Stupid Girl Questions: 4500 Truck Edition

[kcflhrc]

The internet is your friend, WIX probably makes every filter you could ever need and you could buy it all online and not have to go on a date. Everyone wins that way.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Multiple trips to get a job done is mandatory when you are learning

Transmission and differential oil depends on the vehicle I guess. On my F350 the transmission oil drain has a plug just like engine oil, but changing the filter is more of a pain. On my E350 diesel I have to drop the pan which gets messy. For differential on my F350 again it's a plug, I just stick my finger in, feel the level, add if needed.

My experience is that dropping the transmission pan is a snap, but putting it back on can be tricky. The pan gasket is flimsy and you have to torque the bolts carefully in the correct pattern to keep from squeezing it out of position. A 3/8 drive clicker type torque wrench is a necessary tool. A transmission drain and filter is not as thorough as a flush, but a flush uses a lot of fluid. You can change the fluid and filter at home half a dozen times for what a shop will charge for a flush.

Differential covers are a little easier, and if there is an unknown quality gear oil in the box I like to drain it completely, flush with a squirt bottle filled with kerosene, and fill with clean gear oil. That means dropping the cover. There's nothing wrong with a visual inspection of the gears too. I run freeways a lot in 100 degree heat, and the gear oil kept breaking down and turning black until I switched to a full synthetic.

 

[ultrarunner]

No stupid questions here at TBN when someone is asking how to do their own work...

Welcome to TBN and you will find the most helpful people here...

It sounds like to don't put a lot of mileage on your truck... a friend has two vehicles... a truck like yours and a older Miata Convertible... the truck is for work and the Miata is for transportation... so far the combo has been a winner for them...

Keep an eye open for a older well maintained car... many would fit the bill... older Corolla's tend to be very reliable and easy to maintain...

 

[dmccarty]

For many years, I have bought my fuel and oil filters for my Ford from my JD dealer. JD sells Fleetguard filters and JD even has a JD branded oil filter for my F350. Go figure. Price was the same as the local parts store, when the local store had the filters in stock, so I would get them at the JD dealer.

Over the years, I have used Shell 15Wx40, Shell 5Wx40, JD 0Wx40, and Delo 15Wx40 oils in the truck and tractor. If I was at the JD dealer, and they had the best price I bought from them. Lately, more for convenience, I have been buying off of Amazon for filters and getting the oil locally. The NAPA near me is quite expensive so they are the stop of last choice.

I buy oil and filters that are good brands and don't worry about it. Follow the manual for which oil to use and things will be fine.

I also do UOA from Blackstone which has given me some interesting results that I have found helpful and valuable.

Later,
Dan