan down to the floor think it was completely empty, and I let the whole thing sit open without the filter & pan overnight so some more ATF kept slowly dripping out, but that was minimal. I have to believe I ran the first 12,000 miles down at least 1.25 to 1.5 quarts. Thanks Ford, really special

Only good news, is got less than I expected in the way of fine metallic powder on my magnet although when I finally tipped the pan up 90 degrees to let it drain before wiping and cleaning it, there was what looked like traces of silver paint in the last fluid to come out. I am assuming this was aluminum or some other non ferrous metal.....

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