approaching 100k miles, looking for opinions on my tune up

[LONO100]

Hey all, I'm just a couple hundred miles away from hitting 100k miles on my 03 trac. Its just about due for an oil change, and I recently replaced the fuel filter. The belts are still looking brand new, and I changed the diff oil last summer. Any thoughts on my 100k tune up? I know ill be doing the spark plugs and wires, any thoughts on brands? What else should I look into doing? I was thinking a transmission flush, I recently discovered that the guy who owned it before me did one at 50k miles. Tire rotation is due as well, and I just got a new deep cycle agm battery. Any opinions, info or shared experiences from those who have crossed 6 digit territory will be appreciated. Thanks in advance fellas!

 

[LONO100]

Btw, for my trac's 100k mile birthday, my sweet gf ordered up a set of aux lights that I had been long lagging on. They are two procomp 6 x 9's. I'll have pics of the install ad soon as they come in.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

For plugs use one Autolite or Motorcraft oem plugs (the 4.0 hates anything else). Wires, Accell wires are good, I have a set of Live Wires from Zabteck. Com. Clean your IAC, MAF, Throttle body (remove TB and remove blade to get the gummed up stuff off good). Good time to repack or replace front wheel bearings being 2wd. Grease all fittings. If you haven't replaced the driveshaft u joints it'd be a good idea. There's projects for all of these here on this site as well as MyST.

 

[LONO100]

thanks rebel, u-joints and wheel bearings are a good call. IAC, throttle body and MAF cleaning are already on the docket. i think i have a small leak on the rear main seal. gonna take some pics, and post of it later today.

 

[05dakotatrac]

not sure if you can replace the rear main seal on these without trans/engine removal

 

[Markaprice73]

Congrats! +1 on Rebel's suggestions..as far as transmission. I would recommend just dropping the tranny pan, change the tranny filter, and replace the lost trans fluid.(about half) Then, do it again in a year. Lots of opinions on this. But, I was in the same situation as you and this is what I did and I have no trans issues. Im now at 150k.
Also, I recommend a complete brake fluid change. If its been awhile or ever(?). You can DIY.
I used Autolite APP103 Double Platinum Spark Plugs and Motorcraft WR-6120 Spark Plug Wire Kit. Works perfect.
I have a very slight leak in my rear main as well(hold the jokes fellas.ha). Ive been monitoring it for some time now. Like dakota said. The trans has to be removed. It's like $500-$600 I believe. I've come to the conclusion, after questions with it, just to let it go until really bad, it could take years. A drop or two here and there is nothing to worry about. But, I'm saving for this day that will come eventually. (not DIY for me) Double check to be sure it's not leaking from behind the intake manifold gaskets. Supposedly, the engine oil can travel down around the bell housing metal plate separator and gather at the bottom looking like a rear main leak. Clean her up under there and look really well. Good luck and keep us posted.
EDIT: I meant VALVE COVER(s) Gaskets...not intake manifold gaskets

 

[LONO100]

If I do a brake fluid change I might just have a shop do it. Brake fluid is nasty stuff. I'll probably deal with the leak when I dig into my 4x4 conversion. Its not too bad, and I'm not even sure if its the rear main seal. Thanks for the tips fellas, I'll be taking the trac to the day spa (my garage) for her tune up this weekend along with installing my new pro comp aux lights!

 

[Markaprice73]

Sounds like a good weekend to me
..Brake fluid is recommended to be changed every 2-3 years. Many reasons for this. I will spare all the details on this thread though. I would just be sure to emphasize at a reputable repair facility that you want a full brake fluid change. Bled from all calipers. I have heard from sources that some places(even dealerships) "turkey baste" the brake fluid from the resovoir (master cylinder) and just fill it back up. "Technically" the fluid is changed because most of the capacity is in the resovoir. This leaves all the old brake fluid in the lines to each caliper. Pointless IMO. Just sits there and eats away at the lines. Because brake fluid is hygroscopic. Absorbs moisture.(from the air) Affecting boiling point. In your case, going down those mountains you could get a spongy pedal. Anywho, just trying to help. Not trying to scare ya though. I have gone many years not changing my brake fluid on vehicles and it was fine. I didn't care much about those vehicles like I do my ST though.