3500 Transfer Case Fluid

[CROW]

Truck is a 2018 3500 dually 4WD with Aisen. Almost time to change the transfer case fluid. Knew the dealer would be high but with tax would be $41 a quart. I did not find an exact match on Amazon but they were high too.
Is there an acceptable alternative that is priced reasonably??
Thanks in advance.

 

[gsbrockman]

Truck is a 2018 3500 dually 4WD with Aisen. Almost time to change the transfer case fluid. Knew the dealer would be high but with tax would be $41 a quart. I did not find an exact match on Amazon but they were high too.
Is there an acceptable alternative that is priced reasonably??
Thanks in advance.

I have been running Dexron VI in O’Reilly Auto Parts house brand every 60k miles or so in my 2018 RAM 4500 Cab & Chassis. It’s not let me down yet.....and I’m at 385k miles as of this evening. Last time I bought it.....it was around $7.99/quart plus tax.

 

[Cummins12V98]

AMZ/OIL Signature Series Universal ATF. Two quarts and you are GOLDEN. 3/8" ratchet wrench for the drain and fill plus along with 13mm? for the skid plate if you have one. Fill til it pours out the hole. The ATF comes in a squeeze bottle that makes it a breeze to fill.

 

[AH64ID]

I’m also using Amsoil Universal ATF in my Aisin and Transfer Case. Both the associated fluid specs are printed on the label.

https://www.amsoil.com/p/signature-series-multi-vehicle-synthetic-automatic-transmission-fluid-atf/

 

[Cummins12V98]

AMZ/OIL has these great squeeze bottles. I like them for Transfer Case and rear Diff fill.

#ad

 

[Tuesdak]

May as well order the AMSOIL diff oil and do them too. Saves on shipping that way. I regret not adding one of their "better" oil filters to my order with the 6 month oil change.

 

[AH64ID]

May as well order the AMSOIL diff oil and do them too. Saves on shipping that way. I regret not adding one of their "better" oil filters to my order with the 6 month oil change.

Its the same filter as the Donaldson DBL7349. I’m an Amsoil dealer but buy my Donaldson Filters on Amazon at a decent savings.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I have three AMZ/OIL Cummins oil filters that have been on back order for two months.

looks like I may have to suffer with getting the “BLUE” one from SCAMAZON.​

 

[gsbrockman]

Two quarts and you are GOLDEN.

So.....does that translate that I would only be BRONZE or SILVER with the O’Reilly Auto Parts house brand Dexron VI?

 

[Cummins12V98]

So.....does that translate that I would only be BRONZE or SILVER with the O’Reilly Auto Parts house brand Dexron VI?

Reminds me of a Plumbing Contractor that did a Dental Clinic for me. They were called Bronze Plumbing. Based on their performance they earned my label of “Third Place Plumbing”

 

[gsbrockman]

Reminds me of a Plumbing Contractor that did a Dental Clinic for me. They were called Bronze Plumbing. Based on their performance they earned my label of “Third Place Plumbing”

Don’t tell that to my transfer case, as it’s made it through 385k miles on the Dexron VI every 60k miles or so.....so far.

 

[Wiredawg]

Add me to the list of Dexron VI users for the transfer case. If @gsbrockman rig is fine with it, good nuff for me.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Add me to the list of Dexron VI users for the transfer case. If @gsbrockman rig is fine with it, good nuff for me.

yea but his rig has a pampered life. Lots of freeway miles without stopping. Heck he could use AMZ?/OIL with the same results.

 

[AH64ID]

@gsbrockman why Dextron VI? Not saying it doesn’t work, as you have proven it does, it’s just the new “fuel efficient” and very thin ATF.

 

[JR]

Dexron VI is thinner when new compared to older specs but has the same allowable 5.5cst as previous specs. Like ATF+4 compared to +3 It has lower shear limits.

 

[gsbrockman]

@gsbrockman why Dextron VI? Not saying it doesn’t work, as you have proven it does, it’s just the new “fuel efficient” and very thin ATF.

JHenderson posted on here that a friend of his at the plant that manufactures the transfer cases stated the factory fill was Dexron VI.

 

[gsbrockman]

yea but his rig has a pampered life. Lots of freeway miles without stopping. Heck he could use AMZ?/OIL with the same results.

It might even last longer on your favorite potion, due to less drag from me having a much lighter wallet.

 

[AH64ID]

JHenderson posted on here that a friend of his at the plant that manufactures the transfer cases stated the factory fill was Dexron VI.

Interesting since the factory fluid spec for transfer case fluid is listed on the standard ATF, and not the same fluid as Dextron VI.

 

[gsbrockman]

Interesting since the factory fluid spec for transfer case fluid is listed on the standard ATF, and not the same fluid as Dextron VI.

I’m not as knowledgeable about fluids as you are, but all I know is fluids were the same for the 2003(?) through 2012 transfer cases (ATF+4) then 2013 and up went with the BW44-44 fluid in those era transfer cases.

In any event.....it may just be that nearly anything would work, sans some type of additive that was missing to protect any special metals within.

 

[AH64ID]

Yeah I’m not sure what the change was for the BW fluid, other that it’s expensive.

The Amsoil ATF also doesn’t help delineate the differences in fluids as ASRC and ATF+4 are also on the bottle, thou it does make it nice for 1 stop Ram shopping