07-07-2008, 10:48 PM
I will chime in on this, As tech by trade I use lots of diffrent fluids. All of which do diffrent things and are often recomended by the manufacturer.
It also will depend on what your doing with the vehicle, some fluids are more suited for long term uses.
For my eb, I tend to use generic fluids. Mostly since there is always a good chance the fluids may get water in them. Especialy the gear oil. I do like to use the higher viscositys(140W) for the diffs, and t-case. But no sense in the higher price stuff since I seem to change them reguarly.
If it were a tow rig I would use a synthetic. I.E. Royal Purpal, Lucas, or simular brands.
For the tranns, Since its a ford, ford Mercon(dextron/mercon), there are many additives that are good for trannys. Just dont fall for the gimics.
For engin oil I have an old school motor, so I use strait 50W oil. For Liz's stealth we use the synetic version. Not all motors like synthetic, mostly it is the foreign brands.
For coolent, I use a true 50/50 mix of ethnal anti freeze and water. I have run things like water wetter. These work for racers, and short term uses. Not realy the best thing for once you resolve any overheating issues and dont plan to open up the cooling system for some time.
For brake fluid I use dot 3, that is detemaned by the brake system I put in my truck. As the newer systems come out you will need to use dot 4 and dot 5.
The one thing I will say I would never continue to use is dex cool. It is the factory coolent in GM cars. It tends to get very corrosive.
Fluids need to be changed at regular intervals, especialy under hard conditions. Since most of our rigs dont actuly build the miles that are normaly used to determine when they need changing. We need to pay closer attention too the condition of the fluids,(milkly look means water, brown atf with a burnt smell is very bad) Before things get torn up.
Just my 2C.
Broncomatt
It also will depend on what your doing with the vehicle, some fluids are more suited for long term uses.
For my eb, I tend to use generic fluids. Mostly since there is always a good chance the fluids may get water in them. Especialy the gear oil. I do like to use the higher viscositys(140W) for the diffs, and t-case. But no sense in the higher price stuff since I seem to change them reguarly.
If it were a tow rig I would use a synthetic. I.E. Royal Purpal, Lucas, or simular brands.
For the tranns, Since its a ford, ford Mercon(dextron/mercon), there are many additives that are good for trannys. Just dont fall for the gimics.
For engin oil I have an old school motor, so I use strait 50W oil. For Liz's stealth we use the synetic version. Not all motors like synthetic, mostly it is the foreign brands.
For coolent, I use a true 50/50 mix of ethnal anti freeze and water. I have run things like water wetter. These work for racers, and short term uses. Not realy the best thing for once you resolve any overheating issues and dont plan to open up the cooling system for some time.
For brake fluid I use dot 3, that is detemaned by the brake system I put in my truck. As the newer systems come out you will need to use dot 4 and dot 5.
The one thing I will say I would never continue to use is dex cool. It is the factory coolent in GM cars. It tends to get very corrosive.
Fluids need to be changed at regular intervals, especialy under hard conditions. Since most of our rigs dont actuly build the miles that are normaly used to determine when they need changing. We need to pay closer attention too the condition of the fluids,(milkly look means water, brown atf with a burnt smell is very bad) Before things get torn up.
Just my 2C.
Broncomatt