I am coming up on time to change all the fluids in my truck. Did a search to see which oils are providing the best results in performance etc and there is just way too much conflicting info out there. I do not want this thread to become a long argument on which oils are best, but I would like some opinions on which oil brands, weights and type (dino/synthetic) have proven over time to work best in the third gens. I need to change oil in both diffs, transmission and transfer case.
My tranni sometimes is a bit notchy when shifting and I keep reading how Redline makes if smoother. Is this still true?
In another search in an attempt to find out the best anti-freeze for my truck I also found that there is a lot of conflicting info out there. Is there anybody out in DTR land that has some definative answers on this?
In all cases I need a product that will not void my warranty and also extend the life of each componant..
Any other tips that can be offered will be much appreciated.
Thanks.

 

First of all... you are to be commended for periodically changing ALL your fluids...

Secondly... I'll make your choice of fluids VERY EASY for you ... "RTFM !!!"... "Read The Fine Manual !!!"... OR update yourself with the genuine manufacturer's recommendations at your dealer...

A quick note on coolants tho'... The new 5-year coolants are excellent products... The 2 most prominent being...

GM / Texaco orange-colored DEXCOOL... OAT... Organic Acid Technology...

Mopar / Xerex G-05 yellow colored... HOAT... Hybrid Organic Acid Technology...

Either choce is very good, they are still ethylene-glycol based, but with VERY PREMIUM FORMULA to prevent acidity, corrosion, cavitation, electrolysis over the very long term... provided they are never mixed with another product, including standard traditional antifreeze... If mixed, or even add a llttle of another, they will simply revert to the quality of standard coolant, losing their PREMIUM protection and long-life level...

If you use either of the above you must start with a whistle-clean flushed-out system to avoid the "contamination" from mixing old stuff still present...

You can also use the STANDARD, traditional, good name brand ethylene-glycol antifreeze... Highly recommened, however, is to use with the standard glycol, one of the Big-3 Diesel Manufacturers' SCA (Supplemental Coolant Additive) package, i.e. ...

Detroit Diesel's Pencool 3000...
Cummins Fleet Guard...
Caterpillar Coolant Supplement...

...following their spicific directions... once choosing... stick eith one... don't mix 'em... One of these three, treating conventional coolant, will also prevent acidity, corrosion, cavitation, and electrolysis, at a performance level far superior to the standard antifreeze package...

Cheers... ...Ted

 

For motor oils, pretty much anything sporting the CI-4+ on the API donut on the jug will do fine. Delo 400, Rotella, Delvac 1300, Valvoline Premium Blue, and I think Havoline might have it now too should be ok. Mobil 1 makes a true syn that is CI-4+ rated, available to the non-trucker public as Mobil 1 Truck and SUV. Shell makes a semi-syn Rotella, both of these are available in 5/40. Whether being able to run the light duty drain cycle is worth the extra money is up to you. They are considerably thinner oils when cold, so if extremely cold weather (below about 0 F) is a consideration, it might be worth looking at. I've read up a little on the antifreeze, do a Google search for GM Deathcool before you put that stuff in your truck. It is evidently a fine, high quality antifreeze as long as you never ever ever allow any air or dirt at all into your system. For axle lube, you'll want a synthetic GL-5 lube, Valvoline is the only one I've been able to find locally, you may have different options there. I don't know what to tell you about the 6 speed, I'm still trying to find something to keep the warranty gods happy myself.

 

Mexstan,

I just finished changing my differential fluids this morning, for the second time. I did it at 15K and am now at 30K. Both times I used Mobil1 75W-90, it GL-5 Rated so it meets Dodge specs I believe.

I'm also getting ready to do my transmission and transfer case. For my NV5600 transmission I bought Pennzoil Synchromesh(spelling??), it states right on the bottle that it meets Dodge spec. and references the Dodge part number. I'm at work and don't have the bottle with me otherwise I'd give it to ya. The transfer case calls for ATF+4, I bought 3 quarts at the dealer for $2.29/Quart, others have stated they've paid upwards of $6/quart. I did a lot of research and these were the only recommended fluids I felt that would keep me in good standings with my warranty.

I'm sure you'll get a lot more comments on this one.

I do have one tip for you, after swimming in new gear oil after spilling, I bought a funnel with a flexible hose on it, probably about 15" long. I was able to refill the front differential by leaning over the left front tire and pouring fluid into the funnel. If I had turned the front tires to the left before I started it would have been better yet.

Good Luck

 

Dr. Diesel,

Read the manual!! HOAT coolant only! No DEXCOOL.

 

I've changed the fluids in the diffs/tranny/xfer case twice now. The tranny was getting notchy prior to the change(s).

FWIW, I used Amsoil the first time in the tranny, and Redline MTL the second time. As far as shifting smoothness goes, they are both good - but in my tranny, the nod would have to go with Amsoil. Amsoil will go back in for change #3.

I'll be doing the coolant later this summer.

I prefer using a hand held pump rather than using any funnels under there.

As far as all the thoughts about keeping the warranty gods happy, the NV5600 is a lifetime fill - if you really want to keep them happy, don't change it out - and you won't get dirty either.

 

What kind of pump do you use, I looked at one at my local parts store but of course they didn't have anything, that's why I went with the funnel. Is it something that screws on to the bottle top??

 

I bought the first one at PEP Boys, and has both an inlet and outlet hose. You do have to maintain control of both hoses while laying on your back. Its not that hard with the 4x4.

I ordered the second pump from Amsoil with the last purchase. It works good - and screws onto the bottles, but it does pump slower than pump #1. You get thumb burnout on both hands doing all the diffs and tranny.