So im calling around to see how much it would be to do an oil change, replace oil pan gasket, rear differential fluid change. so far one place said 890 dollars why is it soo much? if its going to be that much i would go get all the tools required to do all of it and do it myself. Thats the only thing keeping me from doing it myself, i dont have all the tools. i have a 95 f150 eb 5.0 2wd. is the oil pan gasket really hard to change out? and for the differential it should be easy right?

 

All you need is a socket set and a few wrenches. If you are lucky you will be able to turn off the oil filter with your hands. If not, drive a screw driver through it and turn it off, if you do not want to get a oil filter wrench. The only problem with the oil pan may be that the suspension or a crossmember getting in the way. Draining the differential is easy but you might have to get creative to get the fluid in. I say find another shop or two. Right now it would be awful cold under the truck unless you can get it inside.

 

buy yourself a set of tools, do it yourself and you will still have 600 to 700 bucks left in your pocket.

 

A 3/8"s ratchet and corresponding socket set of good quality ranging from 3/8"-3/4", a screw driver, maybe a gasket scraper, oil filter, oil, oil catch pan, gear oil and the seal itself is still far less than 900 bucks. If you do not have a floor jack, you will want to have one to get the motor up off the motor mounts for clearance. You will still be well under 300 and be prepared for tackling other jobs. Clint Eastwood in Gran Torino explained it best that a Man acquires tools over time, and you will have the right tool for a job later if not you aquire it couple pieces at a time. It doesnt take the entire mechanic's tool chest to replace a spark plug.

Easiest way to re fill the rear diff is to carefully remove the VSS from the top of the diff and pour the gear oil in to that hole. Though you may want a +50F day before tackling the rear end. The heavy gear oil can be a long time filling, even if you are filling from a squeeze bottle, at close to freezing temps.

Then afterwards, take your used oil to either the autoparts store or to the local jiffylube and deposit it with them for free...

I can see changing the engine oil in the cold, but why are you insisting on changing the oil pan gasket, and rear end oil on a cold mid-winter's day? Both are great early summer projects...

 

I think there is a plug on the pumpkin so im good on that part, but definitely going to buy tools for this job there is no way im paying that much for simple jobs. I just never thought it would be that expensive

 

ALXSNMR,
Thanks for the detail instruction! The reason why im doing all of this now is because im in the Marines and my summer is basically booked. Ill be going to Sgt's Course from june-august and will be taking some vacation time in april. Plus my truck has 155000 miles on it, oil is leaking all around the oil pan, and i dont think the rear differential has ever been serviced. Plus i live in Southern California so the weather has been really nice lately.

 

ford oil pans are bad for leaking,,check it for pinholes, you may need a new one with gasket