Fluid recomendations
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 403
Likes: 18
From: Alberta, Canada
Don fall victim to marketing manipulation. Because gear oil is not subject to a combustion process like engine oil, it will basically last forever as long as its not contaminated or overheated. There isnt anything the stuff on the shelf has that the stuff in your differential or tranny doesn't have in it.....unless there was a significant change in the recipe which would justify a need to change. The only reason you want to change on routine maintenance is to make sure there isnt water or debris inside or if you need to change viscosity weight. Need conformation?.....check the front differential lube on a part time 4wd (94-01) and you'll find nice honey colored oil in there.....unless water or condensation was allowed to enter somehow. Thats not me telling anyone not to pay attention and regularly check fluid conditions but to mindlessly change every 30k miles or so is simply throwing money away.
Running smoothly now Captain!
Cheers!
Mike
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,179
Likes: 142
From: The "real" Northern CA
Sorry to hear you had problems with running synthetic. Maybe it was the brand you chose? Not all synthetics are worthy and not all are as slippery as others are either. So even though they claim to have friction modifier in it, sometimes having to add more friction modifier to stop LS clutch chatter can be necessary for some oil brands. I only say that because towing 12k is heavy for regular 80-90 and I wouldn't want you to hurt your differential from excessive heat. I tow a heavy 5th wheel too and to keep the Dana 80 happy, I installed full synthetic 75-140 since I occasionally tow in triple digit summer heat. And I also installed a differential temperature gauge to make sure it doesn't get too hot.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,179
Likes: 142
From: The "real" Northern CA
I unfortunately dont have a lot of data compiled since I've I installed the tranny and differential temp about 8 months ago and have only driven the truck a handful of times since then. But I will say that of the few times I've had the chance to tow my 12k-15k 5th wheel toy hauler (depending on how much I load it), I have seen temps up around 175*-180* in the differential. Strangely though, if I'm cruising down the freeway for longer periods of time, the unloaded temps aren't to much cooler. That only tells me that the synthetic 75-140 I have in there is doing a great job of lubing under the weight of the 5th wheel, or that the viscosity of 140 is causing higher hypoid running temps than I think, or that the Dana 80 is more capable than I give it credit for. Thats not saying I think its weak either but that the drivetrain in the Dodge Cummins is stronger than it could be in relation to stock weight ratings of the trucks.
Here's a picture of the tranny coolers and thermocouple and of the thermocouple in the differential. Also, I have intentions of upgrading to a MagHytec but maybe if the temps stay in control.....I wont.
Here's a picture of the tranny coolers and thermocouple and of the thermocouple in the differential. Also, I have intentions of upgrading to a MagHytec but maybe if the temps stay in control.....I wont.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 475
Likes: 0
From: Pemberton NJ
don fall victim to marketing manipulation. Because gear oil is not subject to a combustion process like engine oil, it will basically last forever as long as its not contaminated or overheated. There isnt anything the stuff on the shelf has that the stuff in your differential or tranny doesn't have in it.....unless there was a significant change in the recipe which would justify a need to change. The only reason you want to change on routine maintenance is to make sure there isnt water or debris inside or if you need to change viscosity weight. Need conformation?.....check the front differential lube on a part time 4wd (94-01) and you'll find nice honey colored oil in there.....unless water or condensation was allowed to enter somehow. Thats not me telling anyone not to pay attention and regularly check fluid conditions but to mindlessly change every 30k miles or so is simply throwing money away.
bingo!!!!!
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