1/2 ton diff change interval, your recomemdation?

[1978elcamino]

Obviously not going to go by Ford's lifetime diff fluid. I was thinking more like every 50k, front and rear, along with a tranny flush. Plan to keep this truck for a long time.

Vehicle in question: 2018 f150 4x4 5.0

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Change once at low mileage, then you're probably good for 50K intervals.

A lot of 300K miles make it all the way to the junkyard on original fluid.

Is it even possible to change on that truck without taking the cover off? Easy to fill without taking the ABS sensor off?

 

[StevieC]

I like doing the first one at 30K and then 50K thereafter.

 

[CarbonSteel]

Change it at 15K or less (the majority of the wear in an axle happens before 15K) and then you can go 100K with a good synthetic fluid. I highly recommend Amsoil Severe Gear--ping Pablo on here for a great deal on it.

 

[650NutKase]

I changed the factory diff fluid at 92k, just serviced it again this last weekend at 157k. FordTechMakuloco on youtube recommends 30k-50k depending on how hard the diff is working. Tranny drain and fills on mine are every 30k with a new filter going in at 200k. Iused a Dorman pan that has a drain plug in it, so it's an easy job. Original filter was changed at 87k.

 

[Maxima97]

60K change interval. If you dip truck into water, then 30k.

 

[CT8]

The init1al early change is the most critical and if water gets into the differentials then an asap change is the best . With Todays syn oils 50,000 miles plus works just commuting later if ever after the initial change . Clean oil is happy oil.

 

[gathermewool]

When you say you'll keep the truck for a long time, what does that mean? I mean, there's the BITOG definition of 'longtime' and what when the warranty expires, which is what the average person considers a long time.

For me, long time is only 100-150k miles. I usually change out major fluids at least once, but maybe that's a waste of my time and money based on how long I keep vehicles.

 

[Lubener]

Originally Posted by Maxima97
60K change interval. If you dip truck into water, then 30k.

In water, change it right away.

 

[JLTD]

Originally Posted by 1978elcamino
Obviously not going to go by Ford's lifetime diff fluid. I was thinking more like every 50k, front and rear, along with a tranny flush. Plan to keep this truck for a long time.

Vehicle in question: 2018 f150 4x4 5.0



Sounds like a great plan to make your truck last.

 

[Fifty150]

You can pump out fluid from the fill port & refill w/out taking the cover off. But you want to take the cover off so that you can clean out the differential. Get rid of the metal shavings floating around in there. With an F-150, you can do this without jacking up the truck. Remove the spare tire, and you will have all the room you need.

Get an aftermarket cover with a little more capacity, cooling fins, magnetic dipstick, drain plug, and fill port. Then you will be able to remove the dipstick, check the level, clean off metal shavings, and check fluid condition. You will also be able to do more fluid changes as needed.

 

[ka9mnx]

Heavy towing 30k otherwise 60k.

 

[JLTD]

Originally Posted by Fifty150

You can pump out fluid from the fill port & refill w/out taking the cover off. But you want to take the cover off so that you can clean out the differential. Get rid of the metal shavings floating around in there. With an F-150, you can do this without jacking up the truck. Remove the spare tire, and you will have all the room you need.

Get an aftermarket cover with a little more capacity, cooling fins, magnetic dipstick, drain plug, and fill port. Then you will be able to remove the dipstick, check the level, clean off metal shavings, and check fluid condition. You will also be able to do more fluid changes as needed.

Check out the Gale Banks differential cover series on Youtube. After watching your opinion will change.

 

[1978elcamino]

Have watched Banks videos on the diff covers, very interesting. I have also watch FordTechMaklouko, a very good Ford channel.

 

[1978elcamino]

Originally Posted by gathermewool
When you say you'll keep the truck for a long time, what does that mean? I mean, there's the BITOG definition of 'longtime' and what when the warranty expires, which is what the average person considers a long time.

For me, long time is only 100-150k miles. I usually change out major fluids at least once, but maybe that's a waste of my time and money based on how long I keep vehicles.


250k+ is the plan.. Last F150 was sold @ 240k, only reason for the new one was we needed a larger truck, the previous 2002 f150 was a supercab.

 

[CarbonSteel]

Originally Posted by 1978elcamino
250k+ is the plan.. Last F150 was sold @ 240k, only reason for the new one was we needed a larger truck, the previous 2002 f150 was a supercab.
This is the OCI schedule I would do:


Since you are only keeping the truck until 250K, there is no need for a fourth OC. I towed at least 45% of the time I had my 2010 FX4 and despite that, the early OC's had the most wear metals in them and though I ran the oil for longer each time, there were less wear metals on a per mile basis:

 

[BrianF]

Don't ever think it. I changed the factory full in my old 2011 Ram 1500 around that 100,000km mark if I recall. Towed extremely heavy its whole life. I then changed it once more over the next 50k. Gear set looked pristine and no play or noises.

In hindsight I would not have changed it again as the oil looked like new and no material on the magnetic plug.

If you want to waste time and money the by all means, it's a free country.

 

[gathermewool]

Originally Posted by BrianF
Don't ever think it. I changed the factory full in my old 2011 Ram 1500 around that 100,000km mark if I recall. Towed extremely heavy its whole life. I then changed it once more over the next 50k. Gear set looked pristine and no play or noises.

In hindsight I would not have changed it again as the oil looked like new and no material on the magnetic plug.

If you want to waste time and money the by all means, it's a free country.


Because 100k km is SUPER high mileage...

 

[BrianF]

nope, not super high mileage but it showed me that one does not need a fancy change index for the diffs. I ran the thing like it was a 3/4 ton and it was doing fine.

 

[650NutKase]

I would still recommend changing out diff fluid, even if you truck ran well. Using the methodology above would mean that I should never change my engine oil because it looks clean and my engine isn't sludged. HOWEVER, I do agree that diffs are a lot more lenient on mileage intervals.