Differential fluid suggestions for 2.5L Wrangler

[Gasbuggy]

I have to do the front and rear diff fluid in my girlfriend's 97 Wrangler. It has 91,000 miles and I suspect has never been changed. The Jeep is a stock, three speed automatic, open differential Dana 35 in the rear, Dana 30 up front, slow. It has Classic Tags and does not get driven more than a couple thousand miles a year, never any off road or hard use, except maybe by me before they plow snow.


80w90 was FF.


A pic, it's an odd 1 year only color.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Ugh. 3 speed auto.

Supertech 80w-90. That 2.5 isn't going to be putting out enough power to warrant anything thicker.

 

[Chris142]

Autozone sells Chevron Delo 75w90 for $5.99 a qt.

 

[stchman]

My question is, why would someone buy a Wrangler and never offroad it. I thought the whole purpose in getting a vehicle like that was to take it offroad.

And also why would Jeep put open front and rear diffs on something that is intended to be offroaded?

As far as what gear oil, just get some Supertech 80W-90 gear oil from Walmart, you can get it for $13 a gallon. Maybe pick up another quart in a single bottle, the quarts are like $4.25. You can refill the quart bottle with the little squirt top.

So for about $18, you can get 5 quarts of gear oil.

 

[hansj3]

I put synpower in, but I got it for free. Bottom of the barrel. Gear oil really does not matter. Just having some in there is what's important

Man a 3 speed... and thought my 5 speed 2.5 was gutless.

The factory didn't put limided slip in those because they get really twitchy. Short wheel base, light weight, a locker, and Snow would make a parking lot pinball. plus d35 axles are weak sauce.
The newer rubi's have rear sway bar discos and a manual locker that kicks off above 15 mph for a reason

 

[mlatour]

Originally Posted By: stchman
My question is, why would someone buy a Wrangler and never offroad it. I thought the whole purpose in getting a vehicle like that was to take it offroad.



Same opinion as you but my guess is:

- 'big and tough' vehicle image status
- cheaper way to get a convertable than a sports car

 

[bubbatime]

Man that thing is CLEAN for an 18 year old car. College age girls would snap that car up for a premium around here.

 

[totegoat]

Any GL5 80w-90 will be fine.

 

[Chris142]

The 97 was the only year with that style cowl vent.

 

[Gasbuggy]

Originally Posted By: stchman
My question is, why would someone buy a Wrangler and never offroad it. I thought the whole purpose in getting a vehicle like that was to take it offroad.

And also why would Jeep put open front and rear diffs on something that is intended to be offroaded?

As far as what gear oil, just get some Supertech 80W-90 gear oil from Walmart, you can get it for $13 a gallon. Maybe pick up another quart in a single bottle, the quarts are like $4.25. You can refill the quart bottle with the little squirt top.

So for about $18, you can get 5 quarts of gear oil.



You would have to see my girlfriend to understand, not any off roading blood in her genes. It was bought based on color. She got it in high school around 10 years ago and is now very attached.

Though it has been off road a few times, in some abandoned mine areas. It also needed a full trans rebuild at 68,000 miles... The base model drivetrains are too light duty IMO. But on the 5 or 6 days in a year when there is a snowstorm or hurricane it's an amazing vehicle.

Total capacity is only 3 quarts combined, about 1.25 front and 1.75 rear. The rear is an open diff, the front when engaged is locked 100%. It will go through snow 2 feet deep with all seasons without any trouble.

 

[Ramblejam]

Originally Posted By: Shark
the front when engaged is locked 100%.


What?

 

[Gasbuggy]

Originally Posted By: bubbatime
Man that thing is CLEAN for an 18 year old car. College age girls would snap that car up for a premium around here.


Oh I know, same in the Philadelphia area. She works in the corporate side of a large fashion company, they go nuts over it when she drives it to work. It did not look like that when we started dating about 6 years ago. In the last 4 years I did a paint correction, refinished the trim and bumpers, new top, did the frame inside and out with all Eastwood products, put the Rubicon wheels on with some slightly smaller tires.

