Transfer case fluid

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Jun 12, 2019 | 09:52 AM

Batgeek

Thread Starter

More Turbo

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 532

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From: Punta Gorda, Florida

Transfer case fluid

Going to be changing out the transmission soon. I know that Mercon V is the approved fluid for the transmission, but what about the transfer case? From what I've read here Mercon V is not approved for the transfer case only Mercon and Mercon isn't made any more, at least not license approved by Ford. Every manufacturer is possibly using their own recipe. So what am I putting in my transfer case that says Mercon? What do you guys use and what is safe? Is there a transfer case fluid approved?

Jun 12, 2019 | 09:55 AM

ArmyLifer

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Mar 2017

Posts: 1,365

Likes: 179

From: Phenix City, AL

Ford Transfer Case Fluid XL-12. Others have used Mercon V with no issues.

Jun 12, 2019 | 10:10 AM

krewat

FTE Leadership Emeritus

Joined: Jul 2002

Posts: 42,561

Likes: 421

From: Long Island USA

Mercon V superceded Mercon. So if something says Mercon, it's OK to use Mercon V.

When I changed the fluid in my transfer case on my gasser, I used Castrol Mercon V.

Jun 12, 2019 | 10:13 AM

ford390gashog

Fleet Owner

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 26,007

Likes: 575

From: Brentwood,CA

The XL-12 is discontinued.

Jun 12, 2019 | 12:38 PM

Wes444

Logistics Pro

Joined: May 2017

Posts: 4,667

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From: Muskogee, Ok

Maybe discontinued, but not impossible to find. I drained n filled with XL12 last year

Jun 12, 2019 | 12:58 PM

Sous

FTE Leadership Emeritus

Joined: May 2014

Posts: 27,345

Likes: 5,941

From: Lake Hartwell, GA

Used Amsoil ATF for years, recently changed fluids and switched to XL-12 for the transfer case.

Jun 12, 2019 | 04:44 PM

Batgeek

Thread Starter

More Turbo

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 532

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From: Punta Gorda, Florida

Thanks for the information. With it I did a little investigating and discovered Ford is recommending Mercon LV for our transfer cases.
https://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubrican...ission%20Fluid
I guess I'll give that a go.

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Jun 13, 2019 | 05:09 PM

brian42

Lead Driver

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 7,092

Likes: 145

From: San Diego, CA

I put Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF in my transfer case shortly after I bought it and only swapped out the fluid once in the 11 years I had it. I never had a problem with the transfer case and I doled out more than enough stress through it as I off-road fairly consistently. I don't do rock crawling but I do get a lot of looks as 4 tons of Ford with a 13' wheelbase is not a normal sight on the trails.

Jun 13, 2019 | 06:37 PM

#10

renoduckman

Tuned

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 442

Likes: 7

From: reno nevada

Fluid

Yes I also used Mobil 1 ATF last time. At the end of last year I bought Motorcraft transfer case fluid cheap from Rock Auto. Haven't got around to changing it yet but suppose to be the right product.