[getpower]

Whats going on guys? I guess the last time that I logged on was back in May. But I've been really busy with work and trying to get my class a license and another job too.

But enough with my life story.

My truck has been driven almost daily since I bought it 6 months ago when it had 312,xxx miles on it.

I am happy to say that I've done my second motor oil change on it today with Delo 400 15-40 at 316,xxx miles. And the truck runs great. I changed the seals and gaskets on the oil cooler yesterday because the gaskets were going to blow out anytime, and the o-rings were all hard as rock.

So, another thing taken care of, and another to take care of.

Now for the issue. When I bought the truck, I checked all of the fluids and most were clean and good, so they were left alone.

The one thing that I checked that needed attention besides the motor oil and filters was the transmission fliud.

I have the ZF-5 in my truck. Obviously it takes ATF, but Id like to know how much to buy to change it.

Also, the fill plug has been stripped, and that's why the fliud in the tranny has been neglected. Not the actual threads, but the part of the plug where you put the wrench onto it has been rounded out.

Now, I have managed to take it off with a pair of channellocks, so getting it off wont be an issue. The issue is that I havent been able to find a replacement plug.

Other than the above capacity question, does anyone know where I can get a replacement plug? Do I have to go to the dealer, or can I go to home depot and get a plug with pipe threads and screw it right in?

Does anyone know what size the plug is-if I can just go buy one at the hardware store?


On another note, I have a Diamond-Eye downpipe on the way, and the kitten should be gone, and straight-pipe on the truck within the next month. Let me know if you guys want pictures of that. Im planning on just dumping the exhaust from under the bed in front of the right rear tire. A buddy of mine is doing the work. The cat is probably all plugged up from having so many miles on the truck, so something needs to be done there for sure.

Plus I hear that the billowing or buffering that the truck does with the stock exhaust gets helped out when you open all of that stuff up.

Let me know your opinions. Theres a lot more I have to learn about this truck.

 

[GA Farmer]

If you have the plug out then stick it in your pocket and see if you can match it up anywhere. I live in Atlanta and our auto parts stores here have an HELP section that some genius thought up that has all of the obscure hardware that you sometimes need but you are sure will be difficult to find.

 

[getpower]

I appreciate the help, but that's kind of the obvious. And it might be what I have to do.

I have pulled the plug off before and I wasnt ready to change the fluid. But the plug was difficult to come off and reinstall. So, I just figured that someone on the forum may have run into a similar problem and might happen to know what size the thing is before I have to pull it off again. This way, when I change the fluid, I can just reinstall the NEW plug when I change the fluid.

In other words, I can drive to the store now, but not after the plug has been taken out.

 

[Squid63]

If you can't come up with one, you could always weld a nut to the old one. I think they're steel, it's been a while since I've had mine out.

 

[getpower]

That's actually not a bad idea. I really didn't think of that one-thanks.

I might just do that. Probably saved me about ten bucks right there.

 

[Squid63]

As far as the capacity, I've got 4 quarts in mine. Filled through the shifter hole from the top.

 

[Patrick Feeley]

Okay, here's what I have. There are three different part numbers listed for the fill plug on the ZF tranny documnets. Which one you might have I don't know.

ZF# 0501 209 879, Ford# F81Z 7A010 AA, M22 x 1.75 threads
ZF# 0636 304 049, Ford# E7TZ 7A010 C, M24 x 1.5 threads
ZF# 0736 304 150, Ford# F4TZ 7A010 A, M24 x 1.5 threads

Cheers!

 

[bignissan]

I'd recommend not dumping your exhaust under the bed. I did that on my old PSD and it was not only LOUD, it covered EVERYTHING in black soot. That stuff is nasty to deal with and caustic.

 

[rammertide07]

When I'm dealing with a stripped head, I use a dremel to make a slot for a flat head to fit in it.

Sent from my ADR6300 using AutoGuide App

 

[getpower]

When I'm dealing with a stripped head, I use a dremel to make a slot for a flat head to fit in it.

Sent from my ADR6300 using AutoGuide App

I actually just ran out of money, and time is really short too, so IF I change the fluid soon, I'll go either this route, or the welding route. The only issue that I had with this was that I wasn't sure if the other side of the plug was hollow or not behind the rounded piece.

I'd recommend not dumping your exhaust under the bed. I did that on my old PSD and it was not only LOUD, it covered EVERYTHING in black soot. That stuff is nasty to deal with and caustic.

As far as dumping the exhaust. I wasn't planning on dumping it UNDER the bed, I was planning on having it exit before the right rear tire. Which I guess would put some soot on the right side of the bed behind it. But, the guy that Im having do it has done it to another '97 PSD in my town. I see that truck all of the time, and I have never seen the side of his bed black. So, I'll talk to both of them before the final exhaust has been done.