Trans, Diff and Transfercase??

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Ok I just got a Dodge Truck. 2002 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab. It has a 3.9 V6, auto trans and four wheel drive. What would you guys recommend for the trans, diff and the transfercase? I have heard that dodge use the ATF+4 fluid for the transmission and transfercase. Not sure? What brand would be best. Also the rear diff. 90W140 syn or 80W90. I am looking forward to changing all these fluids just not sure what to use. Thanks
 
Any ATF+4 is fine...they are all basically the same. IOW, the spec is very tight, and if it meets Chrysler's spec, it's good. I believe you're right about the t-case using ATF also.

I like to use synthetic gear lube. Unless the manual says otherwise, probably 75W-90, or 75W-140 for towing, etc.
 
Agree, ATF+4 in transmission and transfer case. I personally prefer a mineral gear oil if the ambient temperatures will allow it, i.e. VA, TX, FL, etc. and 80W-90 is my gear oil of choice.

Now, living up in SD, MN, WI, etc., I would use a synthetic 75W-90 for its cold weather performance. If there is a specific need, i.e., heaving towing etc., then you might consider 75W-140 in the rear differential only.

Nice truck.
 
Originally Posted By: Johnny
I personally prefer a mineral gear oil if the ambient temperatures will allow it


Could you expand on this, Johnny?
 
Originally Posted By: zrxkawboy
Originally Posted By: Johnny
I personally prefer a mineral gear oil if the ambient temperatures will allow it


Could you expand on this, Johnny?


I guess you could just call it old schooled/fashioned. I just like the way a mineral gear oil protects. Now as I said, there is a place for a good synthetic, i.e., very cold conditions like we have up north, extremely high temp conditions like an over the road 18-wheeler would experience, i.e., constant speed/heavy load, or a big pick-up working hard towing heavy loads. There have been a couple of times I thought about putting a synthetic in my differential, but I just went back inside and had another cup of coffee.

Originally Posted By: RageOfFury

75W-140 in both axles.


Why? Dodge recommends either 80W-90 or 75W-90 in the front diff and either the same or 75W-140 in the rear diff depending on the application.

I sure would not want the 75W-140 just riding around in the front diff then expect it to lubricate properly when you decided to engage the front diff. But I guess to each his own.

I have my preferences and I guess you do to.
 
I had my diffs fluids changed twice and both times the dealer put 75W-140 in both axles. I checked with some Jeep gurus on another forum and they approved of this.
 
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I would use ATF+4 in the Chryco transmission and either ATF+4 or Dexron ATF in the NV241 T-case. I run Mobil 1 syn in my Jeep's NP231HD (1/2 ton Dodge) T-case as I sometimes flat tow when it's cold out and know that the lube is pumping when I drive away.

As far as diff's go, I run typical 80W90. If you like synthetics - 75W90 is a great choice.
 
Originally Posted By: Zaedock
I would use ATF+4 in the Chryco transmission and either ATF+4 or Dexron ATF in the NV241 T-case. I run Mobil 1 syn in my Jeep's NP231HD (1/2 ton Dodge) T-case as I sometimes flat tow when it's cold out and know that the lube is pumping when I drive away.

As far as diff's go, I run typical 80W90. If you like synthetics - 75W90 is a great choice.

Dexron in the T-case? big no no. ATF+4 only! ATF+4 is a synthetic fluid btw.
 
Originally Posted By: RageOfFury
I checked with some Jeep gurus on another forum and they approved of this.


I hope it wasn't Jeep Forum.
lol.gif


9 out of 10 Jeep guys run what they do because of what someone else is using.

75W140 is a nice gear oil for HD use or for the factory to correct noise issues (like the big Visteon axle in the back of my Ford).
75W140 will work fine, but if you don't tow heavy loads, why have the extra parasitic drag of thicker gear oil?
 
Originally Posted By: RageOfFury
Dexron in the T-case? big no no. ATF+4 only! ATF+4 is a synthetic fluid btw.


