Transfer case lube?

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Mar 26, 2019 | 10:58 PM

#16

Claluja

Mountain Pass

Joined: Oct 2018

Posts: 112

Likes: 4

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qwazert

It's not a question of not wanting to use it...I went to my local dealer and asked for it by name.
Parts person told me they no longer stock it because it was superseded by Ford.

Here are some dealers discussing it

https://www.ar15.com/forums/General/...=bottom#bottom

Use XL-12 if you can get it, online or wherever. If not, Mercon LV.

Note: I think the guy in your video says not to use Mercon (different than Mercon LV).

Mar 26, 2019 | 11:20 PM

#17

Qwazert

Thread Starter

Tuned

Joined: Dec 2018

Posts: 330

Likes: 26

Yes....listening to it again, he specifically states to NOT use Mercon V in the transfer case. I just assumed that Mercon V and LV were the same stuff....my bad!
According to your link, the spec sheet for the Mercon LV https://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubrican...ission%20Fluid
says that it can indeed be used "in all transfer cases".

Looks like I know what to get now....thank you everyone!

Mar 27, 2019 | 07:30 AM

#18

don123

Laughing Gas

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 1,047

Likes: 6

From: Massachusetts

I used xl-12 as stated in my manual when I changed mine. You can get it on amazon.

Mar 27, 2019 | 08:28 AM

#19

saratoga2011

Laughing Gas

Joined: Nov 2010

Posts: 797

Likes: 263

Quote:

Originally Posted by 00t444e

Yes, the chain driven NV series transfer cases have always used Mercon( Ford spec), Dextron (GM spec), or atf 4 (Chrysler) since they came out they aren't real picky about fluid so each manufacturer always listed their own ATF spec to use in them, since they have all used NV series t-cases at some point. Then all of a sudden one video comes out about a transfer case exploded and dedicated transfer case fluid is needed to prevent this. Yet the video offers little detail on how the fluid it was using caused a failure or what the failure point was. So after over 20 years of using ATF in these transfer cases with no problems, now everyone thinks you have to use the transfer case fluid, it's nothing more than a scam in my opinion.

Yup. It's basically the same transfer case used in all 3. In reality, any cheap multi-vehicle ATF will be fine. In the F250s I've had, I have used M-1 synthetic ATF and supra tech ATF. In the 2500HD I had, I used Dex 3, Allison TranSynd, and even 5W30 engine oil for a while back when that was all the rage and the GM transfer cases had the "pump rub" issue.

There's nothing magical going on inside. There's a small pump that keeps the bearing in the output shaft lubed while you're in 2wd, that's all. That's also the reason the xfer case fluid should be changed regularly even if you rarely use 4x4.

Mar 27, 2019 | 11:16 AM

#20

Qwazert

Thread Starter

Tuned

Joined: Dec 2018

Posts: 330

Likes: 26

OK...a phone call to my local Dealer and this is what I got:
XL-12 has been discontinued and superseded by the Mercon LV...so LV is what they use in the transfer cases now.

So that is what I'll be using, although probably NOT the Motorcraft stuff........probably some off-the-shelf type with the LV spec.