Front/Rear differential ? Help
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Front/Rear differential ? Help
Alright guys, I have a 2004 F150, FX4, V8 Triton 5.4 liter engine. I need to know what you all recommend for changing the front and rear differential fluid. And how much to use for each. Please help asap, I want to change it asap.
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Red Line 75W-140 (GL-5+) in the rear diff and Red Line 75W-140 or 75W-90 (GL-5+) in the front diff. 3 qts rear, 2 qts front, no friction modifier needed with this fluid.
You can get the fluid directly from redlineoil.com or from ogracing.com, dougherbert.com, Summit, and plenty of other places.
The next best bet (IMO) would be Amsoil Severe Gear in the same weight. You can get both Red Line and Amsoil SG for $10-$12/qt on the 'net, which is way cheaper than you can get Motorcraft 75W-140 Synthetic from the dealer, plus these fluids don't need that $7 bottle of friction modifier, all on top of being superior/higher end gear oils.
I recommend Motorcraft TA-31 for RTV, seals like a mother, is designed to handle high temps and drys in 1 hour.
You can get the fluid directly from redlineoil.com or from ogracing.com, dougherbert.com, Summit, and plenty of other places.
The next best bet (IMO) would be Amsoil Severe Gear in the same weight. You can get both Red Line and Amsoil SG for $10-$12/qt on the 'net, which is way cheaper than you can get Motorcraft 75W-140 Synthetic from the dealer, plus these fluids don't need that $7 bottle of friction modifier, all on top of being superior/higher end gear oils.
I recommend Motorcraft TA-31 for RTV, seals like a mother, is designed to handle high temps and drys in 1 hour.
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If in doubt just look at your usage: if you're a casual off roader, using 4x4 to ride trails, occasional pulling, (i.e. limited stress on the diff) I would use 75W-90, if you're a hard core off roader hitting mud bogs, etc. (really working the heck out of the front diff and getting it HOT) I would use 75W-140.
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How do Amsoil's test results line up with results obtained by an independent third party?
vs.
Petroleum Quality Intitute of America
Wierd, huh?
I do think Amsoil makes a very good product for the most part, but I take their white papers and bench tests with a grain of salt as should everyone.
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Elder User
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Yep, on the side of the front diff. housing facing the passenger side of the truck.
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From: Rural Central Ohio
Man for anyone that is doing the front differential fluid, I would highly recommend picking up a set of ratcheting wrenches. The top bolt is nearly impossible to get to without them. The bolts for the cover are 1/2" for future reference.
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The front diff is just like the rear diff. Pull the diff cover, let the fluid drop into a pan, scrape the cover and mating surface on the diff, then re-seal it and bolt the cover back on. The fill plug is on the side of the diff pumpkin, just fill until the fluid level is at the bottom of the fill plug (2 qts).
The transfer case has 2 plugs on the back, a drain hole and a fill hole. Just drain then refill until the fluid level is at the bottom of the fill hole (2 qts). The transfer case is downright easy.
I use a hand pump to refill the transfer case and the front diff, as getting a funnel in there is pretty tough.
The transfer case has 2 plugs on the back, a drain hole and a fill hole. Just drain then refill until the fluid level is at the bottom of the fill hole (2 qts). The transfer case is downright easy.
I use a hand pump to refill the transfer case and the front diff, as getting a funnel in there is pretty tough.
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What did you end up doing?
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New User
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I haven't changed either differential(s) yet. I changed the tranny fluid/filter, and the motor oil/filter. I'm going to change the differential(s) in a couple weeks. I do appreciate your help! I will be ordering the fluid from Redline when I change them, I have already checked out their website.