I can't seem to find any guidance for checking the oil level in the differential. Do you just stick your finger in and see if you can touch oil, or should it be filled until it starts to run out the filler hole?

 

the oil should be at the hole or coming out as you pop off the plug.

truck must be on level ground

 

Not trying to be confrontive, but is this your opinion or does it come from a manual? I'm older than dirt, and in the old days they wanted it a little below the filler hole, and I remember something about overfilling causing too much foaming when the gears thrash through the oil. Obviously, foamed-up oil doesn't lubricate well.
On another front, I have LSD, and wonder if the additive should be mixed in the oil before adding to the diff or if it's ok to just add it as you fill (?)

 

From the 2000 FSM page AN 3-69:

Fill differential with Mopart Hypoid Gear Lubricant, or equivalent, to bottom of the fill plug
hole.

You can just add the additive any time. It will get mixed in but Dodge recommends you do some "figure 8's" to work it into the clutch.

 

Well Howdy Doody to you also

You asked a simple question and I answered it

WTF do you want a gold lined paragraph with glitters Damn if you didn’t want to be insulting you would of answered very differently don’t you think?

 

I don't think he was trying to insult you at all.

He was asking if thats how you do things or if thats the dakota manual's way of doing it. Everyone has their own way of doing things - their own tactics/shortcuts/whatever.

I would fill it up just below the filler hole and since you have an LSD put in some additive.

 

First he has no info about what Dakota he has yet he wants detailed info? like what rear-end does he have the 8 the 9 LSD F-ing Donkey ***** what? What year what anything.

Just how do you check the oil level? Blank!!!!!!!!!!!

And he expects an accurate clear answer?

 

Hahaha easy man, yeah I guess you're right, he didn't provide a lot of info but I don't think he meant to insult ya - you're a knowledgeable guy thats for sure.

Next time 04 Quadcab provide a little more info then that way for sure you get a clear accurate answer.

 

Thanks for this tip! I did not know about the figure 8's
Any idea on the capacity of the diff, I haven't crawled under to see if it is an 8 or 9 inch.

 

4.7 pints for the 8 1/4 and 4.9 for the 9 1/4, from the 2000 manual.

5 ounces of Trac Lok additive if you have the LSD.