dr5chrome wrote:
Hello all -
Have read many differences of opinion on differential oil.
Synthetic or regular oil..
I also wasn't sure, since someone told me the rear needed some additive along with the oil.. is this true?
I always thought if it was limited slip that you just use limited-slip oil [old school thinking]. I can find no documents indicating if my rear has limited-slip... How do I know? What is best to use? Ill have to do this soon.
ALSO - is it true the transfer-case uses ATF+4 ?? - ..I wish these CRD's had manual transmissions?
Thanks again..
Our Export CRDs have always had the option...from 2003...of manual or automatic boxes. Newer CRDS have a six speed manual box...my older 2002 2.5 L CRD has a 5 speed box. Trouble is the manual CRDs only come with the Command Trac part time transfer case...not the better Select Trac full time....something to do with the Select Trac not handling the vibration from the diesel engine!
I doubt you have Trac Loc LSD fitted at the rear...check your build sheet but when you replace the rear oil you will in any case have to remove the diff cover and RTV it back in place.....while it is open you can have a good look to see if it has the Trac Loc clutches fitted.
My 2002 has the 4.10 diff with Trac Loc....I replaced the rear diff fluid with Dino 85 if I remember correctly and first put in the Mopar Friction Modifier for Trac Loc. The Trac Loc has a bad reputation for reliability but I have had no problems at all but then again I do not off-road at all......mainly highway driving with street Michelin tires.
I would prefer to have a newer 2.8 CRD with Auto from a comfort point of view and for the Select Trac transfer case and the Euro Torque Convertor we get but it seems to me that the newer auto boxes are too complicated with their computer controlled valves and give a fair amount of problems...this 2002 manual 5 speed 2.5 CRD Sport will have to last me for a few more years!