Just did my fluid changes right at the 15K mark.
WOW, that fluid gets real dirty and crappy quick doesn't it?
The rear had like a brown sludge to it.
I haven't wheeled this thing or towed very heavy and there was no water or other contaminants I could see suspended in it.
I guess not having the dreaded sparklies in the oil, now I have the DTT fitted and the crapy stock LSD junked, was a BIG plus.
I certainly wouldn't go any further than the 15K intervals Dodge states with these diffs.
I re-filled and used Royal Purple in both. I'll see how this oil performs when next I service the diffs.
Al.

 

well the 15k is only for the rear. 30k for the front. Mine doesnt appear to be dirty when I change it. I use mobil 1 with my diffs.

 

You guys just decided for me what i'm gonna do tomarrow, uh today I mean I'm not gonna do the front Idt. But I will tackle the rear cuz I know it has't been touched. 52k on it I'm gonna go with lucas oil however that rp is too pricey imo

 

JoeHemi

Taken from the: "2004 DR Ram Truck 1500-2500-3500 Technical Publications"

Schedule "A" and schedule "B" the category which I fall into.

Change rear axle fluid. 15000
Change front axle fluid (4X4). 15000

It then repeats it at 30000 45000 and 60000 miles etc etc.
So the front does get changed at every 15K with the rear.

If you think about it, even though people do not use 4x4 all the time, when we disengage our transfer boxes to put the vehicle back into 2wd mode, the front diffs and axle on a 1500, are still turning. So, the axle is doing the same amount of work as the rear differential, all be it, not under load.

A lot of people have this misconception, that fluids need only be changed every 15K for the front diffs, as they don't think the diff's are doing much work.

I personally change it, just for piece of mind. I already have had the stock LSD junk on me in the rear and that was REALLY expensive over here in the UK. So I'm not about to let the front go boom, for a few quids worth of fresh oil.
JMHO.

Al.

 

I like how they think over the pond.

 

Thank you kind sir.
These Dodge diff's, really seem to have to "work hard"???
I don't believe that Ford and Chevy need their oil changing nearly as much?
I wonder what the crack is there?
Al.

 

I havent the foggiest, that said they probabnly used an inferior metal when forging the gears one would imagine.

 

And can you believe that Ford sells their vehicles as service free? I asked my father when has was planning on changing his fluids, he said...right in their manual, it states service free for life or 100kmi???.. I can't remember but I was on the floor.

 

how much fliud are you putting in each differential... Just bought 4.56s and need to know how much Lucas I need to buy... Thanks

 

I change my rear diff every 15k miles and front every 30k, but it has nothing to do with more wear on the rear diff. I use Lucas conventional oil in the rear due to the fact I have an Auburn LSD and Royal Purple in the front.
I feel the conventional oil should be changed at twice the frequency as full synthetic...