I have a 1986 f150 2wd with a 4 speed manual transmission and I would like to change the transmission fluid. My Haynes manual says 80W gear lube. I cant find 80W gear lube anywhere so I am assuming that I use 80w-90 gear oil. I don't have my owners manual as it was unfortunately ripped to pieces by a mouse that found its way into my glovebox. I seem to remember that in the owners manual it said something about a certain fluid specification but I cant remember. I have seen online something about ESP-M2C83-C or, WSD-M2C200-C specs. I have no idea if these are the right specs, they do look familiar to the ones I remember seeing in my owners manual when I had it years ago. I also remember looking for fluid to buy when I had my owners manual and not being able to find a fluid with the correct specifications. Is this because the specifications are outdated and all of the correct fluids exceed the specification? I have no idea. Anyway, does anyone know what kind of fluid goes into my transmission? If it is 80w-90 gear oil can I use any brand/type of that fluid? does it have to be NON-limited slip 80w90? I have seen limited slip gear oil and im assuming that is meant for differentials only. Any help would be greatly appreciated since unfortunately the only manual I have is a Haynes manual and it is very vague. Thanks

 

 

The 80-90 gear oil will work and is probably all you will readily find. Most all the older trannies used gear lube, though I believe some did use engine oil also. Later on they went to the 5 speeds, and most of them use auto tranny fluid(the thin red stuff). The 5 speeds where lighter aluminum, tighter tolerances, and used the thinner oil for less drivetrain loss and increased mpg(along with the overdrive).

And most transfer cases in the 80's also used auto tranny fluid.

 

Thank you for your replies. The specification that you reccomended dort is unknown to me, the ford dealers, and apparently everyone else online. The closest I can find to that spec is 80w-90 gear oil. I guess I can try it out and hope for the best???? Hopefully someones out there who has done this and had success. All I can find is suggestions not anyone who has actually tried it.

 

OK I just found a part number cross reference chart that shows the spec that dort posted as gl-4 80w-90 gear oil. I'm assuming that gl-5 could hurt the transmission from what I have read so I believe now I have enough information to change the fluid. I will post the results. Anyone else with further input wouldstill be greatly appreciated.

 

How did you come up with that cross reference between those two numbers? The only one farmilliar to me is esp-m2c83-c.

 

I have the original ford dealership manuals for 1986 the dealer just needed to cross reference them

 

I really wish I had my manual. if its not too much to ask can you post that entire page for future reference? I plan on using 80w-90 gear oil but I can't find one that is yellow metal safe assuming that that could be a issue. You obviously have a '86, what tranny do you have and what do you use?

 

Ok here's the page I have an AOD so I use Dextron 2 or better.