Gear Oil, Tanny Fluid, Mercon 5 - Someone please tell me what to put in this thing!

swopey · #1 02-23-2012, 10:33 PM

OK I have a 1998 Ford Ranger 2wd with a 5spd manual tranny and the 2.5L engine. I just bought this truck and got it for a steal, at least I think so, but it is my first truck.

I replaced the U-Joint because it was bad but I did it on my driveway which is slanted so when i pulled the driveshaft out then some fluid came out. It wasnt just a drop or two either, probably a 1/4 - 1/2 quart!

Im guessing this is tranny fluid but know that most manuel trannys use gear oil, but that Ford "recomends" mercon. Now my question is what do I put in there and whats best. I live in south florida where it is usually 70+ degrees. Im going to be driving this truck everyday as my daily driver and want something that will help smooth out the shifting. The truck has 174k on it and Im assuming the tranny is original but not sure what models people are talking about when they say p50s and such.

So far Ive heard that you should put mercon MTF or mercon V in the tranny and gear oil in the front and rear differential. is there even a diffrence? I need to get this done like yesterday!

Thanks for the help, if any is givin.......

pooleo · #2 02-23-2012, 10:35 PM

it calls for ATF. I personally run 75w gear oil. Synchromesh is another viable option. Fwiw, I plow with my ranger and the trans has held up perfect with 75w mobile 1. A little sticky first thing in the morning (during winter).

swopey · #3 02-23-2012, 10:43 PM

And so far I have been reading into it and that is similar to other answers I have found but I am completely ignorant to transmission fluids and so is there only one kind of ATF or only one 75w gear oil? I go to the store and see about 70 different types, names, weights and am not sure which is best because I am not sure on the differences that they make, if any at all, which some will swear by certian ones and I just want to make sure my tranny shifts smoother than it does now. I think its gotten worse since the fluid came out the driveshaft too.

pooleo · #4 02-23-2012, 11:06 PM

fluid like the rear seal is leaking....?

For normal applications and your 4 banger, I would run ATF Merc V

greenmachine2000 · #5 02-24-2012, 12:15 AM

That bars leak stuff for rear mains at advance auto is supposed to be good stuff.

swopey · #6 02-24-2012, 07:06 AM

Well I guess to clearify The fluid only came out when I pulled the driveshaft out, at no other time has there been any leak at all.

So then just use the ATF Merc V? any brand better than the other?

swopey · #7 02-24-2012, 08:11 PM

Ok So another update, and please chime in if you have any help but I was about to check out with 3 quarts of Mercon V and the guy told me that it was wrong and I needed just regular mercon which is also called Dex/Mercon. So I got three quarts of that and will be putting it in later tonight.

Hope I got the right stuff!

pooleo · #8 02-24-2012, 08:32 PM

I think regular ATF is fine for the manuals. Its the autos that require Merc V

swopey · #9 02-24-2012, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pooleo

I think regular ATF is fine for the manuals. Its the autos that require Merc V

Thanks your exactly right, I finally used some common cense and went to ford.com and downloaded the owners manual and right in it says that manual 2wd uses ATF Mercon and it also said that it uses ATF Mercon as the power steering fluid as well. Thought that was weird as well.

ChrisHanson1993 · #10 03-05-2012, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swopey

Thanks your exactly right, I finally used some common cense and went to ford.com and downloaded the owners manual and right in it says that manual 2wd uses ATF Mercon and it also said that it uses ATF Mercon as the power steering fluid as well. Thought that was weird as well.

depending where you shop it should say on the bottle reccomended for ford.

oldcarfart · #11 03-05-2012, 07:05 AM

Good deal reading the owners manual vs. "I heard" eh? (grin). I use Wal-Mart ATF, no issues, but my racing buddies use a Redline MTL (big buck stuff). Using a gear lube will create lube issues affecting synchros, bearings and shifting quality usually ending up with destroyed components and hard parts scored or blued and deemed unuseable. IIRC used trannys cost $750.00 & up, new from $1299.00.

ChrisHanson1993 · #12 03-05-2012, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldcarfart

Good deal reading the owners manual vs. "I heard" eh? (grin). I use Wal-Mart ATF, no issues, but my racing buddies use a Redline MTL (big buck stuff). Using a gear lube will create lube issues affecting synchros, bearings and shifting quality usually ending up with destroyed components and hard parts scored or blued and deemed unuseable. IIRC used trannys cost $750.00 & up, new from $1299.00.

ur racing buddies are wasting their money buyin the expensive stuff they are paying for the name not the product its basicly the same stuff

JGiddy · #13 03-06-2012, 07:50 PM

The M5OD tranny doesn't care whether you use Mercon or Mercon V. I have heard a few scattered reports of the M5OD not acting as good with Mercon V, but Ford states that all existing Mercon applications are now updated to Mercon V anyway because they discontinued use of the old Mercon.

None of this matters if you run synthetic. I do in both my tranny and power steering and I think the extra few bucks is worth it.

And good call not listening to the moron at the parts store who told you you need Dex.

swopey · #14 03-06-2012, 08:20 PM

@jgiddy I want to flush my power steering fluid next as it is BLACK! I no its past the time it should be change and it is starting to whine a little! But first I need to replace the cat as it is rusted and leaking.

Play4Keeps · #15 03-06-2012, 08:37 PM

I work at a lube shop and we put Boss 75-140 in the rear with a motorcraft additive.