CarbonSteel's 2023 Wildtrak Build + Maintenance Journal (Filters, Fluids, Oil Changes Etc)

[CarbonSteel]

Great information in this thread, thank you for the details. How did you install your restriction gauge, assuming that you did?

Happy to help!

I had one on my Wrangler, but not on the Bronco. It is an easy install though, drill one hole (size escapes me at the moment) into the box below the filter, coat the nipple with air filter grease and install it.

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[CarbonSteel]

Did a little maintenance yesterday — changed the oil. It was a short run, which served two purposes: to determine the fuel dilution rates and to return me to a regular mileage interval with a UOA to follow. I will also change the rear axle fluid and cover soon, and will perform a UOA on the fluid as well. I had a 1/8" NPT bung welded into a new FP cover for a temperature probe and had it re-powder coated black. I may put my current FP cover up for sale for a reasonable price, as I will not need two of them.

I also changed the air filter. Although the silicon has continued to drop, as shown in my UOAs--the tell-tale sign for replacing the filter would be when the silicon rises--after two years and 30,000 miles of hot under-hood temperatures and operating in dusty Colorado, I decided to change it before winter sets in.

Without question, this was the easiest filter to change on any modern vehicle I have owned. There are four bolts and one push pin to loosen/remove, and the cover lifts straight off--no wrestling with a big hose clamp or fighting to remove the intake hose from the cover. The filter itself comes right out by lifting on the edge opposite the opening, and it installs the same way. The inlet of the filter fits very snugly on the inlet opening and seals well.

I went with the aFe Magnum FLOW Pro DRY S Air Filter after spending some time looking at it and the S&B filter. I am not and have never been a fan of oiled filters--particularly K&N. Most, if not all, of these types of filters sacrifice filtering capability for flow, which typically means they allow more contaminants to pass through the media. They also present the risk of, when overoiled, allowing oil to enter the intake system, which could cause a MAF/MAP sensor to fail. The S&B filter that is available is an oiled model.

**EDIT - thanks to @redone17 he noted S&B also makes a dry media model and I may grab one and attempt to do a test between it and the aFe to see if there are any differences in silicon rates.**

One thing to note, as seen in the photos, is that it **appears** the OEM filter has more media area, although the aFe media could be more efficient, which would offset the apparent reduced media area.

Comparing the OEM filter to the aFE, one has to note the OEM is well-made, though there was some waviness in the media:

Here is the OEM still in the air box:

Here is the aFe installed:

Here are a few shots of the OEM from 4 viewpoints:

And finally, a couple of shots of the interior of the OEM:

 

[redone17]

The S&B filter that is available is an oiled model.

S&B makes a dry extendable. The link you provided is for their custom intake. They have a factory replacement as well. In the link I provided you have a choice between Oiled or Dry Extendable. Specifically its model 66-5016D.

They make a dry for the custom intake as well.

I’ve been running one for the last 30k or so. I run the aFe in our Ranger. They’re both nice construction. I really should run more recent UOAs on both.

One thing I noticed on my Bronco filter I couldn’t get it cleaned with just hose water. I recently bought the aFe Dry Filter Cleaner and tested it on our Ranger filter and it made it look brand new. Assuming the S&B materials are similar and it would have similar results. I couldn’t get an answer from S&B on any suggestions beyond their video which relies heavily on living in dusty dry areas.

Also, it appears to me that S&B has updated their design and now has the wire mesh around the outside of the media. I’m waiting for a new one in the mail (I had a split in the flange and they replaced it under warranty - no questions asked even several years later). I’ll confirm the redesign.

 

[CarbonSteel]

S&B makes a dry extendable. The link you provided is for their custom intake. They have a factory replacement as well. In the link I provided you have a choice between Oiled or Dry Extendable. Specifically its model 66-5016D.

They make a dry for the custom intake as well.

I’ve been running one for the last 30k or so. I run the aFe in our Ranger. They’re both nice construction. I really should run more recent UOAs on both.

One thing I noticed on my Bronco filter I couldn’t get it cleaned with just hose water. I recently bought the aFe Dry Filter Cleaner and tested it on our Ranger filter and it made it look brand new. Assuming the S&B materials are similar and it would have similar results. I couldn’t get an answer from S&B on any suggestions beyond their video which relies heavily on living in dusty dry areas.

