Differential and Transfer Case Fluid Change- My Observations

[RallyKid]

Just to make sure.

For Amsoil, the only thing I'm finding for the Transfer Case is the below screenshot but it's listed as ATF. The product description mentions the following compatibility. "Chrysler Mopar* ASRC, 68089195AA, 68049954AA". Can someone confirm that this is the right one to get?

And then overall cart is as follows:

 

[Rockin98]

Thr red top is correct for Tcase.

Blue top for transmission.

 

[UnloosedChewtoy]

Putting ATF into transfer cases is nothing new. For years, the Mopar transfer cases frequently called for good ol' ATF+4. My wife's 2018 Jeep GC's TC calls for it.

 

[RallyKid]

Great. Thank you both!

 

[OnTheReel]

ATF in a transfer case is indeed very common. But worth noting that Amsoil is the only one calling for ATF in this transfer case. Red Line calls for their manual transmission oil (MT-LV), not ATF. The factory oil is relabeled MobilFluid LT, which is a hydraulic tractor oil. Also not ATF. Ravenol makes a dedicated product for these transfer cases so that’s what I went with.

 

[Rockin98]

ATF in a transfer case is indeed very common. But worth noting that Amsoil is the only one calling for ATF in this transfer case. Red Line calls for their manual transmission oil (MT-LV), not ATF. The factory oil is relabeled MobilFluid LT, which is a hydraulic tractor oil. Also not ATF. Ravenol makes a dedicated product for these transfer cases so that’s what I went with.

Atf is thinner oil 10-20weight with better cleaning agents.
Reline is just a thinner oil with a lower cleaning affect.

Hudrolic tractor oil is a type of atf without the red dye. Usually a 10-20w
The lower oil has a better chance of not foaming at high rate of flow speed.


The older vehicles say a 205 t case from the 70's used 75w gear oil because they where a direct gear drive tcase.
The new ones are a sprocket and chain like a bicycle. So lower viscosity is used to not throw the thicker oil. You can absolutely use gear oil in it. But its not recommended due to it geting thrown all over the place instead of penatrating into the chain rollers.

Mopar has been using atf for years on there cases. My 07 ram takes atf+4 which is amsoil red top. The 98 i had same thing atf+4 my 79 chevy with a 208tcase also chain drive calls for dexos atf.

Mercon which was used by ford is more slippery and doesnt work. Same reason it crital to always use the correct type.

 

[Rockin98]

Just to make sure.

For Amsoil, the only thing I'm finding for the Transfer Case is the below screenshot but it's listed as ATF. The product description mentions the following compatibility. "Chrysler Mopar* ASRC, 68089195AA, 68049954AA". Can someone confirm that this is the right one to get?
View attachment 146098


And then overall cart is as follows:
View attachment 146099

When you get everything changed
Be nice to it for a bit.
Ive noticed the little bit of slip in the case went away about 25 miles in.
Make sure and cycle through low and high range off road if you can.
With the diferencial locks its pretty hard chatter on road.
I drive everywhere in baja mode with traction control off.
Have zero chatter from rearend now.
T-case is super smooth when needed to be shifted also.
Picked up about 1.4mpg.
As long as the foot doesn't go crazy.

 

[BuckeyeROC]

I appreciate all of you guys that have the expertise in this and get fluids analyzed, etc. I wonder if we could have a sticky here in the maintenance forum for the "current best recommended fluids and filters" (oil, t-case, tranny, filters, etc.)? If not the #1 fluids/filters, maybe a list of the current running "top tier fluids/filters"?

 

[OnTheReel]

As many know I venture way off the reservation with motor oil, gear oil, etc, to get the best product and result. Transmissions and clutched transfer cases such as ours…I try to hold closer to the spec. They are fickle. The reason there are so many ATFs is not just viscosity but friction modifier packages. Every design is looking for different characteristics for proper clutch lock up. Many multi-vehicle ATF blends like Amsoil are trying to find a happy medium that satisfies most requirements, but maybe is not ideal for all. And with any gearbox, there is a much smaller test library to reference, so it’s difficult to quantify what product is working well in a certain application, let alone what’s best. Especially in terms of clutch wear.

I look at it this way. My last transfer case sample with the OEM fluid looked great by any measure. Low wear and clean.

What can I even hope to improve? What problem am I addressing? None, really. The Ravenol just seemed like a slightly higher quality, PAO-based version of the factory stuff, so I went with it. Zero risk.

 

[Jcall34]

ATF in a transfer case is indeed very common. But worth noting that Amsoil is the only one calling for ATF in this transfer case. Red Line calls for their manual transmission oil (MT-LV), not ATF. The factory oil is relabeled MobilFluid LT, which is a hydraulic tractor oil. Also not ATF. Ravenol makes a dedicated product for these transfer cases so that’s what I went with.

That’s what I went with. Ravenol for the transfer case and Amsoil signature series gear lube for the diffs.

 

[evillrdnikon]

I decided to tackle this job since it cost me $334 in oil instead of +$1000 for the 4x4 service offered by my dealership. I don’t have a lift and not a lot of space in my garage (pictured).

