Yes that is ok. If you were not using full syn motor oil then I would say change it every 6 months or 3,000 miles, whichever is sooner.

 

Yes.

Cheers,

Pete

 

Another thing no one has mentioned are the other fluids that are checked (if you don't do this yourself) with a full service oil change. I had a transfer case crack on me because I went to long without having my oil changed in a jeep cherokee sport. If you do go longer than 3000 miles I would be sure and check the transmission, transfer case, etc and make sure your driveshaft is well greased. Just a thought for those non-do-it-yourselfers.

 

A t-case will not crack because of dirty fluid. Whoever told you that was blowing smoke up your skirt.
Not to say that your t-case didnt crack, just it didnt happen because of dirty fluid. Unless it seized.

But check your diffs, trannyand t-case every 6 months. Change the fluid in the t-case, diffs and tranny every 50,000 miles.
Change your engine coolant every 30,000 miles.
And of course if you have leaks then check the fluids more often.

 

Change your diffs and t/case every 30,000 using only synthetic gear oil , either a 85/90 or for HD use an 85W/140.
If you do lots of water crossing check and change the diffs more frequently.

 

I just got my '03 and want to take really good care of it, but don't want to break the bank doing it. I currently drive on average less than 1000 miles a year. How often do I really need to change the oil to make sure my truck is taken care of? In my old Honda, I usually changed it about every 6 months.

 

6 months is my standard for vehicles in storage (1000 miles a year qualifies). I had my 1997 F150 in storage for nearly 2 years. I changed the oil after 6 months (running Royal Purple) and again right after I brought it out its exile. And then I sold it for my Rover.

Cheers,

Pete

 

Change the oil every 6 months and the oil filter every 12 months.
This is assuming that you are going to use full synthetic motor oil.
If you are going to use dino oil then change both every 6 months.
Make sure that you always keep the gas tank full to keep condensation out of the gas.

 

Good point on the petrol (gas just sounds funny, maybe I should grow up ). Stabil is a fuel additive which keeps the petrol from gelling. Always a smart thing to do. I installed a Accusump preoiler on my F150 to pressurize the oil galleries before starting it. Worked well and added 3 quarts of engine oil to the 6 I already had in the sump. 9 quart oil changes are expensive!

Cheers,

Pete