Differentials and Transfer Case Fluid Change

[twk]

Location of secret rear differential drain plug on all 5G Rangers.
https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/thre...ential-fluid-change-write-up-47k-miles.25122/

I admit, I haven't checked for one of these on the front diff. I haven't needed to... Yet.

Sponsored

 

[JohnnyO]

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]

Location of secret rear differential drain plug on all 5G Rangers.
https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/thre...ential-fluid-change-write-up-47k-miles.25122/

I admit, I haven't checked for one of these on the front diff. I haven't needed to... Yet.

I wouldn't say "all". At some point in the 2021 model year they phased out the drain plugs.

 

[twk]

My 2022 has one.

 

[seasprite]

My 2022 has one.

My 22 does not
Mine was made in March of 22. When was your build date?

 

[Stevedbvik1]

My 22 does not
Mine was made in March of 22. When was your build date?

February of 22 here and no plug

 

[twk]

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.

 

[JohnnyO]

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.

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.

 

[Friday yet?]

Anyone tried to pump rear differential fluid out though the fill plug? I figure I’ve already got the pump for the trans so why not use it? And avoid potential leaks if I drop the cover and change out the gasket instead. But, is it difficult to get the hose to the bottom of the diff?

 

[airline tech]

I think its best to pull the cover and drain it - as this will also remove any unwanted debris vs being sucked out of the fill plug and it gives you the opportunity to inspect the gears for wear.

 

[Stevedbvik1]

Anyone tried to pump rear differential fluid out though the fill plug? I figure I’ve already got the pump for the trans so why not use it? And avoid potential leaks if I drop the cover and change out the gasket instead. But, is it difficult to get the hose to the bottom of the diff?

If your magnet on the fill plug has a lot of fuzz on it you’ll probably want to pull the cover off and clean out the diff with brake clean. The gasket is reusable and I’ve had mine off a couple of times and no leaks.

 

[Traildude]

Hello to all Ranger owners, this is my first post:

I totally forgot to change front and rear diff oil and transfer case oil according to the mileage guidleines. I have a 2020 Ranger XLT off road model. 72k miles. I just changed all 3 myself. Off course the oil in the front and rear diff oil was dirty but I was surprised that the viscosity was not like sludge. I had put standard 80w/90 standard gear oil from Valvoline in the rear and valvoline synthetic 75/90 in the front. I happened to have the 80w/90 in my garage so I figured that I would use that for the rear since the info online states that its acceptable, however I think there could be a potential problem. I live in a region of upstate NY where the weather during winter is severe and often drops down to -25 and even as low as -35 , and the standard oil i used for the rear is rated for -15 . Does anyone have experience with this? could I run into an issue if it drops down to -35 or so? I am considering actually changing the rear diff fluid again and replace with synthetic like I have done for the front diff.


P.S. I am surprised to read here in this thread that later modes of the Ranger do not come with drain plugs for the diff. , that kind of sucks. Sorry to hear that.

 

[veedubtuner]

P.S. I am surprised to read here in this thread that later modes of the Ranger do not come with drain plugs for the diff. , that kind of sucks. Sorry to hear that.

I'm probably in that category as I have a 2023. I'm probably gonna look for a replacement rear cover here soon and change my the fluid myself. I'll Probably go with the Ford Performance one unless someone can recomend a better option?

 

[JohnnyO]

Anyone tried to pump rear differential fluid out though the fill plug? I figure I’ve already got the pump for the trans so why not use it? And avoid potential leaks if I drop the cover and change out the gasket instead. But, is it difficult to get the hose to the bottom of the diff?

I tried it on the front diff of my old Sport Trac and it didn't work. Hose was probably too fat to get deep enough. On older Rangers/Explorers/Sport Tracs the front diff cover is pretty much impossible to remove because the crossmember is right smack against it. For the front diff I'd just take it to the Valvoline Qwicky Lube.

 

[Titchadesh]

I'm probably in that category as I have a 2023. I'm probably gonna look for a replacement rear cover here soon and change my the fluid myself. I'll Probably go with the Ford Performance one unless someone can recomend a better option?

I have been leaning towards the FP cover as well, but I'm spooked by some of these reviews where the powder coat comes off almost immediately and becomes a rust magnet:

https://www.ford.com/product/bronco-m220-hd-rear-axle-differential-cover-p2747634402

I'm curious to know the long term durability experience of any members here who have had this cover on for some time.

Sponsored