I seem to have misplaced my service manual and need some help. I am about to take my truck on a very long family vacation and I would like to change all of my fluids but I dont know the specs and capacities off-hand. Can someone help?

Trans
Rear axle
Front axle
Transfer case
Coolant

Thanks

 

Trans
Changing ATF Fluid in a E4OD and 4R100 transmission .: Articles

Rear axle
If it hasn't been submerged in water for any extended period of time and you don't have any rear-end vibrations, I'd leave it alone. However, if you insist the first thing is determining what axle you have. If its the 9.75", I'd first make sure you can get the refill hole open before starting. You will need to make a new gasket after popping the cover off and you will also need the additive for the limited slip clutches.

Here's some references:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/4...ential-qs.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/3...ce-needed.html

If you have the 8.8", I don't know anything on that axle.

Front axle
The front axle is the 8.8" and I'm not sure if that takes the additive or not. However, there should be a replaceable gasket for the front making that job a bit easier. Also make sure you can get the refill plug open before beginning. If it hasn't been submerged, or if its not leaking, I wouldn't touch it.

Transfer case
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...ml#post7908077

Coolant
Easy enough job. Read my posts below for tips or do a search. Basically, start draining the radiator (drain on bottom side of radiator, passenger side - get it from underneath), refill with water, and keep flushing (opening the drain plug) until nothing but clear water comes out. Then drain the water out. Once done, refill with 50/50 mix of coolant concentrate and distilled water until full.

If the trip is long enough, I'd actually recommend changing the radiator hoses and thermostat while flushing the coolant out.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...ge-to-elc.html

Maybe some other preventative things:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...05.4L%20Triton

How to clean the MAF (Mass Airflow Sensor) in a Ford F150

Question:
When was the last time you had a tune up? I'd be more inclined to invest money there if its been a long time since you've put in new coil packs and plugs.

Any other questions, ask away.

 

Your owner's manual has all of the capacities in it. If you don't have one, you can download one here: https://www.fleet.ford.com/maintenan...ls/default.asp

 

I have the 9.75 axle. I have had to top it off due to the cover leaking so the plug has been open. The trip will be over 3500 miles (NY to Key Largo and back with some side trips).My truck right now has 98k on it. I was thinking about doing the hoses and thermostat as well. As far as the plugs go, I have new plugs and coils sitting in my tool box right now but I really dont feel like fighting with them at this point.

 

Ahh, then changing the rear fluid makes sense in your case.

If you do change the hoses be sure to coast the inside of the hoses with vaseline to help ease with installation (this is a tip from Alloro here on the forum and its a good one). This will be especially true with the lower radiator hose. There is a ring around the return where you slip the hose on and it's hard to get the hose over it. (I don't know if you can remove this ring as there was something about it that made me leave it on...I think I had to actually cut the lower hose off). Anyhow I had a friend help me muscle it back on and then I used an adjustable hose clamp and tightened it up. No problems with leaks.

When you do the thermostat I'd install a new o-ring in the housing while your at it. Make sure you put towels around housing so coolant doesn't run down in the plug wells.

If you don't mind me prying, how much longer until you leave on your trip? At 98k miles on original plugs and coils (I'm assuming?), that's your call on changing them or not. If it were me and I knew I was going on that long of a trip I'd change them out (my honest opinion). Yes, it's a pain to do the job but if a coil pack would crap out on you on the road I'd hate the added frustration. In all, the job would add an additional 3-5 hours to your labor if you haven't done it before.

 

The trip is a few weeks away but I will be somewhat busy until then. I am not the original owner and bought the truck with 69k on it, so Im not sure if the plugs are original.Dont get me wrong, I want to change them I just dont want the hassle or worse, stripping a plug hole

 

^ I just did the plugs on my 98... I think you'll be fine, as long as you're careful, I'm sure you will not strip any threads,

 

More than likely those plugs are original - I'm willing to bet on that since the Ford recommended interval is 100k. I wouldn't worry too much about stripping the plugs. If you take your time and spray the plug wells down with penetrating oil and let them sit overnight, you will be good to go.

And don't worry - we're all busy. I don't even want to begin typing how many things I want to do on my Expy

If you think you want to do the plugs, send me a message or start a thread. I have plenty of photos from when I did the job and could help you out.

 

Will do. Thank you