When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
There is plenty of research, including by GM, that shows there is a definite advantage to changing the diff fluid by 10K. So if you haven't already, I would change that for sure. The Torqueshift is another matter. I have OA's that show it is capable of going longer than 30K. The tranny has a bypass filter that does a great job, coupled with a cooler and great design and this tranny is awesome. None the less, for about $20-25 you can drain the pan and replace only that fluid and be set for another 25-30K. Its your dime and your truck.
There is plenty of research, including by GM, that shows there is a definite advantage to changing the diff fluid by 10K. So if you haven't already, I would change that for sure.
The studies (GM and LockheedMartin) showed that removing the break in particles that are present in the fluid greatly increased the life of the diff. Since the fluid isn't filtered, it makes alot of sense. Those metal particles are flowing around the gears getting mashed into the bearing surfaces.
My first thought though when I read the article was, who cares anyway, diffs last a long time! I have only had one fail and that was in a 3/4 ton van, Dodge BTW, loaded heavy most of the time. The side gears had severe galling and wear, but the van had about 120K on it. Who knows if it ever had a change of fluid since new.
Thing to remember though is that todays diffs operate in a harsher environment than they used to, yet they really haven't changed much over the years. More powerful engines, less cooling via air flow, bigger stock tires, etc.
I will look around and see if I can find the article lying around here, has to be somewhere, I don't throw things away.
Actually, I know for a fact I have the side gears out in the garage. I would take a picture of those if I knew how to post one. I'm not much of a supporter.