maintenance advice needed
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
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maintenance advice needed
About a month ago I got a 93 F-250 5.8L (H) XLT auto 4X4 regular cab long bed with a Western Unimount 7'-6" ProPlow. Truck has 104k miles. Usual rust for a 12 year old Wisconsin truck. I needed a truck as we moved from a .16 acre city lot to a 20.8 acre place in the sticks. Wanted a plow to do the 1000' of driveways and aprons (didn't think my 7hp 24" snow thrower was up to the task). Found the FTE site about 10 days ago and have been reading bunches of threads and am very impressed with the level of expertise available here.
For initial maintenance I changed the oil in the truck. Next I'll change the air, gas and PVC filters and change the front and rear differential fluids. Then crawl around underneath and take care of whatever grease fittings I can find. Also start blasting Kroil on the frozen parking brake cable and parts. I'll also check over the brakes for wear.
Not being familiar with Ford trucks what other maintenance items should I check or do?
Is there any maintenance that should be done, other than checking fluids, on the trans (E4od) or transfer case? What about the front locking hubs?
Any suggestions or advice on this maintenance will be greatly appreciated.
The truck did not come with an owners manual although I have the Chilton and Haynes books. I have the owner's manual and various factory manuals, except the $320 powertrain and emissions manual set, on order from Helm.
Future projects will be to:
-repair the power windows (the usual gear/roller problem)
-get the wiper system working (intermittent function, park function and washer not working, I suspect the module or park switch is the problem)
-get cruise control to work (this is low priority)
-correct a loud exhaust noise (suspect a cracked pre-cat pipe or manifold)
But I'll come back to FTE for advice on these when I get closer to doing them.
For initial maintenance I changed the oil in the truck. Next I'll change the air, gas and PVC filters and change the front and rear differential fluids. Then crawl around underneath and take care of whatever grease fittings I can find. Also start blasting Kroil on the frozen parking brake cable and parts. I'll also check over the brakes for wear.
Not being familiar with Ford trucks what other maintenance items should I check or do?
Is there any maintenance that should be done, other than checking fluids, on the trans (E4od) or transfer case? What about the front locking hubs?
Any suggestions or advice on this maintenance will be greatly appreciated.
The truck did not come with an owners manual although I have the Chilton and Haynes books. I have the owner's manual and various factory manuals, except the $320 powertrain and emissions manual set, on order from Helm.
Future projects will be to:
-repair the power windows (the usual gear/roller problem)
-get the wiper system working (intermittent function, park function and washer not working, I suspect the module or park switch is the problem)
-get cruise control to work (this is low priority)
-correct a loud exhaust noise (suspect a cracked pre-cat pipe or manifold)
But I'll come back to FTE for advice on these when I get closer to doing them.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,005
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From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Sounds like a great truck for what you want to do.
I would suggest changing all fluids (including brake fluid, trans, transfer case, both differentials, coolant - all of them). This will insure no condensation or contaminants in any of the systems. This is a suggestion I got from a friend and has done well by me.
Other than that it seems you have things well in hand.
Dave / Believer45
I would suggest changing all fluids (including brake fluid, trans, transfer case, both differentials, coolant - all of them). This will insure no condensation or contaminants in any of the systems. This is a suggestion I got from a friend and has done well by me.
Other than that it seems you have things well in hand.
Dave / Believer45
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Joined: Oct 2004
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antifreeze & brake
Yeah I forgot to mention the antifreeze. I always use distilled water with it. I don't know if it makes a difference but it can't hurt. I haven't taken a good look at the existing antifreeze to determine if it will need a flush first.
Good point on the brake fluid. Funny, I change the brake fluid on the Harley every year, even though it is DOT5 but never do the cars which are DOT3/4 and thus would probably benifit more from the change. I'll have to look up the fluid type for the Ford RABS.
I'm at work (rotating shift) so I don't have the books handy. Does the E4od trans have a drain plug or is it a "drop the pan" type change? I also presume it has a filter that should be changed.
Good point on the brake fluid. Funny, I change the brake fluid on the Harley every year, even though it is DOT5 but never do the cars which are DOT3/4 and thus would probably benifit more from the change. I'll have to look up the fluid type for the Ford RABS.
I'm at work (rotating shift) so I don't have the books handy. Does the E4od trans have a drain plug or is it a "drop the pan" type change? I also presume it has a filter that should be changed.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 196
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From: pennsylvania
The tranny has a drop the pan and make a mess style, but even so it's well worth doing. Also while you're in there, since you'll be plowing, I highly recomend a shift improver kit from any reputable manufacturer. THEY REALLY do help, and keep the fluid temp down especially going from drive to reverse,& drive to reverse... while plowing.They are quite easy to install and there's no better time to do it than at filter/fluid change. Also, Repack your wheel bearings and everything else with PROLONG grease, sorry if they aren't a sponsor but they are the best lube going. Check all body mount bushings, too if truck was previously used for plowing. Good luck this winter!
