Anyone have # for Ford tech help

[Nitrox]

I did some research on which rear diff fluid my 2002 Explorer has. It's a 4.0l V6 2wd vehicle. The owners manual states 75w140, but that might be a generic statement since there are a few different rear diff options. I have a Ford repair CD, and checking it until I'm blue in the face shows 2 different types of fluid: one for standard 4.0l V6 engines and non-limited slip diffs(80w90), and the heavier oil for 4.6l limited slip(75w140). Then I found something explaining the rear diff tag. If there's an L in the sequence of characters then it's a limited slip diff. So, with that info, according to the rear diff tag on my vehicle, it is a non-limited slip diff with 3.55 gears. I guess that requires the 80w90 oil not 75w140. Even the Ford CD is a little misleading, since it says 75w140 in one area and then 80w90 in another. I have enough Redline 75w90 in the garage to do the job, but I don't want to waste it. I thought a call to a Ford tech would answer my questions. Thanks.

 

[Whimsey]

My wife has a 4x4 2002 Explorer and it requires the 75W-140 SYNTHETIC diff fluid in the rear. Her's does not have the limited slip rear diff. Her FRONT diff requires 80W-90 fluid. If you're still under warranty you could risk losing it if a diff problem arose and you were not using the correct REAR diff fluid. If you're out of warranty and don't tow or carry heavy loads then you should be OK with the Redline 75W-90. If you contact Ford they will parrot what's in the owner's manual. No offense but the only REAR axle fluid listed in the wife's 2002 owner's manual is 75W-140. I'm confused as to what your owner's manual says. I should add she has the 4.0L SOHC engine.

Whimsey

[ February 16, 2004, 05:37 PM: Message edited by: Whimsey ]

 

[Nitrox]

The owners manual states 75w-140. However, in the repair CD I have it has 2 listings, one for "standard" non-towing package open rears and one for towing package or limited slip rears. The standard rear listing is 80w90, and the others are 75w140. The metal tag on the diff says open rear, and I seriously doubt this Explorer has a towing package. Dunno how to check for that anyway. I'd like to use the lighter oil for fuel economy. The wife does tow a horse once every couple of months, but the horse and trailer together only weigh about 2000-2200 lbs. Vehicle's got 38,000 miles on it now and is 2wd.

 

[JohnBrowning]

If you are useing Redline 75W90 Gear lube do not worry about it! Their 75W90 is going to have greater protection then a conventional 75W140 any ways! It will flow better when cold as well!