M50D . . . I know, I now
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,344
Likes: 12
From: Sioux Falls SD
Back in the sixties Ford recomended 50 weight motor oil in the three speed transmissions. They explecidly said no ep additives. This is from the shop manual for my 63 econoline. I am still using atf in my 5speed though changing once a year, that amounts to 10,000-15,000 miles.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
Likes: 4
From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
I thought there was a ZF 5 speed that would bolt right in in place of the M5OD, at least it was offered in heavier duty pickups and some 4x4s. And I believe it came in either close ratio or wide ratio. Not sure if it had a creeper though.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 620
Likes: 1
From: Toronto, ON
WTF? I just got my truck that has a M5OD. 68,000 miles, shifts great so far 
I won't be doing towing, or racing, so I'm pretty happy with it.
What is wrong with the MERCON lubricant that is specified to be run in it?
I won't be doing towing, or racing, so I'm pretty happy with it.What is wrong with the MERCON lubricant that is specified to be run in it?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 2
From: central ohio
dont know that there is anything wrong with it. i only went with the motor oil because maybe the rebuilder of my trans knows something i dont. my first m5od went 203,000 miles with no troubles and only one oil change at 145,000. this trans i had that just failed was only at 80,000. i had changed the oil in it at 65,000 shortly after i got it. it was low on oil at the time, may have already had some damage. if it wasnt my daily driver and i would have had more time, i might have seen about a differnt trans, maybe even a slushbox. have only put about 1,000 miles on my rebuilt unit, going to drain it at 3,000 and see what it looks like and put synthetic back in.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
Roushians, I have found in my experience that the M50D trannies are very hit and miss. I used to drive one around the farm when I was in high school, that as far as I know we never changed the fluid in it, shifted smooth as silk, and never had a lick of trouble with it. On the other hand, my cousin had to replace 3 in her truck before she finally got rid of it. Mine does not like to shift smoothly at all. And I plan to tow with it. More than Ford says I should. I just refuse to have automatic, and between the $1000 I saved by getting the manual, and the increased maintenance costs of the automatic that I don't have to pay, I feel that if I blow this tranny up, I can afford to put a tranny in the truck that Ford should have put there in the first place.
I did look at Chevy's, but didn't want to deal with a rattle trap truck, and looked at Dodges, but did not want a gas hog. So . . .. I'll just have to deal with the tranny in the Ford. Besides, I could not find a Chevy or a Dodge for sale with a manual tranny locally.
I did look at Chevy's, but didn't want to deal with a rattle trap truck, and looked at Dodges, but did not want a gas hog. So . . .. I'll just have to deal with the tranny in the Ford. Besides, I could not find a Chevy or a Dodge for sale with a manual tranny locally.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
From: "Garden State"
I previously owned a 1989 F-150 with the Mazda 5 speed manual tranny. Other than the repeat clutch problem with the the slave cylinder the tranny shifted fine with the Mercon ATF. MY 2002 F-150 with the same tranny shifted like ***** with the factory Mercon. I used Schaeffer's #204S, a synthetic blend Mercon ATF and it helped a lot but I still I'm not "thrilled" with the shifting quality. I'm about to try another tranny fluid, once it stops snowing so I can put it in 
. This a more viscous synchromesh fluid than RP's. It's a total true synthetic GL4 gear fluid that has the EP and AW additives that ATF does not have. And no! I'm selling anything. Just sharing my experiences. In fact TallPaul knows the supplier of this tranny fluid. We both are all members of www.bobistheoilguy.com from where this originates from. After I install the tranny fluid I'll advise you as to how it works for me.
Whimsey
. This a more viscous synchromesh fluid than RP's. It's a total true synthetic GL4 gear fluid that has the EP and AW additives that ATF does not have. And no! I'm selling anything. Just sharing my experiences. In fact TallPaul knows the supplier of this tranny fluid. We both are all members of www.bobistheoilguy.com from where this originates from. After I install the tranny fluid I'll advise you as to how it works for me. Whimsey
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 620
Likes: 1
From: Toronto, ON
Originally Posted by lasmacgod
I feel that if I blow this tranny up, I can afford to put a tranny in the truck that Ford should have put there in the first place.
I suppose they should have given the option of either a M5OD or a ZF 5 at purchase for whatever you were going to use the truck for: M5OD for daily driving/light towing, and ZF 5 for heavy towing and stuff.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 447
Likes: 0
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Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by TallPaul
But now knowing the thickness of ATF (about 20 wt) I would be more inclined, if I wanted to run motor oil, to go with something thinner than 10w40.
I read the side of Redline D4 ATF and its rated at 70W80
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by TallPaul
The Redline D4 ATF is 7.5 cSt at 100C, whereas their "Lightweight" gear lube, a 75w80, is 10.5 cSt at 100C, similar to their MTL (Manual Tranny Lube).
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
Likes: 4
From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
The MTL is like a 30 weight motor oil whereas the D4 is like a 20 weight. This chart shows the weird differences between gear oil and motor oil classifications: Viscosity Chart You have to scroll down and click at the end of the third paragraph. The system thinks this link is to a non-sponsor company--which it is, but they aren't selling anything; it's just another website that has the chart.
Last edited by TallPaul; Mar 2, 2005 at 11:08 AM.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 751
Likes: 30
From: North Carolina
I asked this on another thread, so I'll ask here also. For a manual only of course, specifically the m50d ('02f-150 4.2). What about motorcycle oil? It must also lube gears in the transmission, as well as the engine. You can get it in full synthetic, and a variety of weights.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
From: "Garden State"
This past Saturday I was able to install the new tranny fluid I spoke about in the above post. It's slightly thicker than ATF, 9.5 cST vs 7-7.5 cST for ATF. It's totally synthetic. Made from PAO(GroupIV) and Ester's(GroupV). Plus it has EP and AW additves that ATF doesn't have and it's GL4 rated. It was in the low to mid 30's when I drove for about 50 miles after installing it. It shifted fine in those temps. Later this week I'll be able to see how it shifts when the temps are in the teens. With the ATF, even the part synthetic ATF, the shifting felt and sounded like the tranny was a bucket of loose bolts. It now has a more firm/direct and quieter shifting feel and sound. MUCH improved over the ATF 
! If I may mention the fluid, it's SynchroGlide by Specialty Formulations. If you want to learn more you can go to www.bobistheoilguy.com . You can get information about them from the home page. So far I like what feel and hear 
. We'll see how it handles the real cold morning temps. I'll let you know.
Whimsey
! If I may mention the fluid, it's SynchroGlide by Specialty Formulations. If you want to learn more you can go to www.bobistheoilguy.com . You can get information about them from the home page. So far I like what feel and hear . We'll see how it handles the real cold morning temps. I'll let you know.Whimsey