Drivetrain Tech General discussion of drivetrain for the Ford Ranger.

the changing of the fluids!?

Old Nov 8, 2009
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From: athens, Al
the changing of the fluids!?

OK truck FINALLY hit 60k....wanna do tranny filter and fluid change, which that i know but how many qts do you put back in it and where? (automatic). Also wanna do front and rear diff fluid change. Now this i have never done before. Where do i drain it from (pic) and where do i fill it back up at (pic) and how much and what kinda fluid does it take?
 
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Old Nov 8, 2009
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Well the Tranny will take 8-10 if you are dropping the pan and replacing the filter. Mercron V

The front diff you have two options... suck the fluid out of the fill hole, or drop the whole diff and pop the cover. Personally Id leave it unless you think there is water in there. That fluid should be good for 100K if not longer.

I always run 80-90 Synthetic in the diffs, but it says in the book what you should run. 75-140 maybe?
 
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Old Nov 8, 2009
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From: athens, Al
is the rear diff the same on the fluid life? I've been splashin through water but never had the diff's submerged. Just thought there was a interval when you had to change it. On the rear diff. i can just pop the cover but how do you refill it? and no i dont wanna go through all that on the front diff....hopefully i'll be SAS'n it by then lol!!
 
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Old Nov 8, 2009
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the rear diff is filled through the fill hole on the front side of the axle. its on the drivers side of the pinion... its a plug. takes a 3/8s ratchet drive.

both diffs are 100k miles, unless you submerge them.
 
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Old Nov 8, 2009
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Originally Posted by zabeard
Well the Tranny will take 8-10 if you are dropping the pan and replacing the filter. Mercron V
8-10 just dropping the pan? You sure? I know I've got the 5r44 and Im 2wd but mine only took like 4-5 I think after I dropped the pan.
 
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Old Nov 8, 2009
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yeah i guess your right, total fill is 10.5

id say 5-7 should be more than enough then. depends how long you have that pan off. last time I did it I had the pan off for a week waiting on seal.
 
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Old Nov 8, 2009
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I just did my rear diff. last week. Opened it up and the oil looked like milk, very bad, lots of water. It's a real easy job, just make sure to clean both surfaces really good before you seal it back up. For filling it, the bottle that the gear oil comes in fits up there perfect. Someone else on here had a good idea for checking the level. You just take a allen wrench and stick it in there to see if you are filled up to the fill hole.
 
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Old Nov 8, 2009
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From: athens, Al
Originally Posted by powerranger262
I just did my rear diff. last week. Opened it up and the oil looked like milk, very bad, lots of water. It's a real easy job, just make sure to clean both surfaces really good before you seal it back up. For filling it, the bottle that the gear oil comes in fits up there perfect. Someone else on here had a good idea for checking the level. You just take a allen wrench and stick it in there to see if you are filled up to the fill hole.
how miles on it and did you ever have it submerged ever?
 
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Old Nov 8, 2009
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The rear diff takes 75-90 IIRC. Go to autozone. They will tell you which fluid you need. If you've got a Limited slip you will need friction modifier aswell. Put that in BEFORE you fill it back up with gear oil. The rear axle takes 2.5 quarts I believe. As for the trans. I believe it's only 4 or 5 quarts of Mercon V to fill it back up after a filter change. Again, AZ will have that information.
 
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Old Nov 8, 2009
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I was thinking about this today, wondering if it was time for an diff fluid change... I changed my oil and noticed my front pinion seal? (where the driveshaft goes into the diff) is puking really bad and making a mess down there going to have to get on this before winter!
Another question to add,, Should we use Mercron in our diffs as well or is there something better to be using?
 
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Old Nov 8, 2009
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i just had my front and rear diff fluids changed, if you have gone in any mud whatsoever id highly recommend checking them. I have 35,000miles and the fluid had a lot of water and mud mixed in... I have since extended my diff breathers and put a filters on the end.
 
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Old Nov 8, 2009
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88,000 miles. I never had it submerged, but who knows if the previous owner did. It actually looked like the silicone wasn't sealed right and it was getting in at the top of the diff.
 
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Old Nov 8, 2009
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Originally Posted by effexfour
I was thinking about this today, wondering if it was time for an diff fluid change... I changed my oil and noticed my front pinion seal? (where the driveshaft goes into the diff) is puking really bad and making a mess down there going to have to get on this before winter!
Another question to add,, Should we use Mercron in our diffs as well or is there something better to be using?
Mercon V is trans fluid. Use it in the t-case and transmission. Use a GEAR OIL in the front and rear diffs.
Originally Posted by BLK02
i just had my front and rear diff fluids changed, if you have gone in any mud whatsoever id highly recommend checking them. I have 35,000miles and the fluid had a lot of water and mud mixed in... I have since extended my diff breathers and put a filters on the end.
Extending the breathers is a great idea considering **** can easily get in the front and rear because of where the breathers are located.
 
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Old Nov 8, 2009
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I'd just do the diff, its relatively cheap and easy. I used some royal purple in there and a nice fresh gasket.

and the trans i think I used like 8 or 9 quarts after I did a pan drop and filter swap.

MAKE SURE, when you do the filter that you put the o rings on the filter itself. Otherwise you'll see the o rings after and have to take it apart again.
 
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Old Nov 8, 2009
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Josh.....at 70k, my tcase fluid was brown. I'd do that for the hell of it.


Rear axle on 31spline ranger from totally empty(no fluid in tubes), took a full gallon of fluid.
 
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Old Nov 8, 2009
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FWIW the factory borg-warner tcase juice is black/brown

id def change the axles, trans and tcase, call me if you need to and ill run you through it.

i change every fluid in my truck once a year, regardless of where i drive or how much i drive
 
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Old Nov 9, 2009
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Originally Posted by Toreador4x4
FWIW the factory borg-warner tcase juice is black/brown

id def change the axles, trans and tcase, call me if you need to and ill run you through it.

i change every fluid in my truck once a year, regardless of where i drive or how much i drive
lol and you get it at a discount! i see no reason to change it this often. My current setup I dont even change it and its under water A LOT. Seems wasteful to me to change it that often.
 
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Old Nov 9, 2009
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damn i need to do this in the spring. ive had my diffs submerged quite a few times haha. I should be at 100k in spring so that will make me do it. once i get the cover off of the rear, is there any torque spec for the bolts or just good and tight?
 
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Old Nov 9, 2009
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Originally Posted by Toreador4x4
FWIW the factory borg-warner tcase juice is black/brown
Well now I feel like a noob. Thanks Justie. lol.
 
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Old Nov 9, 2009
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i go to the local auto parts to buy all my fluids, it usually costs me about $100 to change trans, front axle, rear axle, power steering, brake fluid and coolant.
 
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Old Nov 19, 2009
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Originally Posted by effexfour
I was thinking about this today, wondering if it was time for an diff fluid change... I changed my oil and noticed my front pinion seal? (where the driveshaft goes into the diff) is puking really bad and making a mess down there going to have to get on this before winter!
Another question to add,, Should we use Mercron in our diffs as well or is there something better to be using?
Mercon in the diff??!?!?! NONONONO mercon is a transmission fluid (also used as power steering in our trucks)

Use Differential fluid in the diff!
 
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Old Nov 19, 2009
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Originally Posted by 99offroadrngr
damn i need to do this in the spring. ive had my diffs submerged quite a few times haha. I should be at 100k in spring so that will make me do it. once i get the cover off of the rear, is there any torque spec for the bolts or just good and tight?
EVERY fastener on a vehicle has a torque spec!
 
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