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Differentials and Transfer Case Fluid Change

twk

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JohnnyO

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Changed my transfer case fluid yesterday and man it was dark like used motor oil. The fluid didn't have a burned smell or anything like that. The drain plug magnet didn't have a lot of metal on it. Pretty non existent really.
Oh yeah 35k on the clock. Might start doing this every 30k.
Majority of the wear occurs early on. On my old truck I changed the diffs and transfer case every 30k and by 90k they were draining out pretty clean.
 

JohnnyO

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twk

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My 2022 has one.
 


twk

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I wouldn't say "all". At some point in the 2021 model year they phased out the drain plugs.
It took me a while to get under my truck. I'm sore from remodeling the garage.

Anyway, you're right! I have no drain plug. I think I was confusing my buddies '21 with mine, and he does have a drain plug. I blame 'oldtimers' disease.
A few weeks ago we spent a lot of time changing shocks and such, and scoping out the one and only rear anti-sway bar available. We both decided to skip that mod.

Anyway, mine has the right spot for a drain, but it looks like someone forgot to drill and tap a hole. I'd like to try that, but I don't think I'm brave enough to try it. Plus, I have no taps anywhere near that size.

no plug 2022.webp
 

JohnnyO

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It took me a while to get under my truck. I'm sore from remodeling the garage.

Anyway, you're right! I have no drain plug. I think I was confusing my buddies '21 with mine, and he does have a drain plug. I blame 'oldtimers' disease.
A few weeks ago we spent a lot of time changing shocks and such, and scoping out the one and only rear anti-sway bar available. We both decided to skip that mod.

Anyway, mine has the right spot for a drain, but it looks like someone forgot to drill and tap a hole. I'd like to try that, but I don't think I'm brave enough to try it. Plus, I have no taps anywhere near that size.

no plug 2022.webp
They didn't forget to drill and tap a hole. They just stopped doing it to save a few bucks. Some 21's have drain plugs and some don't.
Your choices:
1. Do it the old fashioned way, get a new diff cover gasket and hope it doesn't leak.
2. Take it to the Valvoline Quicky Lube where they suck it out through the fill plug with a pump. $79 versus the time it takes to do it yourself is worth it.
3. Get the Ford Performance diff cover for a Bronco, which I'm told has a drain plug. Their unit for the Ranger apparently does not.
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