Hi all,
I'm getting ready to install my freshly rebuilt ZF5 transmission and BW1356 transfer case into my Bronco.

I've read a lot of back and forth on fluids. My trans shop said to just get synthetic ATF and put it in both. However, Ford states that the TC requires a special transfer case fluid (XL-12) and that Mercon V is not safe in it.
What fluids are you guys using in yours? Is there a single synthetic ATF that I can safely put in both?
Or do they need different, special fluids?
Also, are some brands better than others?

Thanks

 

When I had the 95 with a zf5, I used normal ATF in both. Never heard of the other stuff.

 

Well, I found a really good deal on Ford's "Transfer Case Fluid" (XL-12)
Rockauto sells it for about $6 a quart, as opposed to about $15 everywhere else. So, I figured I might as well just use what Ford recommends and grabbed a few quarts. There may never be any difference between it and regular synthetic ATF, but it certainly can't hurt.
For the ZF5, I'm going to try Red Line D4 ATF

 

Nice!

RedLine makes some wonderful lubes. I use em in my diffs too

 

The BW1356 takes Dexron II or III ATF with no issue. Regarding the ZF I have no idea, but it probably isn't ATF, maybe it's differential gear oil what it takes, but I have no clue.

 

This is an image I found online. My sticker is long gone.



The ZF5 takes a synthetic ATF. The tolerances are much too tight for gear oil and, from what I've read, it would be destroyed pretty quickly if you put some in.