New to the truck had it about a month coming up on diff fluid change for the rear end . Brand names that are approved by Dodge? Can anyone help?

 

Dodge doesn't provide a listing of approved brand names.

The preferences around here vary just as much as peoples taste in engine oil.

Since the factory stuff is synthetic, I'd stick with that and also go with the recommended viscosity GL5 lube. Pick your flavor.

Amsoil, Mobil, Royal Purple, Redline, the list is almost endless.

 

thanks bula

 

I topped mine off with Mobil 1 75W-90. Some Honda S2000 people did some nice comparisons between Mobil 1 and Redline; http://forums.s2ki.com/search/threadview/141409/

 

I actually went so far as to contact American Axle about this. Dodge is handing out all sorts of misinformation and charging $25 a quart for the wrong oil. AA did all their tests with Texaco Synstar 75W-90, and that's what I just put in. I ordered a 5 gallon drum for around $100 incl ship, couldn't find it local, got it from Hightower oil. It feels different since I did, feels like the LSD bites in more in turns than with what they sold it with. Is anyone actually changing at 15K like they recommend? I did it at 20, was a little dirty.

 

[quote author=scrptdr link=board=20;threadid=22621;start=0#msg213722 date=1069721822]
Is anyone actually changing at 15K like they recommend? I did it at 20, was a little dirty.[/quote]I changed to Amsoil @ 18k. Rear diff lube looked ok, not sure what on what to think about what came out of the front. Can't say there's a seat of the pants difference, but I feel better knowing that whats in there is good and fresh.

 

[quote author=scrptdr link=board=20;threadid=22621;start=0#msg213722 date=1069721822]Is anyone actually changing at 15K like they recommend? [/quote]

Yes, I just changed for the second time at 29,400 miles.

 

I'll be changing mine every 15K, with the first change coming up in about 1300 miles.

I'll probably use Mobil 1 because I can get it locally very easy.

 

[quote author=BIG ED link=board=20;threadid=22621;start=0#msg214430 date=1069863424]

Hoss, FWIW somone over on the TDR stated if you read the Mobil 1 bottle carefully it says that it's not a "full" synthetic. I have not read the whole bottle myself to clarify but it's worth looking into if thats your choice of oil.
[/quote] That's common with many synthetic lubes. They still use a small amount of mineral oil as the carrier for the additive package chemistry. Some tell you, some don't.

 

Interesting.

Well, if it meets the specs called out in the Owner's Manual I'll probably still use it anyway. I don't know of anything better than Mobil 1 that I can get locally.

 

I'm going to change mine with Redline when the time comes. I may also put on an aftermarket cover while i'm at it too.

 

I'd put an aftermarket cover on mine, but $225 for a Mag Hytec seems a bit ridiculous to me for a differential cover. :

 

[quote author=Hoss link=board=20;threadid=22621;start=0#msg214473 date=1069868008]
I'd put an aftermarket cover on mine, but $225 for a Mag Hytec seems a bit ridiculous to me for a differential cover. :
[/quote]

I tend to agree. I think they look really cool and it sure would be nice to be able to use the drain plug etc, but when it comes down to it, do they really give that much performance improvement to justify the cost?- Meaning do they really add enough capacity to extend the life of the rear end?

 

[quote author=Hoss link=board=20;threadid=22621;start=0#msg214473 date=1069868008]
I'd put an aftermarket cover on mine, but $225 for a Mag Hytec seems a bit ridiculous to me for a differential cover. :
[/quote]

Someone posted a link to these guys in another thread. They are $150.

http://www.yourcovers.com/newdifferential.htm