What kind of ATF are you guys running.

[94b4000beater]

I know ford has specced mercon V for compatibility with mercon so that's the official recommendation. But what atf are you guys running in your rangers? I've had good luck with Valvoline Maxlife and their Dex/Merc.

 

[mikkelstuff]

Motorcraft Mercon V in my 2002 4WD XLT - both transmission but not the transfer case.

 

[Curious Hound]

ATF??

A= Alcohol - usually local moonshine or a good bourbon

T= Tobacco - I don't use the stuff

F= Firearms - CZ75b

Next question?

 

[Dirtman]

Depends on the transmission....

 

[sgtsandman]

When it comes to automatics, it is better to stick with what the manufacturer recommends or an aftermarket brand proven to meet that spec. There are too many solenoids and valves built with that specific fluid in mind to risk anything else and you you can't always trust what it says on the bottle.

 

[19Walt93]

Before Ford decided to discontinue Mercon we were told never to mix it with Mercon V, then Mercon V became the accepted replacement for transmissions but not transfer cases. Motorcraft released Transfer case fluid that sold for over $12/qt, if you read the bottle, it meets Mercon spec. I would use a major brand Mercon in the transfer case rather than Mercon V(which isn't approved for it) or $12 "transfer case fluid". The C4 in my truck is old enough to spec type F which Motorcraft has apparently discontinued so I used Napa brand "F". I would avoid any alleged"universal" fluids. If there really was such a thing as universal fluid it would be factory fill in every model and reduce manufacturing costs for the car companies.

 

[mtnrgr]

I am using Ford mercon dexron 3 in my ranger 5spd. Found a eBay seller in 2018 selling 20 quarts of it and bought them all for 65.00. seller gave me a great deal...mercon v (fuafo)...Ford still makes type f fluid. Replaced my ps pump a couple of months ago and my local Ford dealer had alot in stock.

 

[Dirtman]

I have a couple cases of type F, I use it to soak rusty parts...

 

[19Walt93]

I am using Ford mercon dexron 3 in my ranger 5spd. Found a eBay seller in 2018 selling 20 quarts of it and bought them all for 65.00. seller gave me a great deal...mercon v (fuafo)...Ford still makes type f fluid. Replaced my ps pump a couple of months ago and my local Ford dealer had alot in stock.

Ford power steering fluid meets the Mercon/dex II spec, type F hasn't been used for a long time. The dealer may still have F in stock, that doesn't mean it's still produced.

 

[racsan]

red atf.
but seriously, in my M5OD I run something called synchromesh fluid from pennzoil. Im not sure just how critical it is in a manual to run a specific type of atf, as long as its not gear oil ( did that once btw in a CJ7 ) automatics Id run the factory recommended oil, same with transfer case.

 

[mtnrgr]

Ford power steering fluid meets the Mercon/dex II spec, type F hasn't been used for a long time. The dealer may still have F in stock, that doesn't mean it's still produced.

Ford still makes type f fluid. When I was there I was torn between mercon v and type f, was informed by the parts manager a few mechanics and a few parts guys who work at the back counter, they all said type f is still made. All of these individuals I have known for 20+ years. I called Ford in Michigan and they did verify type f is still produced.

 

[8thTon]

red atf.
but seriously, in my M5OD I run something called synchromesh fluid from pennzoil. Im not sure just how critical it is in a manual to run a specific type of atf, as long as its not gear oil ( did that once btw in a CJ7 ) automatics Id run the factory recommended oil, same with transfer case.

That stuff is amazing. I’ve used it in 4 different manuals where the shift quality had really degraded, and they shifted like new after. One was in my ‘99 Cougar where Ford was trying ATF with modifiers that never did work well.

 

[Dirtman]

I think I'd sooner use whale oil than type F...

 

[19Walt93]

Ford still makes type f fluid. When I was there I was torn between mercon v and type f, was informed by the parts manager a few mechanics and a few parts guys who work at the back counter, they all said type f is still made. All of these individuals I have known for 20+ years. I called Ford in Michigan and they did verify type f is still produced.

The parts manager at the dealer where I worked for 42 years may have been wrong( he isn't often wrong) or misinformed by our Motorcraft supplier-more likely. Read a bottle of Ford power steering fluid, it's Mercon, which is slipperier than type F. Or do like Jiffy Lube does-dump anything red in there and blame Ford when the pump starts whining.

 

[mikkelstuff]

I've never had a problem - 3 Ford vehicles now - going from type F or whatever to the latest Mercon in both automatics and power steering.