Ok guys, I have a tough decision to make. I have an '03 F150 FX4 with the 5.4L that now has 136K on the clock. Several years ago I used it to tow a travel trailer, but I haven't used it for heavy tow duty in a while. The wife and I just bought a new camper and the old F-150 is going to be put back into tow duty once again. We drove it from Mississippi to Cincinnati this past week to pick up the camper, and pulled it back down through Chattanooga and then home. The truck ran great and pulled the camper like a champ.

The decision I have to make is a maintenance one. The break in camping that we had for several years was due mainly to financial reasons, and a lot of maintenance on the truck was unfortunately neglected during that time as well. None of the driveline fluids have ever been changed (transmission, diffs, or transfer case). So, that being said, I need to figure out what the best course of action will be in resuming the maintenance on this truck to maximize its longevity.

I know some do not recommend changing the transmission fluid if it hasn't been done prior to 100K miles. I just thought I'd see what you guys would do if you were in my shoes.

Thanks!

 

i bought my truck with 92k on it... it was used for long haul trailer towing by the previous owner. I finally got around to changing the driveline fluids at 120k (tranny, transfer case, f/r axles). All fluids were fairly clean and could have gone much longer. I still haven't bled the brakes, changed coolant, or PS fluid.

I think the truck is very tolerant of drivetrain fluid neglect. just change all your fluids in the near future, and resume the manufacturer's schedule. Do it yourself and save big $$.

 

I would change all the driveline fluids, using synthetic. Do a complete exchange (NOT a flush) on the tranny, not just a pan drop.

 

/\ x2. Don't wait (if you can afford to do it now). Do use synthetic.

 

I would change the fluids ASAP.

 

You should take care of your stuff. I would change the fluid with regular non synthetic then in a year I would do it again during the 2nd exchange I'd convert to AMSOIL or some other synthetic..

 

I'd Amsoil the trans before towing anything. That will keep the temps down towing. Old stuff will heat up quick and that can be it's worst enemy, - quick... Don't go cheap, specially with one that has more than a few miles on it. Treat it right and will return the favor. 300,000 miles on my trans and it's had its share of hard ones.

Rear end, Transfer case, front pig, -do it all at once. Buy a little extra and flush the power steering while your at it. Suck out the brake fluid, dump new in. Drive it for a few days and do it again. Your bound to have a lot of water from sitting.

Make sure she stops like she should. The rubber brake lines don't last long, -not the Ford lines anyway. If you notice anything lacking in the brake system and the other hardware seems okay, -suspect the rubber lines (all 3). They breakdown from the inside and get weak. The lines expand like a bubble instead of applying pressure to the rest of the system. Twin piston systems need that pressure, specially towing.

Engine oil. Stick with the recommended blend NOT full synthetic.