i have been changing all my fluids in my truck i did my oil, t case, front and rear diff and i did the trans and the filter.. im thinking about doing coolant as well. my truck is a 2005 with 57k on it. my edge tuner stays happy at like 188-192 degrees when at operating temp.. do you guys think its worth changing that and the thermostat and gasket? or to just wait.. i was thinking about doing a brake flush as well possibly power steering?
any input thanks guys

and how much coolant does she take? someone said 12 quarts? 3 gallons?

 

Owners manual says 20.9 quarts

 

I wouldn't really bother with power steering, to my knowledge the power steering fluid eventually dissipates and you simply add more from time to time. I could be wrong though, because that's how European manufacturers are with their specific power steering fluid. Ford may use something else like Mercon.

I'd definitely look into bleeding the brakes if you haven't done so yet. That's something that's critical. Get a power bleeder. It pays for itself the first time around.

Personally I always change the thermostat, gasket and upper/lower rad hoses when flushing the coolant. Sounds like a bit much but I do it properly. Hell, it may cost more in parts but you're already saving on labour.

 

Brake fluid (DOT 3) bleed/change would be good for that age truck. ($300 at dealer) Most of us use a turkey baster or giant syringe to draw out old power steering fluid then refill (MERCON ATF). ($130 at dealer)

 

Thanks guys for your input. im gonna bleed the brakes and do the coolant as well. thanks alot guys.. could i do a 50/50 mix of the ford coolant and water (distilled water)

 

I did both these jobs a couple weeks ago. Grab two quarts of brake fluid. It takes a lot of pumping to get the old green crap out and get clear fluid coming through. Pretty easy job, especially because Ford (I believe TRW made the brakes for these trucks?) puts awesome rubber caps over the bleeder holes. I've had some on other trucks there were beyond corroded.

For the coolant flush, grab two undiluted gallons of MC gold. You'll have some left over, but its better to have too much than not enough. Replace the thermostat and gasket while you're at it.

I didn't "flush" mine, as it was 20 some degrees the day I did it so I had no access to a hose. I just left the drain open, and dumped 2-liter bottles of clean tap water through the upper rad hose to get some of the crap out. I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't that dirty.

Check your hoses, and remove the coolant reservoir and clean it out. I just used plain dish soap and rinsed it out completely. Fill it back up with a 50/50 mix, start it up and let it run to op temp, turn it off and let cool. Fill resevoir to proper level, and repeat.

Keep that extra coolant in your truck for a few days and keep checking the level just to be sure.

 

Thanks man.. you used a 50/50 mix in your rad?

 

As close as I could get it just using empty water jugs. I aired on the side of extra coolant when mixing because I live in MI. It's pretty close to a 50 50 mix tho.