15,000 mile service (any heads-up?)

[SSZambrano]

am trying to do this myself and at various shops

seems to save me several hundred dollars per 7500 miles

just finished foward and rear differentials

dealer stated 3. 8qts per differrential

rear took 3, forward took 2

dealer wanted to use SAE 75W-140 synthetic @ $16/qt

manual recommends SAE 75W-90 synthetic @ $8/qt

went with Mobil SAE 75W-90 Synth



who makes MOPAR oils anyway?

the dealer gives no discounts for case of 12 quarts

and Autozone does for Castrol products

Mobil makes an excellent filter

who makes MOPAR's ?



are there any "heads-up" for this early mileage service?

this '05 dual rear wheel, limited slip differential, 4x4, manual transmission

is used for bumper towing livestock trailers on and off road

and the occasional trip to big bend national park and the rockies



any and all help is trully appreciated

thanks,

sergio

 

[fkovalski]

... the dealer gives no discounts for case of 12 quarts...

There are many threads about oils. I use Delvac 1300. Goes for $5. 87/ gallon at Walmart. Might be more now. I bought for my next 10 oil changes a while ago. I change my oil every 4K miles.



I will let others chime in on the other questions you asked as I am interested as well.



-frank.

 

[DPKetchum]

The Mopar filter for the diesel is Fleetguard. Top quality. Probably better then the one you bought. Some discussion on gear oil weights is for heavy pulling the 75w140 has been recomended many times. Some TSB's have come down with this mentioned. Eaither will probably be ok but the dealer was not OFF using the 75w140. Depends on the dealer for oil but whats in the BLUE Mopar jugs I believe is Valvoline. The dealer WON"T be as cheap on fliuds or filters as a DISCOUNT auto parts store but their products are good quality if not better IMHO.

 

[jwduke]

Another vote for Delvac 1300 here

 

[EBottema]

If you are hauling. use 140 in the rear diff. If not 90 is okay in both front and rear diffs. I believe valvoline and castrol both make DC fluids. Do yourself a favor and buy Amsoil HD fluid for your transmission, t/c, and diffs. Amsoil makes a great oil at a good price, you can order online from their site and the oil is cheaper than the dealer, comperable with parts store prices. Use regular Delo or other dino oil favorite in the engine. Change the oil every 7500 miles and only use fleetguard oil and fuel filters...

 

[Black Ram Alpha]

My 2003 Ram differental was "half full" from the factory . (no apparent leaks either) It must have got very hot as all the paint was burnt off the diff cover. I sucked out the remaining gear oil (nasty stuff for only 25K in truck) and replaced it with a valvoline 90-140 synthetic blend for about 5 bucks a quart. (Auto zone) (it Took 4 quarts) So now im going to sand blast the cover ,and repaint it to see if it burns the paint off again. The truck was made in Mexico but that may have nothing to do with where the rear . end was made. Just sharing my experience is all .

 

[Diesel Nut]

I have used 75-90 in my rear end since new and havent had any heat problems. I tow about 13k and the truck is around 10K, and its got about 76K miles on it now. Started out with Redline and swapped it out at 20K for Amsoil. I still have the factory cover, too.

 

[Bob4x4]

My 2003 Ram differental was "half full" from the factory . (no apparent leaks either) It must have got very hot as all the paint was burnt off the diff cover. I sucked out the remaining gear oil (nasty stuff for only 25K in truck) and replaced it with a valvoline 90-140 synthetic blend for about 5 bucks a quart. (Auto zone) (it Took 4 quarts) So now im going to sand blast the cover ,and repaint it to see if it burns the paint off again. The truck was made in Mexico but that may have nothing to do with where the rear . end was made. Just sharing my experience is all .

The recomended interval is 15k for the diff-severe service I don't see many diesels that don't get that kind of use,I will bet your fluid did look nasty



Bob

 

[DPKetchum]

Actually I know TWO that first service was at 90k and fliud wasn't bad looking!

 

[Bob4x4]

Actually I know TWO that first service was at 90k and fliud wasn't bad looking!

I do them 5 days a week and I haven't seen 2 that were good looking yet :-laf :-laf :-laf



Bob

 

[TowPro]

how many miles should I put on it until I switch over to 90w140? I get to drive it around 3000 miles before towing season starts.

 

[Bob4x4]

how many miles should I put on it until I switch over to 90w140? I get to drive it around 3000 miles before towing season starts.

I added the Mag-hytek cover The first month I had my 05,the way I use My trucks I want the best I can get as soon as I can get it



Bob

 

[Lorenz]

What weight oil do you recommend bob?



My rear end looked clean at 30K on it's first change.