My steel skid plates came off no problem, and I had a lot of room to do that. BTW, I’m 6’3”, so my wingspan is fairly long. The rear differential is the easiest drain, fill, plugged, done. The dealership did say the 5oz of limited slip was required. Whatever… I got it for $21.

The front differential was a tight fit from what I found. I could NOT get a bottle up in there to fill. I was unable to fill the transfer case because the Mopar Borg-Warner 44-40 fluid came in an oil bottle without a tip. Definitely some challenges.

What I ended up doing was reusing an Amsoil squeeze bag that I had left over from when I filled my transaxle for my 1973 Bug. I filled the bag with the Borg-Warner fluid and filled up the transfer case easily. Same for the front differential. If you have a squeeze bag, it doesn’t hurt to save one or two.

 

[Louk]

I decided to tackle this job since it cost me $334 in oil instead of +$1000 for the 4x4 service offered by my dealership. I don’t have a lift and not a lot of space in my garage (pictured).

My steel skid plates came off no problem, and I had a lot of room to do that. BTW, I’m 6’3”, so my wingspan is fairly long. The rear differential is the easiest drain, fill, plugged, done. The dealership did say the 5oz of limited slip was required. Whatever… I got it for $21.

The front differential was a tight fit from what I found. I could NOT get a bottle up in there to fill. I was unable to fill the transfer case because the Mopar Borg-Warner 44-40 fluid came in an oil bottle without a tip. Definitely some challenges.

What I ended up doing was reusing an Amsoil squeeze bag that I had left over from when I filled my transaxle for my 1973 Bug. I filled the bag with the Borg-Warner fluid and filled up the transfer case easily. Same for the front differential. If you have a squeeze bag, it doesn’t hurt to save one or two.

In case you want to venture away from the mopar brand, ravenol bottles have a built in tube that allows for pouring at awkward angles.

 

[Stu Man]

I decided to tackle this job since it cost me $334 in oil instead of +$1000 for the 4x4 service offered by my dealership. I don’t have a lift and not a lot of space in my garage (pictured).

My steel skid plates came off no problem, and I had a lot of room to do that. BTW, I’m 6’3”, so my wingspan is fairly long. The rear differential is the easiest drain, fill, plugged, done. The dealership did say the 5oz of limited slip was required. Whatever… I got it for $21.

The front differential was a tight fit from what I found. I could NOT get a bottle up in there to fill. I was unable to fill the transfer case because the Mopar Borg-Warner 44-40 fluid came in an oil bottle without a tip. Definitely some challenges.

What I ended up doing was reusing an Amsoil squeeze bag that I had left over from when I filled my transaxle for my 1973 Bug. I filled the bag with the Borg-Warner fluid and filled up the transfer case easily. Same for the front differential. If you have a squeeze bag, it doesn’t hurt to save one or two.

https://www.harborfreight.com/multi-use-transfer-pump-63144.html

This worked well for me for the bulk of the fluid

 

[evillrdnikon]

I may switch the amsoil for the front and rear. I see folks using ravenol on here but I’ve never had any experience with it. I’ve also heard the red bag amsoil for the transfer case but idk. I’ll research it in about 30k miles from now. Thanks

 

[DirtMcGirt8732]

I may switch the amsoil for the front and rear. I see folks using ravenol on here but I’ve never had any experience with it. I’ve also heard the red bag amsoil for the transfer case but idk. I’ll research it in about 30k miles from now. Thanks

I did Amsoil for the front and rear diff and Ravenol for the TC. I agree, the squeeze bags make things much easier.

You don’t need the limited slip additive. The rear is an open diff with e-locker.

 

[UnloosedChewtoy]

The dealership did say the 5oz of limited slip was required. Whatever… I got it for $21.

That guy at the $tealership doesn't know what he's talking about, hate to say. We do not have LSDs, we have a locker. No additive required.

I don't believe it will hurt anything being in there, but it is definitely not required and provides no benefits.

 

[WDETRX]

Can you use the 75w90 for both differentials? Couldn’t find 75w140 Amsoil

 

[Louk]

Can you use the 75w90 for both differentials? Couldn’t find75w140 Amsoil

https://www.amsoil.com/p/amsoil-severe-gear-75w-140-100-synthetic-gear-lube-svo/?code=SVOPK-EA&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20677132515&gclid=Cj0KCQjwhO3DBhDkARIsANxrhTrdx_ISEpUDMdcgZaaGiMS20VDOjciE7QlcfovB0GmcuD4SjSkHgy0aAn3EEALw_wcB

 

[WDETRX]

https://www.amsoil.com/p/amsoil-severe-gear-75w-140-100-synthetic-gear-lube-svo/?code=SVOPK-EA&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20677132515&gclid=Cj0KCQjwhO3DBhDkARIsANxrhTrdx_ISEpUDMdcgZaaGiMS20VDOjciE7QlcfovB0GmcuD4SjSkHgy0aAn3EEALw_wcB

Okay appreciate it, it’s back in stock. I grabbed enough 90 to do both a few weeks ago but didn’t know if I could or just needed to order the other.

 

[Louk]

Okay appreciate it, it’s back in stock. I grabbed enough 90 to do both a few weeks ago but didn’t know if I could or just needed to order the other.

I would stick to suggested weights unless other evidence shows something different.
That’s just my .02 cents on it.