Advise me on a GL-4 gear oil

L

Lubener

Joined
Jan 22, 2011
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I want to improve the cold weather shifting qualities (notchy and stiffness) of my 87 Ford F150 w/ a 4spd. O/D manual transmission. It shifts fine after driving some miles. I believe it's a model TOD. The owners manual suggests an 80W , GL-4 , spec # ESP-M2C83C. This is pretty old information. I would like to try a Redline product but am undecided with the following: MTL 75W-80, MT-85 (75W-85) or MT-90 (75W-90). I am in N.Ohio and do not tow if that helps.
 
Last edited:
Lubener said:
I want to improve the cold weather shifting qualities (notchy) of my 87 Ford F150 w/ a 4spd. O/D manual transmission. I believe it's a model TOD. The owners manual suggests an 80W , GL-4 , spec # ESP-M2C83C. This is pretty old information. I would like to try a Redline product but am undecided with the following: MTL 75W-80, MT-85 (75W-85) or MT-90 (75W-90). I am in N.Ohio and do not tow if that helps.
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You're better off with something that covers the 80W on both sides say a 75W85 seems to be a reasonable compromise. That said, just wear on the shifter bushings and such is going to cause notchiness so look at replacing those.
 
Given that any of those products you mention are going to do well in terms of wear protection, and shift quality is your primary goal, then the 75W-80 would be my choice. Just realize that there is only so much any lube can do in that regard; it's still nearly 40 years old, probably has some worn bushings and syncros, etc.
 
Lubener said:
The fourth gear is over drive.

Forgot to mention that there are not too many miles accrued, 118k miles.
Click to expand...
Final drive on the T-18/19 is 1:1? Not trying to be difficult, but the only 2 O/D manuals I was aware of were the M5OD and the ZF S5-42 both of which spec ATF (I use synchromesh in mine).

T-18/19 both spec gear oil as mentioned.
 
nwjones18 said:
Final drive on the T-18/19 is 1:1? Not trying to be difficult, but the only 2 O/D manuals I was aware of were the M5OD and the ZF S5-42 both of which spec ATF (I use synchromesh in mine).

T-18/19 both spec gear oil as mentioned.
Click to expand...
The model is "TOD" and was used just before the M5OD. I have had it since day one and the transmission is original. It has four speeds and the fourth gear is OD. The shifter knob also incicates that.

It never came with ATF but had 80W from the factory according to the manual. I have serviced it several times before with Sta-lube GL-4 gear oil but it was slightly on the more viscous side and I want to use a synthetic now.
 
Right out of the book. She's definitely a 4-speed Overdrive.

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Lubener said:
The model is "TOD" and was used just before the M5OD. I have had it since day one and the transmission is original. It has four speeds and the fourth gear is OD. The shifter knob also incicates that.

It never came with ATF but had 80W from the factory according to the manual. I have serviced it several times before with Sta-lube GL-4 gear oil but it was slightly on the more viscous side and I want to use a synthetic now.
Click to expand...
Here I was thinking I knew all there was to know about 87-91 F-150’s… very cool thanks!
 
I acquired 3 qts of HPL 75W80 for a project that I may go a different direction with.

If interested, let me know - it could work here.
 
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