1996 Ranger changing differential fluid help

[engineco16]

I have a 1996 Ranger 2wd, 6 cyl 3.0. I need to change the rear axle fluid tomorrow along with the gasket. On the door it says “Axle 86”. What type of fluid do I need and do I need an additive?

Thanks,
Dave

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[adsm08]

Axle uses about 3 (buy 4) quarts of 75W-140 hypoid gear lube. It only needs an additive if you have limited slip (the little tag on one of the cover bolts should say something like 3L73 or 4L10 if you do. If it just says 3 73 or 4 10 you don't have limited slip. If in doubt it does not hurt to put a friction modifier in if it is not needed.

Also, don't mess with a gasket. Just buy some high quality black or grey RTV gasket maker and run a bead of it around the cover before putting it back on. It should look like tooth paste on the brush. Then wait 15 minutes before filling it up.

Also, make sure you can get the fill plug out BEFORE you pull the cover and drain the fluid.

 

[engineco16]

Thanks for the info. I'll have to look for that little tag tomorrow. And I figured getting the plug out was the first thing I should do LOL Is this fluid ok? And I'll attempt to make the gasket with RTV, shouldn't be too big of a deal.

Valvoline SynPower 75W-140 Synthetic Gear Oil(QT)

 

[adsm08]

Yeah, that stuff should be pretty good.

 

[engineco16]

Thanks again!

 

[engineco16]

Got it done today, went pretty easy and painless. Going to wait until tomorrow to drive it letting the RTV time to dry completely. I'll drive it around the block then check the level again.

Hopefully my problem I've been having will be solved but I don't think so.

For having 211,000 miles on the truck the fluid was pretty damn clear but seemed a bit thin and everything inside looked great and no metal shavings.