differential fluid?
 

I have a Dodge Dakota SLT V6 2000, and I have been looking on how to, and fluid to use to change the differential fluid, I had looked in the owners manual, and all I can see is fluid change on the transfer case. I cannot find the recommended differential fluid to use and the capacity to fill the differential. I would greatly appreciate if anyone could give me the info on all this. I am still looking.

90 weight gear lube oil. If you have LSD, add the recommended amount of limited slip additive.

Dodge Specs 3.5 pints of 80w90 for the front differential (C205f), and this is the procedure they say to use. You don't have to measure 3.5 pints, just make sure you're on a level-ish surface and inject fluid until it reaches the fill hole.

LUBRICANT CHANGE
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Remove the lubricant fill hole plug from the
differential housing cover.
(3) Remove the differential housing cover and
drain the lubricant from the housing.
(4) Clean the housing cavity with a flushing oil,
light engine oil or lint free cloth. Do not use water,
steam, kerosene or gasoline for cleaning.
(5) Remove the sealant from the housing and cover
surfaces. Use solvent to clean the mating surfaces.
(6) Apply a bead of Mopart Silicone Rubber Sealant,
or equivalent, to the housing cover (Fig. 3).
Install the housing cover within 5 minutes
after applying the sealant.
(7) Install the cover and any identification tag.
Tighten the cover bolts in a criss–cross pattern to 41
N·m (30 ft. lbs.) torque.
(8) Refill the differential with Mopart Hypoid
Gear Lubricant, or equivalent, to bottom of the fill
plug hole. Refer to the Lubricant Specifications in
this group for the quantity necessary.
(9) Install the fill hole plug and lower the vehicle. Tighten fill plug to 34 N·m (25 ft. lbs.).

Dodge specs 4.7 pints of 80w90 for the 8.25" axle, and 4.9 pints of 75w90 for the 9.25" axle. 8.25" has an oval-ish diff cover with 10 bolts. 9.25" axle has an octagonal cover with 12 bolts. You must add a friction modifier if you have a limited slip rear end. Dodge's procedure:

LUBRICANT CHANGE
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Remove the lubricant fill hole plug from the
differential housing cover.
(3) Remove the differential housing cover and
drain the lubricant from the housing.
(4) Clean the housing cavity with a flushing oil,
light engine oil, or lint free cloth. Do not use water,
steam, kerosene, or gasoline for cleaning.
(5) Remove the original sealant from the housing
and cover surfaces.
(6) Apply a bead of Mopart Silicone Rubber Sealant,
or equivalent, to the housing cover (Fig. 9).
Install the housing cover within 5 minutes
after applying the sealant.
(7) Install the cover and any identification tag.
Tighten the cover bolts to 41 N·m (30 ft. lbs.) torque.
(8) For Trac–loky differentials, a quantity of
Mopart Trac–loky lubricant (friction modifier), or
equivalent, must be added after repair service or a
lubricant change. Refer to the Lubricant Specifications
section of this group for the quantity necessary.
(9) Fill differential with Mopart Hypoid Gear
Lubricant, or equivalent, to bottom of the fill plug
hole. Refer to the Lubricant Specifications section of
this group for the quantity necessary.
CAUTION: Overfilling the differential can result in
lubricant foaming and overheating.
(10) Install the fill hole plug and lower the vehicle.
(11) Trac–lok differential equipped vehicles
should be road tested by making 10 to 12 slow figure eight
turns. This maneuver will pump the lubricant
through the clutch discs to eliminate a possible chatter
noise complaint.


Good luck.

Oh an as far as the cover sealant goes, Permatex makes one actually meant for gear oil..."Gear oil RTV gasket maker"...I just used Permatex Red RTV and so does most everyone else. Now that I know it exists, I'll probably buy the "right" stuff.

Yes, it's imperative to add the Friction Modifier if you have a Limited Slip differential.

There's a listing on the inside of your glove box door. Should say Anti-Spin.

You can order a Build sheet as well that will show it. I just went through all this. My Build sheet was incorrect, indicating a PO of my truck must have changed it out.

Here's a good How-To off YouTube.

Note, it takes some effort to find fluid that does not already have the friction modifier added. If it says LSD or anything about anti slip on the bottle, you don't need to add the modifier. I have an open diff that doesn't require the FM and almost everything out there had FM mixed in. Truth be told, it didn't matter anyway for mine.

Even with fluid that claims to be for an LSD I've always needed to add the additive from Dodge. It's about a $8 bottle. Wiithout it my clutches chatter.

Dodgevity - A LOT of the "Fine for LSD!" bottles of diff fluid I've seen will, in the very, VERY small print, state "Not for fresh loads. Needs friction modifier added."

That is, they will keep you from having to add FM to top the diff off, but a new fill will still need friction modifier.

Some of the synthetics don't need the FM, true, but it's worth reading the fine print.

RwP