Differential maintenance questions

[Justinwashere]

I have a 2001 ford ranger xlt with the 4.0 sohc and it has 4.10 gears in the rear end and I need to change the diff fluid. My question is can I use a synthetic 75w-90 instead of the recommended 80w-90, and what do you think of lube locker gaskets?

Any help is very much appreciated.

 

[Captain Ledd]

Yeah, should be fine. Though the consensus is that unless you have a fancy/special thing going on with your diff, it's kind of a economic waste. Might actually leak more, as the full synthetic will find it's way through smaller spaces.

As for the lube locker, never used it personally. But make sure you have a sturdy diff cover. I'd kinda say only a cast cover or something really stiff. I wouldn't use it if you have one of the plastic ones.

Edit: Make sure you get that fill plug loose BEFORE you pull the cover. Otherwise you're going to have a very not fun time trying to fill it back up.

 

[scotts90ranger]

If the fill plug is stuck, add it through the ABS sensor, it's a nice big hole...

 

[Justinwashere]

Thank for the feedback guys, I appreciate it.

 

[swynx]

lube locker make great gaskets. but i still prefer rtv

 

[adsm08]

Yeah, I don't waste money on diff cover gaskets. Permatex makes a gear oil specific RTV, or I use Motorcraft TA-29 grey, which ever is more readily available at the moment (so which ever tube I find first in my drawer). That is all that is needed. If you put a gasket in you still need sealer.

 

[cbxer55]

I'm going to be ordering one of these for my truck soon. Already have one on my Lightning, and I like both my trucks to be somewhat the same as far as additions. Plus there is a fill and drain hole on the cover, no more removing the cover to drain the fluid. I change my diff. fluid more frequently than is probably necessary, so this will be a nice addition. And just by the way, when I installed the cover on my Lightning, I used the supplied gasket only. No sealer and it hasn't leaked a single drop in two years. Possibly because of how thick it is, it doesn't warp between the bolts like a sheet metal cover does. TA covers are near 3/4 of an inch thick at the mounting surface. Did have to put some teflon tape on the two bolts that but up against the bearing caps, as they do tend to weep a little bit.

http://www.taperformance.com/products.asp?cat=52