Awesome video. Really helped out. You seem super knowledgeable and actually know what your talking about unlike some of these other ding dongs making videos
I appreciate the kind comment! I’ve watched a ton of videos too and try to add all the things someone else might have left out or that you could possibly run into. if you have any problems feel free to send a message or dm me on Instagram @bryanbuilt360
Hey glad I could be helpful, I’m currently pulling a 24 foot enclosed trailer cross country and three and four are definitely the working gears in the mountains and hills, they get some exercise!
Excellent how to tutorial. But the extra time of filling from the top and having to re-silicone the shifter tower cap is all extra that could easily be avoided by just filling from the side with a hand pump.
I just bought my first 7.3 with the Zf6 and it can be hard to put into gear. Should you have to muscle a little bit or should it be really smooth and go in like butter?
Hey Brett, that is a great question! Me and a few friends have had this debate because we’ve never driven a ZF6 truck that didn’t feel different than the other. However, if it is tough to go in gear that could mean a few things. Could mean the clutch master and slave need to be bled or the pushrod on the clutch could be worn out. Are gears grinding when you put it in or just tough to shift into?
Sorry but I don’t get the convoluted way you changed the fluid from the top. A small hand pump for that small fluid bottle runs 7-12 bucks. And it even comes with a piece of tube to make the pick up point longer for the taller gear oil bottles. It’s easy to use and you’re not chancing breaking the brittle old plastic trim surround on the shifter boot. But even more so you’re not having to battle the grit and grime sitting on top of the shifter lever cap and chancing getting any dirt inside the trans. This is a simple procedure that I have done many times and I never had to remove the top of the shifter. The only time I removed it was to install a short throw shifter. You just created a bunch of unnecessary work for yourself and there is absolutely no reason to remove the top of that shifter.
About to purchase a 1999 model. Since I don't know the service history on it, I'm thinking it might be worth it to change the fluid, drive it for a couple of heat cycles then change it again.
Not a bad idea, might be helpful to get some Sea Foam trans tune in with the fluid as well, there are some good cleaning agents in there. Maybe run those heat cycles for 500 miles too. Let us know the condition of the fluid when you first drain it, is it dark, does it smell burnt, is it clean etc. etc.
If it smells burnt, what does that indicate? I have some leaking fluid dripping of the transmission housing but can’t tell if it’s engine oil or trans fluid. ‘00 7.3 with ZF6. Thanks!
Hey Alex! Sounds like a synchro issue… however, I worked on a truck recently that had a bad bushing at the clutch pedal to rod. It wouldn’t fully depress the clutch causing issues similar to yours. Cheap part but definitely get it from Ford. Much better quality than aftermarket. Start there!
mine only has 4 bolts on the shift tower? also mine has a pto with a hydro pump, and im pretty sure mine didn't have a level plug where you said. 2006 f550 6.0
@@robertstingley1867 I did some research, you may have a later stronger ZF-6 S6-750 made for more torque. More heavy duty input shaft and other things. Check out this link for the specs. www.dieselhub.com/trans/zf-6-speed.html
thanks for the vid. Did you see a improvement on synchro whine/gear rollover after the change? Any consideration on adding another quart over full? I understand that is a game changer for these ZF6s. I hated pulling my shifter so went with a suction gun to fill it up and park my driver side up on ramps to tip it over for the extra quart.
Thanks for the comment! I definitely saw a decrease in whine and noise, in fact drove cross country 6 times after this video! Good call on the suction pump! Tell us what you noticed with the extra quart? I have not heard that before…
Hey Logan, it puts a little more pressure on the plastic pieces on the side. You don’t want those to fall off and in. Also, when it’s in neutral, it’s a little easier to put back in in the central location.
This was a great walkthrough! I am getting ready to change the trans fluid on my '99 F250 with a ZF6. This will help a lot!
Glad to hear it! Let us know how it goes here or if you have any problems or questions! Good luck!
thanks for such a clear and easy to follow lesson,you should be a shop teacher. you da man
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks, we’ll done video. Will be doing a fluid change in my zf6 soon.
Awesome video. Really helped out. You seem super knowledgeable and actually know what your talking about unlike some of these other ding dongs making videos
I appreciate the kind comment! I’ve watched a ton of videos too and try to add all the things someone else might have left out or that you could possibly run into. if you have any problems feel free to send a message or dm me on Instagram @bryanbuilt360
Great informational video!
Thank you much! I really appreciate the kind feedback!
thanks for the help! I noticed switching from 3rd to 4th i get a little whinning. has 200,000 on it. hopefully the fluid change helps
Hey glad I could be helpful, I’m currently pulling a 24 foot enclosed trailer cross country and three and four are definitely the working gears in the mountains and hills, they get some exercise!
The 5.8 qts is the total capacity. There's oil still in the cooler and lines so it will naturally take less.
Thank you it was a great video 🙂👍
Glad you found it helpful!
