Axle OCI 2500 4x4

[BBDARTZ]

I am running RP 85-140 in the rear and Syn-Power 75-90 in the front of my '06, Dodge/Cummins, 2500-4x4, quad cab/long box. I do about 50/50 towing miles vs non-towing miles. I tow trailers that are about 50% to 75% of max. capacity for this vehicle. Almost all miles driven are highway miles. I rarely use 4x4, but when I do it's for a good reason (deep snow) usually when not towing anything. Maintenance schedule "B" says change @ every 15,000 and schedule "A" does not recommend ever changing the lube oil. I am wondering what you BITOG guys think a prudent OCI is for my application. (The rear requires about a gallon of lube and the front is close to 3 quarts.)

 

[oilboy123]

I would probably go at least 30K on a good synthetic. With Amsoil I would go 50K no problem.

I assume that they don't require synthetic for the 15k runs....

 

[JXW]

I am running AMS severe gear in my 2005 Dodge Cummins 2500 with long box. I had intended on swapping the factory fill out with AMS by having the cover pulled but the shop used a pump instead and I found out after it was completed.

I was concerned about the effectiveness of this and inquired with a local trans shop. I was told that most never change the fluid to begin with and that although the factory fill went to 95K by putting AMS in I was doing better than most. Others on this board suggested I run the AMS as a flush for 5K and change which I still may do. If so I will take pictures and post.

Maybe you can do the same and we compare results. I pull gooseneck horse trailer and use 4x4 regular.

Also, your RP fluid weight is heavier than recommended isn;t it?

 

[robd]

We have a 2005 Ram 2500 4 x 4 and we tow a 8000lb camper almost every weekend in the warmer months and at about 26,000 miles the truck started hopping around corners. Drained the gear oil out of the rear differential and it was very dark with a lot of metal in it (it looked like silver paint). Flushed with 90Wt gear oil for about a week and then rechanged with Mobil 1 75w90 and it works fine (no hopping)but the frequent changes are a must if you do a lot of towing. Be careful with the 75w140 because they recommend the 75w90 in the heavier trucks due to better heat transfer of the thinner oil. The 1500's recommend 75w140 in the rear axle.

 

[deeter16317]

I ran 85w140 RP for well over 100k in all weather and driving conditions, and the stuff looked like new when drained and there was almost nothing on the magnet. I sit at 249k.

The factory stuff isn't that good in my opinion, the reason that first change looks bad.

 

[deeter16317]

I should clarify, I ran a single fill of RP 85w140 for over 100k...and doing similar driving as the OP. I will also add that my mileage did not change with the "heavier" fluid, nor did my operating temperatures change significantly. FWIW, I would still be running the 85w140 if it wasn't so expensive and hard to find...I had some left, but just didn't have enough for a drain/fill.

There is nothing special about these differentials, and they are not much different than any other differential...including the previous years that had NO change interval recommendation.

I want to remember someone telling me the GM variant (also an AAM 11.50) had no recommended OCI to 100k?

 

[The motor guy]

Im putting 75w110 in mine for the next change just to get a good middle of the road gear lube weight. Im going to do oil analysis to determine when to change mine. Hopefully I can make it to 50,000 with the amsoil fluids. (Don't see why not)

 

[The motor guy]

Originally Posted By: robd
We have a 2005 Ram 2500 4 x 4 and we tow a 8000lb camper almost every weekend in the warmer months and at about 26,000 miles the truck started hopping around corners. Drained the gear oil out of the rear differential and it was very dark with a lot of metal in it (it looked like silver paint). Flushed with 90Wt gear oil for about a week and then rechanged with Mobil 1 75w90 and it works fine (no hopping)but the frequent changes are a must if you do a lot of towing. Be careful with the 75w140 because they recommend the 75w90 in the heavier trucks due to better heat transfer of the thinner oil. The 1500's recommend 75w140 in the rear axle.
My truck hops around corners if you take off too quick. I guess its because its trying to put power to both wheels and one is trying go faster than the other. If you have some weight in the back it doesn't do it.