Third gen explorer/Mountaineer diff fluid?

[Ifixyawata]

Ok so Google searches have led me to too many different conclusions.

I think it calls for 75w140 in the rear diff per a TSB. The front I've read different things. Anyone changed these fluids in one of these 02-05 Mountaineer or Explorer?

How about recommendations on trans and xfer case fluids.

I'd like to do all the 'underside' fluids this summer.

 

[Falcon_LS]

I use 75W-140 in my '99 (front and rear) and also used 75W-140 back when I had my '09.

Some people prefer running a thinner fluid, like 75W-90 up front, but given the climate around here, I stuck with 75W-140. Motorcraft is good stuff, I personally run Motul.

Do you have a transmission dipstick? My '09 didn't and it was a royal pain the replace ATF. I would go ahead and run Amsoil Signature Series Multi-Vehicle in both the transmission and transfer case, since they call for Mercon V.

 

[Ifixyawata]

Nope, no dipstick on the trans. Probably the same fill-from-bottom design on your '09.

I need some more ideas on other decent, accessible Mercon V fluids.

I think the front diff asks for 75w90 or maybe 85w90.

 

[The_Eric]

I did all drive line fluids on our Aviator (Explorer platform) this last summer- 75w-140 in the rear, 75w-110 up front per Pablo's recommendation and a synthetic Merc V in the t-case and transmission. The front diff is a bit of a pain because the cover is close to the cross member, so I drilled and tapped a 1/4" pipe thread hole in the bottom so changes in the future are simply a drain and fill like the rear.


To fill the transmission, I used an old electric fuel pump that I took out of some random tank- just put a hose on it's discharge nipple, submerged it in the jug of ATF. The other end I connected to a hose barb that I screwed into the transmission pan (1/8" pipe X 5/16" hose barb). Then I connected the battery and let it fill up.

 

[Ifixyawata]

I did some looking around today and it's hard to find many places locally that have Mercon V fluids. It looks like they'll cost $4+ a quart no matter what. Is that the norm? I guess clearance oils have spoiled me. How many quarts for a drain and refill? Wondering if a filter change is worth doing, also.

Hoping also to find some of that Castrol diff lube $5 clearance.

 

[Falcon_LS]

Mercon V is a bit on the pricey side. If you have Amazon Prime, you can get a 5 quart jug of Motorcraft Mercon V for $31.89 free shipping. Or you can pick up a case (12 quarts) of Havoline Mercon V for $56.35. You'll need 5 quarts when you drop the pan anyway - certainly go ahead and replace the filter.

 

[SoNic67]

Castrol has a good price Mercon V in 4 Qt jugs - $22 here. I am due to do my Explorer soon (with 4R70W), but from what I remember it took 5 Qt (without draining the Torque Converter).
If you take the time to drop the pan, might as well change the filter.

 

[01rangerxl]

A good rule of thumb for any 8.8 after 1997 or so is to just use synthetic 75W140. Won't hurt any of them, and is what the majority of them call for.

I have used 75W140 synthetic in 7.5s. It was fine.

I put plain 80W90 in my 1994 Ranger's 8.8, but I'd have no problem using 75W140 synthetic in it if I had a reason to.

There are many variations of 8.8s, but 75W140 should be okay across the board.

For the trans, my truck's 5R44E likes anything Mercon V compatible or Wynn's fluid. $4+ a quart is definitely the norm for anything these days. You probably can't even get Type F for less than that. Take care of a 4R or 5R transmission and it will take care of you.

 

[LubeFiner]

Ford is no longer recommending Merc-V in the t-case according to an updated TSB. Ford now has a specific t-case fluid known as XL-12. Look on youtube for fordtechmakuloco, he talks about this new t-case specific fluid and why Ford changed the spec for these units. Not to badly price and I read on another thread around $12-15 for the 2 qts that it takes.

Ford Transmission Tips: #4 Mercon V in Your Transfer Case= BOOM?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7gKtqkuhmU