mercon 5 in 98 ford ranger transfer case?

[joegreen]

So I just got done changing the 161,000 mile original atf in the transfer case. I used mercon 5 for the refill. Upon reading the back of the motorcraft mercon 5 bottle it says DO NOT USE IN TRANSFER CASES. Did I make a mistake in putting that fluid in. I have not driven the truck yet.

 

[skyactiv]

Look at this video from a Ford tech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7gKtqkuhmU

 

[bdcardinal]

This is what we now use:
https://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubricants.c...mission%20Fluid

 

[andyd]

Wabbout plain old Mercon or Dex-merc? I think that is what I used in the Rat. It has bout 30K miles showing on the odo. I use a vise grip to shift modes, but that has nothing to do with lube. The last Ranger was built 4 yrs ago. I'm guessing the new Mercon 5 is not backward compatible

 

[bdcardinal]

Regular Mercon / Dex III was what was spec'd.

 

[joegreen]

So do I need to go to the dealer and get the xl-12 fluid or can I use some castrol transmax dex/merc I have. I don't want to run to the dealer and spend more money on oil if the transmax will work but if that's what I need to do to get the proper fluid I'm fine with going to the dealer

 

[bdcardinal]

Ford no longer licenses Mercon. They stated Mercon V could be used in all Mercon applications except for transfer cases so they came out with XL-12. Read between the lines.

 

[joegreen]

Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
Ford no longer licenses Mercon. They stated Mercon V could be used in all Mercon applications except for transfer cases so they came out with XL-12. Read between the lines.
so xl-12 is essentially mercon? So I would be ok with dex/merc?

 

[Nyogtha]

Valvoline makes an aftermarket transfer case fluid that's fully synthetic. Says it includes Ford XL-12 applications.

http://www.valvoline.com/our-products/au...sfer-case-fluid

http://content.valvoline.com/pdf/transfer_case_fluid.pdf

 

[joegreen]

Doing some more research I think its best if I just get the fluid at the dealership

 

[JR]

This is good to know. Thank you all.

The Ranger Station(TBR) is a place to check out, was the best one stop shop for ranger411.



Harvey

 

[joegreen]

Just grabbed a couple quarts from the dealer. $8 a quart was pretty good.

 

[hatt]

Leave it to Ford to require special expensive fluid in 40 year old designs. What does GM and Dodge spec in the same cases?

 

[Greasymechtech]

Mercon-V works fine in transfer cases.

I prefer full synthetic ATF, like Mobil 1, Redline, Amsoil, RoyalPurple....

I wouldn't bother with OE obsolete rebottled renamed overpriced conventional ATF.

 

[hatt]

I've seen a few stories of blown up transfer cases using V. I won't be using it or the big $$$ transfer case fluid as long as they sell the old Dex/Merc stuff that worked fine for decades.

 

[Greasymechtech]

I've seen transfer cases that died on Mercon, XL12, ... Failure... low fluid, cooked fluid, overheated, no maintenance, too much HP or TQ from mods, 4wd locked low on dry pavement, binding u-joints/slip joints....

Ford's issue is that their lowest bid Mercon-V took 3-4 formulations before they got it right. They can't even get SP and LV to play well together. Someone at Ford writing the requirements is clueless.

 

[01rangerxl]

I use any store brand of "Dex/Merc".