97 Explorer V8 AWD Front Diff Oil Change

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Mar 10, 2004 | 02:16 PM

rb26powered

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Joined: Aug 2003

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From: Monterey

97 Explorer V8 AWD Front Diff Oil Change

This question relates to a 97 Explorer V8 with AWD. Just wondering if anyone has any info on what type of oil the front differential and transfer case uses.
2nd question is where is the drain and fill plugs on the front diff located?
thanks!

Mar 15, 2004 | 08:08 AM

fiddler5.0

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Ford doesn’t recommend changing the oil in the differentials & transfer case (5.0 AWD only) because they use synthetic oil, check your owners manual to verify. Fiddler5.0

Mar 15, 2004 | 01:01 PM

rb26powered

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From: Monterey

I don't trust the factory standards. Would feel much more comfortable changing the fluids as I have 110K miles on my Explorer. I'll bet 1K dollars that there's crap in there.

Aug 3, 2004 | 02:47 PM

cockytex

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I just tore down the front diff on my 96 AWD with about 98K miles and the oil was clean. No particles, shavings, etc. There would have been no reason to change the oil outside of the Ford recommendations.