Excellent how to tutorial. But the extra time of filling from the top and having to re-silicone the shifter tower cap is all extra that could easily be avoided by just filling from the side with a hand pump.
Thank you
Ty
@@johntheo4729 np!
Great video. Subbed
Well done, thanks!
great info
I just bought my first 7.3 with the Zf6 and it can be hard to put into gear. Should you have to muscle a little bit or should it be really smooth and go in like butter?
Hey Brett, that is a great question! Me and a few friends have had this debate because we’ve never driven a ZF6 truck that didn’t feel different than the other. However, if it is tough to go in gear that could mean a few things. Could mean the clutch master and slave need to be bled or the pushrod on the clutch could be worn out. Are gears grinding when you put it in or just tough to shift into?
I have a similar question and in response to your question I only occasionally get grinding downshifting into 3rd
How are you checking your fluid levels?
I usually use the upper plug on the side of the transmission
Great video, but in my opinion it was easier and faster just going to Walmart and buying a siphon pump for 9 bucks.
Good deal! And I agree, Unfortunately where I was living there ain’t a Walmart or auto parts store for 45 minutes.
@@bryanbuilt360 now that makes a lot more sense 👌
Sorry but I don’t get the convoluted way you changed the fluid from the top. A small hand pump for that small fluid bottle runs 7-12 bucks. And it even comes with a piece of tube to make the pick up point longer for the taller gear oil bottles. It’s easy to use and you’re not chancing breaking the brittle old plastic trim surround on the shifter boot. But even more so you’re not having to battle the grit and grime sitting on top of the shifter lever cap and chancing getting any dirt inside the trans. This is a simple procedure that I have done many times and I never had to remove the top of the shifter. The only time I removed it was to install a short throw shifter.
You just created a bunch of unnecessary work for yourself and there is absolutely no reason to remove the top of that shifter.
About to purchase a 1999 model. Since I don't know the service history on it, I'm thinking it might be worth it to change the fluid, drive it for a couple of heat cycles then change it again.
Not a bad idea, might be helpful to get some Sea Foam trans tune in with the fluid as well, there are some good cleaning agents in there. Maybe run those heat cycles for 500 miles too. Let us know the condition of the fluid when you first drain it, is it dark, does it smell burnt, is it clean etc. etc.
@@bryanbuilt360 I'll probably do a video on it like you did.
If it smells burnt, what does that indicate? I have some leaking fluid dripping of the transmission housing but can’t tell if it’s engine oil or trans fluid. ‘00 7.3 with ZF6. Thanks!
I’m having issues going into 3rd gear when driving. when I shift it doesn’t grab and have to re shift again but grids with clutch in.
Hey Alex! Sounds like a synchro issue… however, I worked on a truck recently that had a bad bushing at the clutch pedal to rod. It wouldn’t fully depress the clutch causing issues similar to yours. Cheap part but definitely get it from Ford. Much better quality than aftermarket. Start there!
mine only has 4 bolts on the shift tower? also mine has a pto with a hydro pump, and im pretty sure mine didn't have a level plug where you said. 2006 f550 6.0
Interesting… you may also have a trans cooler and spin off canister filter as well, they got some different upgrades when the 6.0 came out.
@@bryanbuilt360 do have a trans cooler, no level plug though. might have to drain the whole thing and refill with 8 qts.
@@robertstingley1867 I did some research, you may have a later stronger ZF-6 S6-750 made for more torque. More heavy duty input shaft and other things. Check out this link for the specs.
www.dieselhub.com/trans/zf-6-speed.html
@@bryanbuilt360 mine did have the level plug behind the hydro pump, thank you.
thanks for the vid. Did you see a improvement on synchro whine/gear rollover after the change? Any consideration on adding another quart over full? I understand that is a game changer for these ZF6s. I hated pulling my shifter so went with a suction gun to fill it up and park my driver side up on ramps to tip it over for the extra quart.
Thanks for the comment! I definitely saw a decrease in whine and noise, in fact drove cross country 6 times after this video! Good call on the suction pump! Tell us what you noticed with the extra quart? I have not heard that before…
My truck I just bought has 300k and the transmission oil is black, it has zf6, I think it’s time for a oil change
Hahaha it’s definitely time, I have 304k on mine now. Literally just got done rebuilding my rear. 🤪
Nice, I’m gonna go through all the fluids in the truck and replace them
@@MontanaMechanic that is a great idea! I always do that when I buy something just to have peace of mind
How do you downshift I have nobody to teach me how to drive my f250 and I have trouble driving smoothly in busy traffic
When you truck starts to buck, push in the clutch and put in a lower gear
what happens if you don't put it in neutral?
Hey Logan, it puts a little more pressure on the plastic pieces on the side. You don’t want those to fall off and in. Also, when it’s in neutral, it’s a little easier to put back in in the central location.
What can of oíl
Mercon V Synthetic. You can see how many quarts in the video description