Aggie, I see you run Zapco amps, nice. What model do you run?

 

Yeah, I posted that in the first post. Man, the fluid recommendations are all over the place here. Sounds like it doesn't really matter what you use as long as it isn't water.

 

Sorry, I'm missed that. Yeah I know what you mean. Really, all oils have to meet the GL ratings or what ever they're call... I just changed my rear diff out two weeks ago for the first time. I've had no chatter or howl using the Lucas diff oil. You can use the lighter grade if you don't tow heavy. My diff fluid had around 35,000 miles on it, still looked real good. After I poped the cover off and saw the condition of the fluid, I was like why did I even bother?

Pick a name brand you're familiar with and go for it, life's too short. Save the worry and speculation for when you're shopping for a aftermarket tranny vendor.

 

Thats easy, everybody knows the only aftermarket tranny to get is _______

~Rob

 

48RE and leave it alone.

 

A little side note...

I did find on the 1996 Dodge Ram's the magnet is in the bottom of the pumpin housing... So take a rag and wipe off the magnet in the bottom of the housing. I know that the 2002 has the magnet in the fill plug.

Just figure I would add the two cents to save a good rear end!!!

 

Magnet? What are you talking about?

 

Really? BigBlue's saying that cure time is 30 minutes.

 

Most just put the sillicone on the cover, let it sit for 30 mins or so so it gets a bit of a skin and then install.

 

What he said.

I was just saying that on the Permatex Ultra Black I have, it states on the tube "Silicon fully cures in 24 hours".

It will set earlier than that (as was stated, in 30-60 minutes). Of course with the Texas heat, it will cure quicker

~Rob

 

I did my pumpkins last week and traced the cover w/ holes on paper, took that to auto zone and found that fel-pro makes gaskets for these. I can get you the number tomorrow. Ifound that looking up my truck showed 'no listing'. So, we looked up some older rigs with similar diffs. I just feel that using a gasket is easier. E-mail me if you want those numbers. HTH

 

On my Mom's 1996 Dodge RAM it has a square vinyl magnet inside the housing on the bottom it is about 1.5" x 1.5" magnet...

On my 02 it is the filler plug... the magnet built into it...

 

The info on the pre-made gasket would have helped earlier this afternoon. The job has since been completed using RTV silicon. Would still be interested in the part numbers though!

What I was wondering about the magnet was WHY it was there. I've since learned that it's there to collect metal shavings that come off the diff gears during the break-in process.

 

Worthington Dodge in Carlsbad, CA sold me rubber pre-made gaskets for the front and rear pumpkins. I also have RTV just in case. The gaskets are reusable as well.

 

I believe that's because yours is a 2003.