I just hit 60,000 miles yesterday :( I am putting way to many miles on the ol' girl! Anyhow, I dont really like for shops to touch my truck and dont want to get raped by the dealership. So I think me and Dustin (ranger_1999) is going to change/refill all the fluids in the truck. All I ever change is the oil and check washer fluid and check tranny fluid.

So far I understand the following from owner's manual and talking with Dustin

Transmission
Check and if fluid if needed, add Mercon ATF V through the dipstick at operating temp.

Radiator

Not real sure on this one. Do I just fill or do I replace? I know fiance's dad always drains 1 gallon and refills with 50/50 solution. I know I need to fill my reservoir to cold fill line. Someone walk me through the steps of how I should go about checking and adding/refilling radiator. I know you have to end up with 50/50.

T-Case

Check and fill if needed. Fill with Mercon ATF fluid until fluid is at bottom of opening. Not sure what brand to get.

Diffs

Dont really need checking unless they have been submerged and they have not. I will check them anyways. And if they do need filling, use 80W-90 diff lubricant

These are all the fluids that i'm really going to check. I know my brak fluid and power steering fluid are fine. I will look at them just to make sure though. I dont think I am forgetting anything. Ya'll know I'm not rough on my truck and don't wheel alot. The main things im concerned about because I dont really know how to do is the radiator.

Basically as you can tell, I just want to check all fluids and top off if needed. In not really draining anything (unless you think I need to). someone chime in to make sure i have ll this right

 

well I'll chime in...First draining the tcase is simple. i got the pump you need for that. Just buy a gallon or Merc from autozone or whatever.

Second, you can buy a kit at auto store that drains the radiator, i think it gets out the coolent still in the thermostat and lines....Its basically a drain and fill job.

Thats about it, unless you want to drop the trans pan and change that fluid..

 

Thanks Dustin, nah, i dont think i need to replace tranny fluid, just top off if it needs it. I'l let you knw what day we can meet up to do all this!

 

On the rad coolant , check which color coolant is in there now. The premium gold is good for 100,000.

 

how do I check that? it has whatever the Ford Dealership put in there

 

Don't suck it out. Take off the big black counterbalance (four bolts) and you will see the drain plug.

Always check that you can get the fill plugs out before draining!

 

I thought transmission fluid was supposed to be replaced every 30K? Given that you now have 60K, I would think its time for a second flush?

 

Uhh... dip a white cloth or paper towel in the radiator and see what color it turns ?

 

Or if you're not retarded you can look at whats in the overflow lol

 

 

I'm retarded on tax day every year. So I doos things differnt

 

i know its a goldish yellow just like any antirfreeze

already knew that, looks like antifreeze. I meant how can you tell the difference between say off the shelf anitfreeze and the Motorcraft Premium Gold. I know it has the be the Motorcraft brand because i have not touched it other than add a little bit here and here in the overflow and its a Medium Gold color. And it was serviced before it was sold to me.

 

Anti freeze comes in different colors , green , red , orange , gold.
You have the premium Gold that's good for 100K.


edit to add
Do NOT mix different kinds of antifreeze . They do not play well with each other.You could end up with a gelled mess that won't circulate through the system.

 

Thanks, did not know! Like I said, all I ever change is my oil, filter, and air filter. never really had to do any of this. My 94' Ranger's cooling system was pretty much shot before i had it (corroded to mud, didnt matter how much i flushed it) So right now, my reservoir is empty, i just need to go to dealership and buy the Premium Gold and refill then? When I refill, just fill halfwayup to the full line with antifreeze and the rest of the way up to the full line with water to achieve the 50/50?

 

Pre-mix it 50/50 before you put it in and go by the hot-cold marks on the side of the res.

 

thanks Ken will do