Differentials and Transfer Case Fluid Change

[Progeny2021]

Well, they're built by the British, so there is that.

The modern Triumph motorcycle has excellent build quality, whether Hinckley, UK or Chonburi, Thailand. Most Ford Rangers built for markets outside of the Americas come from Thailand.

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[Msfitoy]

Hi ODP,

All Ford Truck Durability testing must be to the specified maintenance schedule, and the vehicles must complete the durability testing satisfactorily. Testing is to duplicate the useful life of 150,000 miles by a 90 percentile customer.... This means that if the fluid change is at 100,000 miles, this is when it was changed on the prototype trucks, not before.

Marketing was driving us to 7500 mile oil changes when the norm was 5000. We tried it on the Ranger 2.3L Lima motor....The wear was unsatisfactory and we stayed at 5000. Now with the new fluid technology and manufacturing methodology, extended range fluid changes are possible.

It certainly does not hurt to change earlier if you choose, but likely is unnecessary.

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

@P. A. Schilke Hi Phil...do you know why the manual says to throw away the fill plugs? Why can't they be reused?

 

[Langwilliams]

@P. A. Schilke Hi Phil...do you know why the manual says to throw away the fill plugs? Why can't they be reused?

I reused mine I just added some sealant. Waiting on the official answer but I assumed it was the new plugs have a sealant on the threads.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

@P. A. Schilke Hi Phil...do you know why the manual says to throw away the fill plugs? Why can't they be reused?

Hi Sid,

I do not know why Ford says to throw away a perfectly good plug. I always reuse mine... Inspect for good sealing. I fear it is to sell more plugs for more $..... Torque to yield fastners...yeah, but a drain plug is not torque to yield... Sheesh....

Best,
Phil

 

[Msfitoy]

Hi Sid,

I do not know why Ford says to throw away a perfectly good plug. I always reuse mine... Inspect for good sealing. I fear it is to sell more plugs for more $..... Torque to yield fastners...yeah, but a drain plug is not torque to yield... Sheesh....

Best,
Phil

Glad you confirmed my thoughts...thanks again!

 

[nate237]

Drained and filled the rear diff on my 22 Tremor today @ 10,000.

Surprise! It had no drain plug. I found another thread where someone with a 21 didn't have one either.

Anyway, removed the cover and surprisingly the fluid looked really good and didn't smell bad. I cleaned the inside of the cover and got some black residue, but nothing metallic was spotted. Debris on the fill plug magnet wasn't too bad.

Probably a wasted service, but at least I won't wonder about it anymore.

 

[Dr3wDrop]

Surprise! It had no drain plug. I found another thread where someone with a 21 didn't have one either.

I'll be darn. I just went out and checked and my 21 Tremor does not have a rear diff drain plug.

 

[JasonTremor]

I'll be darn. I just went out and checked and my 21 Tremor does not have a rear diff drain plug.

My 21 tremor has a drain plug. Driver side of center casting.

 

[Dr3wDrop]

My 21 tremor has a drain plug. Driver side of center casting.

Kinda jealous haha. Although, it is a good excuse to get a new diff cover with a drain hole...
https://www.stage3motorsports.com/46-71170a-19-22-ranger-afe-raw-differential-cover-machined.html

 

[Msfitoy]

I'll be darn. I just went out and checked and my 21 Tremor does not have a rear diff drain plug.

23 will not have an oil drain plug either...you'll have to remove the entire oil pan...

 

[nate237]

Since my truck has 13K miles and it's mostly been towing a 3800 lb. travel trailer for most of those miles, and because it looks like an easy-peasy DIY, I am going to change the fluid in the rear differential. That's a start.
For those who have done this and other fluid changes, do you document those in your FordPass app?
I did an oil/filter change and did. Took pictures of the oil and filter plus the dated receipt and uploaded them.

I document things that would affect warranty, like motor oil and filter. Rear diff I did not, because Ford doesn't specify a change until 150,000, and I don't want to give any excuse for denying a warranty claim (i.e. you must have used the wrong oil, etc). I maintain separate complete records in an app called AUTOsist on my phone.

 

[Msfitoy]

Just did mine this morning, it was chuuuunky. Went ahead and clean it out and rinsed it good. Got the skid plate on as well.

What skid plate is that?

 

[quangdog]

Rolled over 30K miles last week, and as part of the maintenance for that milestone I drained and filled my rear diff. The fluid that came out was a dark amber color, with only very little (very fine - almost like a mud) deposits on the drain plug magnet. While I had the drain plug removed, I used my borescope to peek inside the diff. I think the gears look great. I should have thought to scope in through the fill hole as well, but was in a time crunch and was lucky to think about any borescope shots at all.

 

[TICKLE ZOMBIE]

In a few weeks I’m getting my oil changed at 5K (side note: Wix XP or Motorcraft filter?), and I’ve read on here a lot of people change rear differential fluid pretty early.
Should I do same or stick to my original plan, which is to change rear differential, transmission fluid, and spark plugs at 30K.
My Ranger is a RWD model.

 

[D Fresh]

If you like wasting money go for it.

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