99 1500 4x4

Whats the procedure? Hopefully something I can do myself...

Is there a drain plug on the diffs or something?

Drain fluid, fill back up to just below the fill hole?

What kind of gear oil do I need?

Thank you!

 

It's really easy. There is no drain plug. Just take out the bolts and it will drain out the bottom. Get a new gasket for it and put a little RTV on it. Put it back together and fill to just below the rubber plug. I think the book says it holds 4.5 pints and to use 80/90 gear oil or 75/140 synthetic. Personally I don't like to use synthetic in the differentials but the owners manual does say to use synthetic for severe use. If you have limited slip you will need the additive for it.

 

RTV?

And how do I know if I have a limited slip? What additive?

 

Hi Temp RTV

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...31_T%7CGRP2132_____


limited slip additive

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...42_T%7CGRP2035____

There are a few ways to find out if you have limited slip. The laziest way is to request the build sheet from Chrysler lol. Other than that you can jack the diff off the ground and put the trans in neutral. Spin one of the tires by hand. If the other tire spins in the same direction you have limited slip. If it spins the opposite direction you have an open rear end. Also some of the gear oils already have the limited slip additive in them so just read the bottle.

 

So is there an actual physical gasket you use on them? Or just that silicone stuff?

 

I don't bother with a gasket, and just use a nice bead of RTV.

 

Yep it came with rtv from the factory. Just make sure not to put too much on it and over tighten it. Just about 1/4" bead and snug them up, wait a couple of hours then finish tightening.

 

Do the bolts have to be torqued to a specific value? or just real snug / hand tight?

 

I just run 'em in nice and snug. all it needs to do is seal. Not like it is holding up the truck or anything.

 

if you look at the rear diff cover bolts, from the factory if you had a limited slip there is a metal tag that is mounted from one of the bolts to another right beside it, but this tag will probably be thrown out on the first gear oil change your truck ever had, or Im sure it falls off easily, I have a 1998 and under the hood there is a sticker that shows engine displacement, vehicle year and serial number etc., my sticker has my gear ratio and it says this my truck is equiped with a limited slip......failing that,spinning the tires in the air trick works everytime