View Poll Results: How often should I change differential and transfer case fluid?
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Differential and Transfer Case Poll
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Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Utopia
Differential and Transfer Case Poll
I know some owner's manuals say maintenance isn't necessary or do not list a spec.
I use my truck offroad everyday and engage the transfer case at least 3x/week.
1/3 of my 30k miles/yr are off-highway.
How often should I change the fluids?
I use my truck offroad everyday and engage the transfer case at least 3x/week.
1/3 of my 30k miles/yr are off-highway.
How often should I change the fluids?
Last edited by Customz; Jun 28, 2006 at 04:49 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 10,600
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From: Carhenge
Depends on how you use it. If you do a lot of towing, or out in the mud and water a lot, you probably ought to service it every 30,000 or less. If it's a pavement princess grocery getter, maybe 100,000 interval is sufficient.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Phenix City, AL
How often do the axles get submerged in water?
If they don't and you are running the synthetic, then you shouldn't have to worry about it until 100K.
If you are routinely in water / mud that comes over the end of the axle tubes, then you are gonna want to do it more often and 25K is not unreasonable.
It's all in how the truck is used. But at $72 for 4 qts of Motorcraft Synthetic 75W-140, you'll figure out real quick how often you need to change it. Man, I'm glad I don't have the LS in the back any more and can run regular old gear oil (just had to put in a $800 locker
).
If they don't and you are running the synthetic, then you shouldn't have to worry about it until 100K.
If you are routinely in water / mud that comes over the end of the axle tubes, then you are gonna want to do it more often and 25K is not unreasonable.
It's all in how the truck is used. But at $72 for 4 qts of Motorcraft Synthetic 75W-140, you'll figure out real quick how often you need to change it. Man, I'm glad I don't have the LS in the back any more and can run regular old gear oil (just had to put in a $800 locker
).
Last edited by BFR250SD; Jun 28, 2006 at 05:29 PM.
Thread Starter
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Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Utopia
I'm pretty sure I have submerged the front once already, @ about 5k and never changed it. I have 19k now.
I pressure wash the undercarriage often.
The truck is offroad a 1/3 of the time, goes on road trips and gets groceries.
They are HARD miles in every sense of the word.
I pressure wash the undercarriage often.
The truck is offroad a 1/3 of the time, goes on road trips and gets groceries.
They are HARD miles in every sense of the word.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2004
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From: Melbourne, Aus
Mine was 50k, but I changed it everytime I submerged it with hot axles...
I used to try and wait for the axles to cool down before I went through water, but unfortunately that can't always be done. I did move the transfer case and diff breathers up higher - one of the first things I realised when I went through water was that the transfer case filled with water!!!
I used to try and wait for the axles to cool down before I went through water, but unfortunately that can't always be done. I did move the transfer case and diff breathers up higher - one of the first things I realised when I went through water was that the transfer case filled with water!!!
Postmaster
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Originally Posted by BigF350
I did move the transfer case and diff breathers up higher
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: SoCali!!
Customz,
I am into preventative maintenance in a major way. I abuse my truck pretty hard, and maybe overmaintaining it makes me feel better. I have a Detroit in the rear of my truck, 4.30's, and Mag-Hytec diff. covers front and rear. Even though the diffs have extra capacity, I still don't let the gear oil go over 30k. That goes for the the trans. and transfer case also, even with the Mercon sp at 17.00 a qt. BTW, I pressure wash and maintain underneath my vehicles as well as the sheetmetal, I love it when people ask me "you ever off-road this thing?" and then whip out pics of it in sand, snow or mud!
Tim
I am into preventative maintenance in a major way. I abuse my truck pretty hard, and maybe overmaintaining it makes me feel better. I have a Detroit in the rear of my truck, 4.30's, and Mag-Hytec diff. covers front and rear. Even though the diffs have extra capacity, I still don't let the gear oil go over 30k. That goes for the the trans. and transfer case also, even with the Mercon sp at 17.00 a qt. BTW, I pressure wash and maintain underneath my vehicles as well as the sheetmetal, I love it when people ask me "you ever off-road this thing?" and then whip out pics of it in sand, snow or mud!
Tim
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2005
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I've just finished rebuilding my 4R100. While I was at it, I decided to drain the transfer case. What came out was a beautiful golden color. Obviously, it is not a standard Mercon ATF. Now, I'm wondering what it was because it was so nice and clean, I want to go back with the same stuff. Any ideas?
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2005
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Maybe just a little. I'm thinking it must have been a synthetic or synthetic blend. It's also possible that it was just a premium light gear oil. I got the truck with 120,000 miles on it. That was 88,000 miles ago. It's a '99 7.3. I'll be filling both cases up tomorrow and taking it for its first test run. Pray for me...
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2005
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I went back with Royal Purple. Now I just have to decide when I'm going to do the first oil change on an overhauled transmission. I'm using O'Reilley's house brand fluid for this first break-in period. I don't know if I should wait 10,000 miles or go for a full year before I swap it out for synthetic. I'm not even sure if I should go full synthetic. It becomes a question of change it more often or go longer with a synthetic. Which is best? Which makes more sense?
Inquiring minds want to know.
Inquiring minds want to know.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,268
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From: central Louisiana
my first change was when i changed my gears.........at 25K! i then changed the fluids again at 50K after towing a truck and trailer from NC to LA. now i plan on every 50K, since it's driven daily, and starting in March it will be towing a race truck at least 2x a month till SEPT.