And why is that?
 
Originally Posted By: Zaedock
Originally Posted By: RageOfFury
I checked with some Jeep gurus on another forum and they approved of this.


I hope it wasn't Jeep Forum.
lol.gif


9 out of 10 Jeep guys run what they do because of what someone else is using.

75W140 is a nice gear oil for HD use or for the factory to correct noise issues (like the big Visteon axle in the back of my Ford).
75W140 will work fine, but if you don't tow heavy loads, why have the extra parasitic drag of thicker gear oil?

Lol no it wasn't jeep forum
 
Originally Posted By: Zaedock
Originally Posted By: RageOfFury
Dexron in the T-case? big no no. ATF+4 only! ATF+4 is a synthetic fluid btw.


And why is that?

Because ATF+4 is the recommended fluid for all NV/NP transfer cases.
 
1. ATF+4 is a Group III synthetic, not a PAO synthetic.

2. If you can use DEX III/Mercon V in a Ford or Chevy transfer case, why could you not use it in a Dodge/Jeep transfer case. There are only so many people that make these transfer cases for all of these manufactures. The only reason Chrysler recommends the ATF+4 is because that is what they sell.

I am a believer in using what the manufacture recommends, but there are a ton of "gurus" out there that would tell you to use whatever in the transfer cases.

And to tell you the truth, I don't know to many "gurus" working for the manufactures, whether it be the auto manufacture or the manufacture that made the differentials or the transfer cases. To me a "guru" is someone that thinks he is an engineer.
 
Originally Posted By: RageOfFury
Originally Posted By: Zaedock
Originally Posted By: RageOfFury
Dexron in the T-case? big no no. ATF+4 only! ATF+4 is a synthetic fluid btw.


And why is that?

Because ATF+4 is the recommended fluid for all NV/NP transfer cases.


And that is why it's a BIG no-no? Dexron is also recommended! The same transfercase is used in both Dodge and GM applications. A 241 is a 241 is a 241.

GM recommends Dexron III. http://www.weirparts.com/pdf/Transfer_Case_Specs%5B11-22-05%5D.pdf
 
Originally Posted By: Johnny
And to tell you the truth, I don't know to many "gurus" working for the manufactures, whether it be the auto manufacture or the manufacture that made the differentials or the transfer cases. To me a "guru" is someone that thinks he is an engineer.


Huge X2!
 
What I dont understand is why is 75w90 always speced for heavier duty applications over a heavier gear oil. In Dodges they spec 75w90 for the 2500/3500 and only 75w90 but for the 1500 and lighter vehicles they claim to use a heavier gear lube if towing. Same for heavy trucks such as tri-axles. Only 75w90, any heavier and it voids your warranty and 250,000 mile drain interval. Is it a lighter lube cools better? Just my observation.
 
That's not the first time you've mentioned a larger truck spec'ing a lower op. viscosity - very curious.

Larger truck,larger diff, larger surface area per mated gear tooth perhaps lowers the required op viscosity - same ave. film strength at lower visc? Maybe the larger capacity keeps the fluid cooler? Hmmm (edit: I'm too slow on my BB, Johnny.)
 
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Originally Posted By: Zaedock
Originally Posted By: RageOfFury
Originally Posted By: Zaedock
Originally Posted By: RageOfFury
Dexron in the T-case? big no no. ATF+4 only! ATF+4 is a synthetic fluid btw.


And why is that?

Because ATF+4 is the recommended fluid for all NV/NP transfer cases.


And that is why it's a BIG no-no? Dexron is also recommended! The same transfercase is used in both Dodge and GM applications. A 241 is a 241 is a 241.

GM recommends Dexron III. http://www.weirparts.com/pdf/Transfer_Case_Specs%5B11-22-05%5D.pdf





Given the choice of ATF+4 or Dexron III in an out of warranty Chrysler which is the better fluid for the T-Case?
 
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