97 Ranger 4.0L, 5 speed, need suggestions

[Pablo]

You are right on by fixing the mechanical issues first.

You could do the flush thing if the current fluid looks ugly. I don't like ATF in MT's. I think D4 is an OK fluid, but I really think MTF will shift better, and it will give you better gear life. You can use the MTF or ATF in the transfer case.

Why do you think D4 is the best? Even the Amsoil ATF has a slightly higher viscosity and the same gear protection.

As for the diffs SVG would be my choice.

 

[kendogg441]

I really thought you were not supposed to use something thicker like MTF in a trans that calls for ATF? As far as the diff fluid goes, for that price, I'll stick with the Redline. Proven with many BMW enthusiests on our forum www.mye28.com.

 

[Pablo]

Ken - MTF (9.6/47.1) is slightly thicker than ATF (7.5/37.4) but the only thing you will notice is smoother shifts. Of course you wouldn't want a full 75W-90 EP gear oil (16.6/115) in there but it's been fairly common practice in many makes to use a light MT oil in MT's calling for ATF.

I didn't see anything technical proving Redline's superiority with that link.

 

[kendogg441]

OK, I have to put a clutch in this truck next weekend, I'm actually just buying the truck now, should have it sometime this week. 4x4, has 106k on it. While the trans has to come out anyways, I want to drain adn fill the trans, along with both diff's. The trans reqires ATF, as does the transfer case. The diff's require 75W-90.

Right now, the truck shifts a little hard, but I'm pretty sure that is caused by a sticking throw out bearing, and bad clutch combination. BUT, I'd liek to put a good quality ATF in there that'll help preserve my transmission. I've been told by others to just put cheap ATF in there for like 5k miles or so, basicaly for my first engine OCI, then drain it again, then put the good stuff in. Figure, a decent flush I guess.

What should I be using for oil? I'm pretty set on Redline D4 ATF, as it seems to be ****ed near the best. Also pretty set on Redline 75W-90 gear lube, the stuff that already has the limited slip friction modifier in it. Is there anything else I should be looking at? Anything that may be better than the redline? What about the t-case? Should I be using the same fluid in that as in the trans? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[kendogg441]

Well, Had the truck for a couple weeks, haven't had time to do much maintenence wise. After driving it for about 2 weeks, I can give alot betetr description about what I'm noticing wiht my transmission. It seems as if the clutch is actually in good shape, just a little stiff. TO bearing does make a little noise, but, not bad enough to warrent pulling the trans ASAP.

What I notice during shifting - in very cold temps, it has been around 0F around here lately, is that it shift very, very nice, very smooth. As the temp of the fluid increases, it gets harder and harder to shift. I also notice that, in the lower gears, mostly 1st and second, moreso after fully warmed up, I can feel that it alomst feels liek I'm moving thru 2 parts when I shift (kinda ****** way of explainign it, but, basically, as if the synchro is not catching the gear fast enough, even for a slow shift), and I feel the synchro move into the gear forst, then I can feel the gear cclash a little bit, not alot, but, slow enough for you to be able to count the teeth that clash till they mesh perfectly.

To me, being an emtry-level technicial, it sounds like 1 or possibly 2 of 2 things - A: Worm out fluid, that loses many of it's properties after the fluid heats up. And 2, wearing synchro's, that will get worse without changing the fluid. I do not have tim to change the fluid this weekend, but, I hopefully will be doing it the following weekend. Any other recomendations from anybody? Thanks again. Ken.

 

[MolaKule]

You might investigate our MTFGlide or SynchroGlide MT fluids.