I am going to change the lube in the front differential on my 01 Ford Ranger 4x4. Given the location of the cover, I'll have to use the "pump out" method. The manual calls for 3.6 pints of 80w 90. Since I'm going to be doing it anyway, I'd like to use a fully synthetic lube, and was thinking of Mobil 1 but can only find 75w 90. Would this be advisable or cause any problems?
Front differential lube?
- Thread starter PW01
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Kestas
Staff member
As I understand it, 80W-90 is popular in Europe. It is specified for Mercedes differential fluid. The Mercedes crowd here in the US uses 75W-90 synthetic for their diffs. Maybe this can act as precedent for your Ranger.
If your front differential doesn't get much use a mineral gear lube will work. Check the condition of what you pump out. A synthetic should hold up (time and mileage wise) better. I've got Amsoil synthetic 80w-90 in my rear diff and all is well. Mobil 1, Valvoline, Amsoil and Supertech for that matter all make synthetic 75w-90s that will work great in that front diff.
Steelers, what do you run in the rear differential? I have an 8.8 L/S with 4:10 gears, the manual calls for the same 80w-90 but that seems thin for the rear. It has been suggested that I use the 75w-140
Ford recommends syn 75W-140 for my Explorer with the 8.8 rear diff, and that's what I'd suggest for your Ranger.
The front end is always turning its a live axle setup.
Good luck on the pump out. Its way up in a pretty bad place
with a couple tight bends.
The explorer 8.8 is a different axle and has alot more weight on it. either fluid is fine for the rear 75w90 or 75w140 you will lose some gas mileage with the heavier oil but not too bad. When I did mine I used redline 75w90 all around.
For the rear you might as well take the cover off and
clean out the slop. Mine had tons of ________ in it. A little brake cleaner and some old tee shirts later it was all clean
Good luck on the pump out. Its way up in a pretty bad place
with a couple tight bends.
The explorer 8.8 is a different axle and has alot more weight on it. either fluid is fine for the rear 75w90 or 75w140 you will lose some gas mileage with the heavier oil but not too bad. When I did mine I used redline 75w90 all around.
For the rear you might as well take the cover off and
clean out the slop. Mine had tons of ________ in it. A little brake cleaner and some old tee shirts later it was all clean
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
The ford front diff sounds like a total pita compared to my chebby.
Good thing about the ford front diff is a removeable cover. No way to get the GM's apart & clean it unless you drop it & split the case.
Joel
Joel
Unfortunately with the front diff on Ford Ranger's (at least 01+, maybe the olders too), getting the diff cover involves actual work.
Not that it's preferable to pumping out the old fluid, but, that's probably going to be the easiest way to go...
Chuck
Not that it's preferable to pumping out the old fluid, but, that's probably going to be the easiest way to go...
Chuck
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