Also, it appears to me that S&B has updated their design and now has the wire mesh around the outside of the media. I’m waiting for a new one in the mail (I had a split in the flange and they replaced it under warranty - no questions asked even several years later). I’ll confirm the redesign.

Thanks for the link. I thought that S&B made a dry model, but could not find it on their site. I may do a comparison between the two using UOAs to see if there is a difference in the silicon levels.

 

[l88m22vette]

Hey, I was looking at post 5 from way back at the start of your thread, and have bought everything. I need to do a full drivetrain fluid swap. I've read through the post and watched the videos, but I saw this comment right at the end about the three magnetic plugs. Does that replace the drain plugs on the front diff, transfer case, and rear diff?

Magnetic Drain Plugs:

3 Each (if replacing all to be the same) - Low-Pressure 316 Stainless Steel Plug with Hex Drive, Hollow with Magnet, 1/2 Pipe Size https://www.mcmaster.com/1457N14

 

[CarbonSteel]

Hey, I was looking at post 5 from way back at the start of your thread, and have bought everything. I need to do a full drivetrain fluid swap. I've read through the post and watched the videos, but I saw this comment right at the end about the three magnetic plugs. Does that replace the drain plugs on the front diff, transfer case, and rear diff?

The 3 are for the rear cover. Only the drain is magnetic from Ford Performance. I wanted all of them to be magnetic so I bought 3 exactly the same. The front axle has a magnetic plug too. The transfer case does not do if you want one, it will have to be purchased.

 

[Billison_]

Just curious when you or anyone on here changed to the ppe pan, did you change the filter and the filter seal? I’m playinghell trying to find the filter seal part number.. My dealership said it’s only sold with the pump… crazy. I also am just gonna bend 1/4” aluminum tubing to make the fill candy cane pipe. Was hoping to see if anyone had one and see what size tubing it’s made of.

 

[CarbonSteel]

Just curious when you or anyone on here changed to the ppe pan, did you change the filter and the filter seal? I’m playinghell trying to find the filter seal part number.. My dealership said it’s only sold with the pump… crazy. I also am just gonna bend 1/4” aluminum tubing to make the fill candy cane pipe. Was hoping to see if anyone had one and see what size tubing it’s made of.

It's not just sold with the pump. Here it is:

I'm almost positive it's quarter inch steel tubing for the one that I have. When I get home I can take a picture of it with a tape measure to give you an idea of what size it is.

 

[Billison_]

It's not just sold with the pump. Here it is:

I'm almost positive it's quarter inch steel tubing for the one that I have. When I get home I can take a picture of it with a tape measure to give you an idea of what size it is.

You’re the man! Thank you so much!

 

[CarbonSteel]

I also am just gonna bend 1/4” aluminum tubing to make the fill candy cane pipe. Was hoping to see if anyone had one and see what size tubing it’s made of.

Here you go:

It is 5/16" OD and 1/8" ID. The "curve" is 2.9" OD and 2.35" ID. The length of the short part of the cane is 2.9" and the long part is 12".

 

[Billison_]

Here you go:

It is 5/16" OD and 1/8" ID. The "curve" is 2.9" OD and 2.35" ID. The length of the short part of the cane is 2.9" and the long part is 12".

Perfect! I should just make a bunch of these and sell them for Pennie’s on the dollar on here lol.

 

[CarbonSteel]

Perfect! I should just make a bunch of these and sell them for Pennie’s on the dollar on here lol.

1000%

 

[Billison_]

1000%

Hey man one more question, would a 19mm crows foot work on the dipstick better than an extended flex ratcheting wrench?

 

[CarbonSteel]

Hey man one more question, would a 19mm crows foot work on the dipstick better than an extended flex ratcheting wrench?

Mine was so *%$^$@#$ tight that I used a 6 point wrench on it and it still slightly rounded off. I bought a new one before I started the process and ended up installing the new one when I closed it up.

 

[Billison_]

Mine was so *%$^$@#$ tight that I used a 6 point wrench on it and it still slightly rounded off. I bought a new one before I started the process and ended up installing the new one when I closed it up.

Oh yikes! Well I may just get a flarenut crows foot and see how that goes. Thanks for the heads up!

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