I have a good replacement manual steering box but I want to make sure it has fresh lube before I install it. Question, grease or gear lube?

Also my warranty plate shows F100AB81 my color code is "F" which is some sort of light blue. My code book of Ford ID numbers does not show a color code F for 65 F series. It does correctly show the 81 as conventional cab but the AB is not listed under the interior trim code. I think this one used to have a padded dash from the factory. It is a custom cab.
Thank's all,

 

AB81: AB = Medium Blue Crush Vinyl & Medium Blue Check Stripe Woven Plastic / 81 = 81B Custom Cab.

F = Light Blue aka Arcadian Blue (AE60-1226-A) 1965/66 F100/1100. RPO (Regular Production Order) San Jose CA Assembly Plant only.

 

Larry, I have not had very good luck with grease in steering boxes. STP or Lucas gear lube clings to the internal parts much better.

 

What you want is "self leveling" grease. Aka "picker head grease" or "corn head" grease. Your Farm & Fleet supply store will have it.

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Found my local John Deere dealer and found this stuff:
John Deere Special-Purpose Corn Head Gun Grease - AN102562 Is this the same grease? less than $4.00 per tube.

 

I have checked 2 different sources and now I understand why my color combo is not listed. Is it because it was a San Jose only color?
Thanks for the info.
Cheers

 

The issue is most gearbox seals are pretty well worn out at this point. 90 wt (or even STP) will probably leak in a well loved box.

You have a rebuilt box with new seals. What does the rebuilder recommend... Penright makes a steering box lube. That's what I would use in a "new" box. The picker head grease acts like an oil at temps so it will flow but sets up when cold, exactly what's wanted in a leaky, tired steering box. It will work fine, too. Hope this helps.

 

It is a used box but is not real loose. I called my local Deere dealer and they said they had 30 tubes in stock. I drove all the way over there and they could not find one tube. I was disappointed after that.
So now another search.

 

I found this grease that is a lithium base and is not real thick but not too thin. It is tacky.
Lucas Red N Tacky #2. Six bucks a tube.
http://lucasoil.com/images/documents...cky-Grease.pdf
I'm going to try it in my box. Good for 540 degrees F.

 

I'm sure they would order some if you asked. Still.

Amazon has it, eBay, etc. Brick and mortar stores are in trouble, why bother wasting fuel driving around for something they can't even find? Anyway.

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That's why i called them first, they lost inventory somewhere. I would rather support my local stores.
It's easy to click to buy it now or whatever but you have to wait for the parcel to arrive and pay shipping as well.
I only buy on the internet if I can't purchase locally or if I purchase something I don't really need on evil bay.
But I know what you mean but it gives me a chance to get out for a while.
Cheers