Advice / tips on fluid change.
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Eastern Ontario, Canada
Advice / tips on fluid change.
Well, It's almost time for another oil change in my 2001 Ranger. At this point I would like to change all fluids (oil, transmission, axle's, t-case and rad). How much time will I need to do everything. I have access to all the tools needed and a heated shop to work in. And of course does anyone have any tricks, tips or experience with this maintenance.
My truck is a 2001, 4.0SOHC, 5R55E, 4X4. It was bought new in February of 2001.
Oil and rad are not an issue. I have done that more than once. It's really the tranny, t-case and axle's I'm unsure of.
Thanks,
Drew
My truck is a 2001, 4.0SOHC, 5R55E, 4X4. It was bought new in February of 2001.
Oil and rad are not an issue. I have done that more than once. It's really the tranny, t-case and axle's I'm unsure of.
Thanks,
Drew
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,208
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The tranny I believe is a 5spd It will have a drain plug and it takes a little better than three qts of of Mercon. no issue there simple straight forward biggest issue is how to pump 3 qts in the tranny. Transfer case same way pull drain plug then refill with proper fluid same issue of how to get new fluid in. Differentials pull the covers let drain reseal covers with RTV then refill with proper fluids. You should be able to do this in 4 - 6 hrs
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 748
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From: North US Border, Canada
Set the truck level. Transfer case, remove filler plug then drain plug. Allow to drain then put back drain plug, and fill until oil starts running out the filler plug hole. Usually use auto fluid for filling Mercon/DexronIII
Differentials, you need to siphon out the oil, through the filler plug, or remove the covers and reseal with RTV. Then add fluid to the front diff. If the rear is limited slip, you need to add in a anti-friction oil with the regular oil, talk to a supplier for appropriate amounts of anti-friction oil to add. Napa. Ford etc... any of these are good places to ask for the right fluids to use. Usually use 80 or 90 weight gear oil for the diffs.
Transmission, remove filler and drain plugs, put the drain plug back on. Now here's the controversy. A lot say to fill with auto Tranny oil, the problem with that is auto tranny oil is quite lightweight, and bearings tend to go. A lot of tranny shops now recommend using engine oil, 5W30. If you go that way I recommend 10W30.. I'm using 10W30 synthetic, it's great, have had no problems with it, For 2 years now, it shifts better than before and is as quiet as a brand new tranny. Your choice of what oil to use in your tranny is entirely up to you though.
Hope this helps.
Madmike33
Differentials, you need to siphon out the oil, through the filler plug, or remove the covers and reseal with RTV. Then add fluid to the front diff. If the rear is limited slip, you need to add in a anti-friction oil with the regular oil, talk to a supplier for appropriate amounts of anti-friction oil to add. Napa. Ford etc... any of these are good places to ask for the right fluids to use. Usually use 80 or 90 weight gear oil for the diffs.
Transmission, remove filler and drain plugs, put the drain plug back on. Now here's the controversy. A lot say to fill with auto Tranny oil, the problem with that is auto tranny oil is quite lightweight, and bearings tend to go. A lot of tranny shops now recommend using engine oil, 5W30. If you go that way I recommend 10W30.. I'm using 10W30 synthetic, it's great, have had no problems with it, For 2 years now, it shifts better than before and is as quiet as a brand new tranny. Your choice of what oil to use in your tranny is entirely up to you though.
Hope this helps.
Madmike33
Last edited by Madmike33; Feb 23, 2006 at 11:35 AM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
Likes: 16
From: Connecticut
Here's something to help out with the tranny fluid change: 4R/5R55E Tranny Fluid & Filter Change.
Regarding the differentials, instead of taking off the covers you can pick up one of those siphon pumps that you see at all the parts stores and use it to pump the fluid out through the fill hole.
The transfer case takes regular Mercon fluid. The differentials take gear oil (check your owners manual for specs). Since the diffs and TC don't get changed often, you might consider using synthetic or partial synthetic fluids.
Don't forget to add a couple ounces of friction modifier to the rear diff if it's a limited slip.
Regarding the differentials, instead of taking off the covers you can pick up one of those siphon pumps that you see at all the parts stores and use it to pump the fluid out through the fill hole.
The transfer case takes regular Mercon fluid. The differentials take gear oil (check your owners manual for specs). Since the diffs and TC don't get changed often, you might consider using synthetic or partial synthetic fluids.
Don't forget to add a couple ounces of friction modifier to the rear diff if it's a limited slip.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
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Originally Posted by wtroger
The tranny I believe is a 5spd It will have a drain plug and it takes a little better than three qts of of Mercon. no issue there simple straight forward biggest issue is how to pump 3 qts in the tranny. Transfer case same way pull drain plug then refill with proper fluid same issue of how to get new fluid in. Differentials pull the covers let drain reseal covers with RTV then refill with proper fluids. You should be able to do this in 4 - 6 hrs
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 748
Likes: 0
From: North US Border, Canada
Originally Posted by Noble Lumpkin
I never saw an AT with a drain plug. You should use the newer Mercon V for fluid.
Madmike33
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Groves, TX
Now here's a thought... If you drop the pan and only replace what tranny oil you took out, then you are only changing 1/2 of the fluid because there is still fluid in the torque converter and the tranny lines and the tranmission cooler if you have one.
I read a post somewhere which gives the proper way to actually flush the entire system. I'll see if I can't find it and post.
I read a post somewhere which gives the proper way to actually flush the entire system. I'll see if I can't find it and post.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,208
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Sine the late 60's a lot (not all Ford )manuals used atf fluid. It is an old racers trick to use 10w-30 instead of 80-90w fluid especially when qualifying. And as a side note 80-90w you buy today is really only a 40w oil by true viscosity it just has the lubricating ability of 90w gear oil. and the synthetics are lighter still. The only issue with using 10w-30 motor oil is keeping it from foaming. I do know that using 80-90w oil in one designed for ATF will make them hard (if not impossible) to shift in cold weather. And yes Ford manuals suffer from gear roll over noise because of the lighter fluids and Ford does recommend changing the fuild at 60,000 miles. At least that is what my Ranger manual required.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 748
Likes: 0
From: North US Border, Canada
Originally Posted by wtroger
Sine the late 60's a lot (not all Ford )manuals used atf fluid. It is an old racers trick to use 10w-30 instead of 80-90w fluid especially when qualifying. And as a side note 80-90w you buy today is really only a 40w oil by true viscosity it just has the lubricating ability of 90w gear oil. and the synthetics are lighter still. The only issue with using 10w-30 motor oil is keeping it from foaming. I do know that using 80-90w oil in one designed for ATF will make them hard (if not impossible) to shift in cold weather. And yes Ford manuals suffer from gear roll over noise because of the lighter fluids and Ford does recommend changing the fuild at 60,000 miles. At least that is what my Ranger manual required.
Madmike33