 

[Greasymechtech]

Can't have freedom of choice?

Great Jeep. Enjoy it. I'd use a name brand GL5 80w90. But, to free up some antpower, I'd use a good full synthetic 75w90.

Don't forget to flush the transmission and change out the transfer case fluid, PSF, coolant, DOT3,...

Open front diff with auto locking hubs. Transfer case is the 'locker' here.

 

[Gasbuggy]

Originally Posted By: Greasymechtech
Can't have freedom of choice?

Great Jeep. Enjoy it. I'd use a name brand GL5 80w90. But, to free up some antpower, I'd use a good full synthetic 75w90.

Don't forget to flush the transmission and change out the transfer case fluid, PSF, coolant, DOT3,...

Open front diff with auto locking hubs. Transfer case is the 'locker' here.





Thank you for clarifying. Everything is fresh besides the differentials and PSF now that I think about it. I redid all the brake lines a few years ago. I just flushed and refilled with Zerex Original green this week. What PSF should I use, dedicated PS Fluid or ATF?

 

[Ramblejam]

What you're experiencing is not related to the differential itself; it's open, with no limited-slip or locker functionality.

You'd have to look further back at the transfer case. With the basic/old-style unit this Jeep has, both front/rear driveshafts are effectively locked together, and unable to act independently. Hence, binding in turns.

 

[JR]

That is super clean. Had a early 90's, 2.5 except with 5sd standard, what a dog.
. It was a weekend warrior stored at the cabin. We ran what we had, traveller 85w-140. That 2.5 is no hot shot, 80w-90 is all that is needed.

Also what she using in the engine?



Harvey

 

[Gasbuggy]

Originally Posted By: JR
That is super clean. Had a early 90's, 2.5 except with 5sd standard, what a dog.
. It was a weekend warrior stored at the cabin. We ran what we had, traveller 85w-140. That 2.5 is no hot shot, 80w-90 is all that is needed.

Also what she using in the engine?


Harvey



Pennzoil Conventional 10w40 / Motorcraft filter.

 

[zeng]

Originally Posted By: Shark
It has Classic Tags and does not get driven more than a couple thousand miles a year, never any off road or hard use, except maybe by me before they plow snow.



Originally Posted By: Shark
Though it has been off road a few times, in some abandoned mine areas. It also needed a full trans rebuild at 68,000 miles... The base model drivetrains are too light duty IMO.
TheIt will go through snow 2 feet deep with all seasons without any trouble.



I've a contrarian view on this.

The fact that it needs a full rebuild at 68,000 miles in your case simply means the operating viscosity of FF (specs of 80W90) is inadequate in wear protection in relation to its 'style' of usage.

In my view, it's NOT a 'too light duty drivetrains' that gave troubles.

LE 1604 may be considered for your ambients, though I would vote for LE 1605 in this case for wear protection.

JMO.

 

[artificialist]

Originally Posted By: Shark
Originally Posted By: Greasymechtech
Can't have freedom of choice?

Great Jeep. Enjoy it. I'd use a name brand GL5 80w90. But, to free up some antpower, I'd use a good full synthetic 75w90.

Don't forget to flush the transmission and change out the transfer case fluid, PSF, coolant, DOT3,...

Open front diff with auto locking hubs. Transfer case is the 'locker' here.





Thank you for clarifying. Everything is fresh besides the differentials and PSF now that I think about it. I redid all the brake lines a few years ago. I just flushed and refilled with Zerex Original green this week. What PSF should I use, dedicated PS Fluid or ATF?

If you can find the owner's manual it will say power steering fluid or ATF.
If it says PSF, ordinary PSF is best.
If it says ATF, I suggest ATF+4, but PS systems aren't sensitive to what ATF specification is used. I'd regularly use Dexron VI as a replacement for ATF+4 and Mercon V in power steering systems.

 

[Gasbuggy]

Originally Posted By: zeng

The fact that it needs a full rebuild at 68,000 miles in your case simply means the operating viscosity of FF (specs of 80W90) is inadequate in wear protection in relation to its 'style' of usage.



automatic trans...