Changing all my fluids/filers - - first time, need advice

[skuzzitude]

I recentely purchased a 2006 6.0L Manual. It has only 31,000 miles on it, however, I want to change all the fluids to synthetics anyways since it's coming up on 5 years since the build date and I figure it would be a wise thing to do. After a lot of researching on these forums, I think I have decided I am going to change the following with these fluids.

Engine - Rotella T5
Transmission - 75w-90 Amsoil Manual Transmission and Transaxle Gear Lube Synthetic
Transfer Case - Synthetic ATF
Front/Rear Diffs - 75w-140 Severe Gear Synthetic
Coolant Rotella ELC

I'll be using stock motomaster fuel filters, air filters and oil filters. How does this all look?

I have decided to use 75w-140 in both front and rear because I have heard this is the new norm and the dealers are doing this. But should I stick with 75w-90 in the front?

Also, the transmission fluid. My manual recommends ATF, but the new 2008+ ZF6 are using the 75w-90 oil specified above. I feel a lot more comfortable using gear oil rather than ATF.

Question... since both the Tranny and T-Case originally were spec'd to use ATF, but now the tranny has switched to 75w-90, can I also switch the t-case to 75w-90? Or is that a no no? I know the t-case is a lot different than the tranny, in the sense that oil isn't as important but wondering if I could do this.

Last question, is there anything I need to know when doing all of this? Any tips for installing the fuel filters, or doing the diffs? Do I need to take the covers off the diffs to drain the oil and fill, or are there plugs? How easy is it to drain and fill the manual tranny and t-case?

Thanks....

[PGreenSVT]

Motorcraft is the oem brand filters and they are made by Racor. I would stick to the manufacturers recommended fluids for the trans and transfer case. They were not designed for gear oil. I would suggest Amsoil engine oil as well. T5 is a blend.

[bfrank81]

For the T case it looks like AMSOIL is recommendding that you run Synthetic Multi-Vehicle Automatic Transmission Fluid.

The fuel filter and oil is a piece of cake. I used an 8 gallon rubber maid container for dumping the oil and fuel from the filters.

I used these for guidance.
6.0L DIT Power Stroke Diesel Engine Oil Change Guide
6.0L DIT Power Stroke Diesel Fuel Filter Change Guide

I agree if you are going with Amsoil put it in the engine also.

Are you planning to add a coolant filter?

[skuzzitude]

Originally Posted by PGreenSVT

Motorcraft is the oem brand filters and they are made by Racor. I would stick to the manufacturers recommended fluids for the trans and transfer case. They were not designed for gear oil. I would suggest Amsoil engine oil as well. T5 is a blend.

Oops. I meant Motorcraft not Motormaster. Not the first time I've made that typo. Yes I plan to use Motorcraft filters. Thanks for the suggestion, I might go with a full synthetic but I have heard really good things about the T5. Not too sure about it yet.

Originally Posted by bfrank81

For the T case it looks like AMSOIL is recommendding that you run Synthetic Multi-Vehicle Automatic Transmission Fluid.

The fuel filter and oil is a piece of cake. I used an 8 gallon rubber maid container for dumping the oil and fuel from the filters.

I used these for guidance.
6.0L DIT Power Stroke Diesel Engine Oil Change Guide
6.0L DIT Power Stroke Diesel Fuel Filter Change Guide

I agree if you are going with Amsoil put it in the engine also.

Are you planning to add a coolant filter?

hey, thank you very much for those links. That was exactly what I was looking for, it looks really easy to do the fuel filters. Thanks for the rubbermaid tip, I was wondering wtf I was going to put all the oil in. I've got a huge 8 gallon rubbermaid container and that is what I will use. I will think about the full synthetic. I was going to go with the T5 because I need a 10w30 (for cold winters) and because it is cheap, $11 at walmart per gallon right now.

I've been considering a coolant filter. Is that something I should do before putting new coolant in? I sort of wanted to keep this rig stock... but... I keep hearing this coolant filter mentioned and highly recommend. I thought they might have fixed the whole casting sand thing in my 2006 (which is a late model build, 02/06) but I am not sure if that is the case. Is there anyway to know?

[smokersteve]

I use amsoil in both diffs and transfer case. I really like that I went with amsoil.

[PGreenSVT]

Originally Posted by smokersteve

I use amsoil in both diffs and transfer case. I really like that I went with amsoil.

It aint cheap but it's great stuff so I'll keep using it. Sometimes I wish I wasn't so anal about this stuff and could put $11/gal stuff in my truck. The price sounds nice but I just can't bring myself to do it.

[smokersteve]

Originally Posted by PGreenSVT

It aint cheap but it's great stuff so I'll keep using it. Sometimes I wish I wasn't so anal about this stuff and could put $11/gal stuff in my truck. The price sounds nice but I just can't bring myself to do it.

I am the same way. When I put the fluid in the truck I even had it tilted so that I could get more fluid in.

[amdriven2liv]

Here is a link for coolant change.

Coolant Change 101 - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

except put your choice of coolant!