Transfer case fluid
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 155
From: Sedalia, CO
I'm bumping this thread, as I'm about to drain and fill my T-case, too. The discontinued XL-12 has apparently been replaced by this stuff:
Valvoline Transfer Case Fluid 1 Quart (autozone.com)
Do any of you have any experience with it?
Mark
Valvoline Transfer Case Fluid 1 Quart (autozone.com)
Do any of you have any experience with it?
Mark
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 6,851
Likes: 2,328
From: WV
Seems like @Y2KW57 ”recently” gave a very good breakdown for this. I’m hoping he remembers where it might be or at leas a decent way to search for it. Maybe he can provide a copy/paste from his previous post or a link to that thread.
edit: found it.
Method: went to advanced search, then searched for XL-12 and user Y2KW57.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post20771128
and here’s an old one.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post14625749
Seems this only gets more confusing as time goes on.
edit: found it.
Method: went to advanced search, then searched for XL-12 and user Y2KW57.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post20771128
and here’s an old one.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post14625749
Seems this only gets more confusing as time goes on.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
Likes: 1,111
From: Rio Rico, AZ.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 155
From: Sedalia, CO
This is confusing. The Redline stuff looks to have better viscosity specs than the Valvoline, but it's ATF, for use in transmissions, so one would expect that. Given that the Valvoline claims to be appropriate for where the no longer available XL-12 was specified, I'm going to go ahead with it. My only goal is to keep the case from grenading itself, which these tend to do. Unfortunately, none of these products say "prevents self destruction" on the label.
Mark
Mark
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 13,086
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From: Henderson, NV
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Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2014
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From: Douglassville, PA
I find this issue to be very...um...errr...interesting. Most of the transfer cases in this country seem to be made by the same outfit in Syracuse, NY. I don't remember their name but they all have that round, red ID tag affixed to them. My '91 Jimmy and my '99 F-250 both have one in them and I believe that Dodge uses them too. I expect that they are all about the same inside in terms of engineering and build, with differences in how they mount and electric vs manual. But each auto manufacturer has their own 'special' oil to be used. Combine that with how much the unit is actually used and I'm not too picky about what I put in there.
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 13,086
Likes: 4,697
From: Henderson, NV
I find this issue to be very...um...errr...interesting. Most of the transfer cases in this country seem to be made by the same outfit in Syracuse, NY. I don't remember their name but they all have that round, red ID tag affixed to them. My '91 Jimmy and my '99 F-250 both have one in them and I believe that Dodge uses them too. I expect that they are all about the same inside in terms of engineering and build, with differences in how they mount and electric vs manual. But each auto manufacturer has their own 'special' oil to be used. Combine that with how much the unit is actually used and I'm not too picky about what I put in there.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 155
From: Sedalia, CO
Super Moderator
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,273
Likes: 6,040
Ford continues to neglect to provide current guidance on transfer case fluid specifications after discontinuing their Motorcraft XL-12 product, Transfer Case Fluid, and retiring the original Mercon specification.
Ford further compounds their neglect by allowing marketing remnants of no longer produced product to remain on Ford and Motorcraft official websites without notation as to current availability.
Examples:
https://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubrican...20case%20fluid
https://www.motorcraft.com/us/en_us/...se-fluids.html
Ford further compounds their neglect by allowing marketing remnants of no longer produced product to remain on Ford and Motorcraft official websites without notation as to current availability.
Examples:
https://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubrican...20case%20fluid
https://www.motorcraft.com/us/en_us/...se-fluids.html
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 6,851
Likes: 2,328
From: WV
I really feel like this is just lubrication for the chain/gears and shouldn’t be so doggone complicated. It’s not like the transmission which needs specific friction modifiers to correctly engage clutch/brake packs. But most of us like to use “the right stuff” for the job.
Ford, why make it so hard to get an idea of a decent lubricant to use?!?
Guess if I ever feel the need to change it I’ll probably use the same Mobil1 that’s in my 4R100.
Ford, why make it so hard to get an idea of a decent lubricant to use?!?
Guess if I ever feel the need to change it I’ll probably use the same Mobil1 that’s in my 4R100.
