Well I bought my truck about a year ago but was too busy to do much more than oil fuel changes but now that I'm unemployed
I have some time to mess with it so I decided to do a complete fluid change (see picture) but I have a few questions.
I was looking at the auto transmission filter and it looks pretty cheap like its just a plastic housing with a wool mat inside (see picture) will this be good or is this a cheap one?

My other question is how important is the coolant flush and fill? What's in the truck looks pretty good but since I have only owned her for the last 10K miles who knows what went on before I had her.

Also here is what I'm planning on changing right now transmission, front and rear differential, transfer case, and possibly coolant.
Is there any other things that I'm not thinking of I could do to help extend the life of the truck and prevent breakdowns?

Thanks for the help

Patrick


Edit: i came up with another question. In the owners manual it says mercon for the transfer case but i have seen some stuff on the internet saying mercon V + an additive for the transfer case. i'm leaning towards just mercon because that's what's in the manuel

 

Coolant filter system and external tranny filter dieselsite. Com

 

Take a look at this....
POWERSTROKEHELP.COM - The Information Source for Ford Power Stroke Diesel Owners

 

i have been watching those videos and thats where i heard the mercon V synthetic but my owners manual says just mercon. i guess if im changing it anyways i could switch over to synthetic mercon V

 

Stay away from those vids for anything other that seeing into some of the things he takes apart. Most of the stuff he puts out is pushing the truth at best, out right wrong info at worst. Be VERY careful... If you have any questions about anything, ask here.

I've been running Syn Mercon V in my truck for over a year in the form of Mobil1 Full Syn ATF. Very good stuff, and I have used it in other vehicles with good success. No additives! The only thing you need an additive for is the diff. When you change the fluid, put in about 2 oz., and only add more if you have chattering. The idea is to add enough friction modifier so the clutches slip when the need to, but grip when you need traction. If you add too much, they'll slip and you'll have essentially an open diff.

Also, on the new trans filter: I have a 2WD, and the parts store sold me one with a fairly short pickup foot. Apparently, my truck needed the 4WD version. The 2WD is less than an inch long, the 4WD version is about 2" long. Can't tell from the pic -- which one do you have?

Last tip -- I've been told that guys have had trouble with Motorcraft oil. Something to do with foaming problems. I was VERY tempted to try it myself, but somebody with a lot of oil knowledge I trust told me about it. I stick with Rotella for now, Schaeffer Oil if I could find it locally.

Again, if you have any questions, ask away here... MUCH better than those goofy vids.

 

The additive for the differential is only for the limited slip models. What color is the coolant in your truck? If you don't want to change it, you can test it to see what kind of shape it's in. If you have green coolant, you will need to test this to see if it's time to add any SCA to prevent cavitation in your block. SCA is VERY IMPORTANT. Don't put this test off.

I'd also recommend flushing the powersteering fluid (it uses ATF fluid) Power Steering Fluid Flushing Procedure For F250 Superduty Truck

I don't remember all the details on the Mercon thing, but from what I remember, the fluid specified in our manuals is no longer made. The stuff available now is acceptable for our trucks.

 

He has an '01, and I'm pretty sure the gold coolant didn't show up until '02, so I'm sure he has the green stuff, Chris. But good point -- green coolant needs checked every other oil change or so and additive put in if the SCAs get low...

 

Yes, the '01 has the green coolent. Thats what I had in mine, now I have the red.

 

If you have a Limited Slip rear diff try Valvoline Syn Power (75-140) It has friction modifier in it and worked just fine for me. The LS works fine and doesn't chatter.

Edit: I also used Valvoline Merco V for tranny, X-case and PS. Brake system flush wasn't mentioned, it's on my to do list.

 

I know the gold didn't show up until 02, but since there's a good possibility the fluid might have been changed once already, I figured it was good to ask. I know a couple of guys with 01's that are running the red stuff now.

 

I changed my rear diff fluid yesterday. I used Mobil 1 synthetic LS 75-90. If you have a dana 80, that's what I would use. 8.99 a quart. Book says 4 quarts, but it's closer to 5.

 

The Dana-80 requires 75W-140. Also, Ford now requires 75W-140 in the front differential.

 

Acording to my owners manual, page 273 it takes 75w-90. and the ford 10.5 takes 75w-140.

 

I understand, but Ford changed it. Read what this says. click here

EDIT: Call Ford and they will tell you about the front end oil. I did and that is how I know.

 

Yep that guy is pretty annoying, the filter I got has about a 2" long spout on it and I have a 4wd so that should work.

Yep I have green, how do you test the coolant? (I guess I could search for that answer).
As you can see I bought mobil1 for the front but I may have screwed up it says LS on the bottle so im assuming that stands for limited slip, will this cause problems if I put it in the front differential?
I also bought the friction modifier before I got the synthetic valvoline with the friction modifier in it.

I guess im going to go exchange the mercon for the mercon V tomorrow. How many qts does the PS take?

How can I tell if I have a dana 80? I want to make sure I don’t screw anything up.

Thanks for all the help you guys are awesome!