I bought a 2000 dodge Dakota V6 3.9L not too long ago. I bought it just to go mudding. got some nice mudding tires and a little lift going (1.5 inches)
My question is how often do I need to change the gear oil in the Axles/diff's
buddy told me every now and then, but id like to know a little bit more specific. also I'm fresh new to the whole mudding deal so idk if its axles or diff and how to change the gear oil. would I need a hoist? I have ramps and a jack. What oil should I put in the gear oil? anything to make it better or last longer? ALSO any other tips that would help for mudding. even small things help im really new to mudding and find it really fun that's why I got the truck.

 

You should change it every time you submerge the axles in mud/water to be safe.

 

That often? I mean I go off roading but its not that serious. Also everytime I hit a big puddle a huge amout of smoke comes out of my engine, one time came out of my ac in to the cab. is there a way to make it a little bit better? or stop it from doing that? anything at all??

 

Well, your engine, exhaust manifolds and exhaust are HOT, so, heat plus water makes steam. Really can't do anything about that. I'm saying if you regularly submerge your truck in mud/water, change it very often.

 

your axle housings have a breather port on top of them with a hose or tubing that goes up towards the frame, check these lines for dry rot or cracking and replace them if necessary, this will help prevent water from getting in, wouldn't hurt to replace the outer axle seals as well if your goanna be in a lot of water..

 

Id also be giving it a under carriage wash very often, last thing you want is for something to break and have to dig through six inches of mud just to get to the problem, another thing to watch for, and I do not know, but if your doing this down a two track or anything like that watch for roots or sticks or rocks anything that could catch something underneath your truck. Ive seen people put holes in there gas tanks and rip off brake lines before. how much ground clearance do you have?