01F250 4R100 HM ATM

[-SyN-]

Gents: My 01 4R100 has right at 170K miles on it...T/C is getting kinda tired... I bought the F250 with 220K miles on her, the transmission was replaced around 170K miles ago with a new transmission from Ford... Since I bought the truck I added a remote spin-on trans filter kit, switched to Amsoil Torque Drive and have been changing the fluid every 30K miles...

I'm tired of paying the continuing high price for the Amsoil...I'm fixing to change the fluid... Since the 4R100 is supposed to handle Mercon ATF... I have found 3 accessible ATFs

1. Valvoline Maxlife Dex/Merc
2. Valvoline Mercon V
3. Castrol Mercon V

My Questions-->Is the Maxlife a more robust fluid then the Mercon V?

Which ATF would better suit my needs?

I do tow alot, so I will probably change my OCI to 25K or 20K miles, since I will be dropping to a less quality ATF...

 

[Gene K]

Originally Posted By: -SyN-
Gents: My 01 4R100 has right at 170K miles on it...T/C is getting kinda tired... I bought the F250 with 220K miles on her, the transmission was replaced around 170K miles ago with a new transmission from Ford... Since I bought the truck I added a remote spin-on trans filter kit, switched to Amsoil Torque Drive and have been changing the fluid every 30K miles...

I'm tired of paying the continuing high price for the Amsoil...I'm fixing to change the fluid... Since the 4R100 is supposed to handle Mercon ATF... I have found 3 accessible ATFs

1. Valvoline Maxlife Dex/Merc
2. Valvoline Mercon V
3. Castrol Mercon V

My Questions-->Is the Maxlife a more robust fluid then the Mercon V?

Which ATF would better suit my needs?

I do tow alot, so I will probably change my OCI to 25K or 20K miles, since I will be dropping to a less quality ATF...


Mercon V is Semi-Synthetic. The Mercon V will withstand higher heat, last longer and reduce shuddering compard to the regular Merc/Dex.

Im not sure about the Maxlife but if isnt sold as a V replacement I doubt it will last as long although it might help seal up any leaks.

 

[-SyN-]

After doing some reading... I don't even think the Maxlife Dex/Merc is a replacement for just Mercon... {It says Mercon LV}...

Looks like the Mercon V is my next choice...

Thanks Gene for your advice.

 

[DrDusty86]

IN THE 4R100 I would look for Mobil 1 ATF and fluid* filter changes every 25k. The 4R100 life expectancy is VERY service dependent. Also get a MASSIVE cooler on the truck... DO NOT!!!! use SP/LV fluids.use ONLY mercon V..

 

[Pablo]

I dunno, I vote for sticking with Amsoil and changing every 40K. I doubt the ATF is even spent at 40K, especially with the remote filter.

 

[-SyN-]

DrDusty: I have found Mobil 1 ATF @ AZ for $9.59qt...{No Gallons}which I'm sure would be at least $50 a gal--->Ouch!!!!

Also I am looking into a 6.0L cooler...These rascals have jumped up in price over the last few yrs...now you have to really do alot of looking too find them below $230...

Yes, I will only use Mercon V or equal...

Pablo: I agree 100%!! I probably should stick with the Amsoil...This fill has 32K miles on it... With that said this fill has never seen over 210F-even during heavy towing...

In this day and time you all know times are tough...The wife and I both have good incomes, but with 2 kids getting close to college, we are trying to save all we can... I find myself as a father having a hard time justifying that type of spending on ATF fluid... I keep asking myself-->{Is it that necessary to use a $45 to $50 a gallon ATF?} I guess I find myself feeling guilty...For wanting to spend the extra $ for a premium ATF, instead of a lower quality ATF and saving the other $ for the kids future...

The Torque Drive is still in service, so I might push it to 40K-45K, then make a choice... A used oil analysis could be the answer here...

Again-> It will be a Mercon V or Equal...

Thanks for your replies...

 

[rufushusky]

I found a 31 row 6.0 cooler on this site for $100...

http://car-part.com/index.htm

If you can't find a 6.0 cooler than a V-10 or Long Tru-cool should serve you well too.


I myself did a cost benefit analysis of high priced ATFs and determined that I am cooler-line flushing my ATF every 30k so something like Walmart or Napa Dex/Merc is fine for me, I prefer the less friction modified fluid vs. the Merc V.