How not to change transmission fluid

This diagram (and the videos on youtube) make it look as if changing the transmission fluid on your 1989 Ford Ranger takes about seven minutes. But of course, they weren't accounting for me. I decided to try it at night, in the snow when it was about 20 degrees. It wasn't until I had drained the old fluid (and passed the point of no return) That I realised that 80W 90 oils at 20 degrees Fahrenheit has approximately the same consistency as molasses.

The nice man at the auto parts store sold me a pump, which he said would be the quick and easy way to get the fluid back into the tranny. Back home the pump broke with the second stroke. I went back to the auto parts store a second time. And a third time. None of his ideas or gizmos worked. The oils was too think. After 4 hours of trying I finally managed to fill the transmission by putting the oil in a squeeze bottle, connecting the bottle to a tube and running the tube into the transmission. In the process I drank about a quart of oil.

What an adventure.

Ledge Featherlite 20 Review

I shopped around a lot and I think its difficult to beat the Ledge Featherlite if you're looking for good performance at a reasonable price. It weights only three pounds and compacts to the size of a pineapple.

The first time I used the bag was in my back yard (I couldn't wait until my next trip). The temperature dropped to freezing and I felt great.

Sure there are warmer bags. There is the Katabatic Gear Palisade which costs $390 or the Enlightened Equipment Revelation for only $260. But let's face it, most of us don't need gear that is either that intense or that expensive. I'll leave that up to the pros.

There is also the down v. synthetic debate to consider. Down is warmer and compacts more (but is also more expense). The Achilles heel of down is moisture. I live in the Pacific Northwest so synthetic is a no-brainer.

Before I got the Featherlite I lugged around the Coleman North Rim which is a wonderful zero degree bag but weights far too much. If I were to do it again I may buy the zero degree Featherlite instead of the 20. It is worth the extra $20. But for anything down to 35 degrees the Ledge Featherlite 20 is a cheep and comfortable solution.