Fluid recommendations?

[Horsepuller]

Since I bought the truck used and since I will be pulling my first long distance load next week I want to replace all the fluids so that I can start fresh and have some piece of mind.



What do you recommend for the 4X4 transfer case, the 6 speed manual, and the rear differential.



I am leaning towards synthetic as this truck will be pulling most of the time. Truck has 70k now.



Thanks

 

[RustyJC]

Dodge recommends synthetic in the rear axle for heavy towing. I went with the Royal Purple 85W-140 synthetic since we also tow heavy pulling our 5th wheel. The Royal Purple has the friction modifier formulated into the lubricant, so no supplemental friction modifier was required for my truck's limited slip differential. As the setup of each LSD varies, you may or may not need friction modifier to quell any chatter in your LSD.



Sorry - I can't help with the transfer case (I don't have one) or 6-speed lubricants (I haven't changed mine out yet).



Rusty

 

[Hohn]

Hopefully. this won't cause a dispute (fluids seem to get everyone all hot and bothered)...



If you like Dino oil, it's hard to beat Chevron Delo 400. If you like Syn, I'd recommend the Mobil 1 Truck and SUV, which is Mobil Delvac 1 in a different package. I just tried this stuff and the truck is VERY happy with it!



For the T-case, I use Redline D4 ATF.



For the transmission, I use Redline MTL. You may lose warrantee using this lube. Thyen again, you may never need it because the OEM lube (and not changing it) seem to be the causes of the rare NV5600 failure.



In the rear end, I think synthetics are a no-brainer. Rusty's using good stuff from Royal Purple. Heavy towing folks should also consider Redline's 80W-140 oil. If you REALLY abuse your truck (towing, off-roading, etc), you should consider the Redline Shockproof Heavy. It's closer to armor plating for gears than it is to a lube



I'm a big fan of synthetics in general, and Redline and Royal Purple in particular. I'm NOT sure that synthetics are worth the extra money in the engine (since a CTD will last a long time on dino), but in every OTHER place on the truck, I think that synthetics are the way to go...



JMHO



Justin

 

[Chipstien]

For dino I would use either Delo or Rotella. Everything else would be Amsoil synthetic. I would be running Synthetics in the motor too if I wasn't slightly over-fueled. However, I am sticking to dino with 5000 to 7000 mile intervals.

 

[Horsepuller]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I am going to go synthetic all around.

 

[Rman]

I put royal purple's synchromesh in my 6 speed and my tranfer case with good results. I changed both after 30k miles and the transfer case oil looked like the day I put it in. I'm going to push it's interval out to 50k. I'll probably stick with 30-50k interval for the 6 speed. I have amsoil 75-140 (I don't recommend this) in my front and rear axles. I use Rotella in the engine, smell doesn't bother me.

 

[Horsepuller]

The only Royal Purple I could find wa 5w-30 motor oil. My '93 CTD use to take 5w-30 oil in the Getrag 5 speed. Is the NV5600 the same in this respect?



I asked my local dealer what they are using for the NV5600 and he showed me a bottle for the NV3500 transmission????? And this bottle was made in 2003? What gives with that?

 

[mbaston]

5600 uses a different oil than the 3500 or the 4500. The factory 5600 fluid is the same as Penzoil syncromesh. I put Royal Purple syncromesh (max?)in mine... I am sure it was just coincidence, but I lost the bearings in the transmission about 10,000 miles later. Redline MTL seems to be the general concensus. After my transmission was rebuilt, the put the factory stuff back in. I will probably put Redline in it next change.

 

[Horsepuller]

That is what I thought. You can't even trust a dealership to get it right. You have to check everything. That is why I don't want the monkeys working there touching my truck. Sorry if I offended any monkeys? :-laf

 

[Horsepuller]

I have rechecked with another dealer, a dealer that moves a lot of CTDs,and they confirmed that the fluid for the 3500 meets the specs for the 5600. I hope so because I can't find any auto parts store that stock Penzoil syncromesh or Redline. I have been to Pepboys and Autozone and two independent shops. No one carries manual transmission fluid.

 

[Rman]

It is synchromax guys, sorry. You're right, manny fluid is hard to find. I have to order mine by the case of the net. www.rpmoil.com is where I bought my last batch. There website claims it suits the needs of the 5600 as well. However, amsoil also claims that it's HDD 5w-30 engine oil meets it... . deduce what you will from that. I think the shearing effect has a much different requirement than engine oil can provide.



I've just always liked RP for some reason, but I do agree Redline is some fine oil as well. I use it in my dirtbikes.

 

[RT66DOC]

I would be running Synthetics in the motor too if I wasn't slightly over-fueled.

Chipstien - This implies that dino is better for turned up motors. That's interesting. What's the logic there?

 

[Rman]

I think Chipstein was basing costs in his decision. He's not comfotable with fuel dilution because of his "overfueling" so he wants to change the oil regularly to keep the risk to a minimum. Changing synthetic oil every 5k is really a waste of oil and a waste of money... dino oil would do the trick for much less. Atleast this is the logic I read into it... whether or not i agree os another matter. To each his own... .

 

[amsoilman]

However, amsoil also claims that it's HDD 5w-30 engine oil meets it... . deduce what you will from that. I think the shearing effect has a much different requirement than engine oil can provide.



I've just always liked RP for some reason, but I do agree Redline is some fine oil as well. I use it in my dirtbikes.

Over the years, many Manual transmissions, have specified engine oil for a lubricant, and I have had the Amsoil 5W-30 in my NV-5600 for nearly 30,000 miles with no problems what so ever. Shifts very nicely, and especialy in the winter when it is cold. I look at it this way. If Amsoil Inc. recommends this fluid for the NV-5600, which they do, They will stand behind it if the fluid does infact cause a problem!



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[Rman]

Wayne you always keep an eye on these synthetic threads don't ya! You gotta see my truck now, I've been doing some mods to it. I'll have to stop by some time.



Since they recommend HDD 5-30 for the NV5600, what about all those additives designed for "engine" environments? Are these just circulated through with no ill effects? I have seen transmissions with engine oil requirements in the past, and understand that New Venture only tested one oil in this transmission even though many oils probably would fit the bill... . some better than others! Just curious...

 

[rweis]

IF you do dino for the engine I use Delo 400 because it has a slightly higher temp before it breaks down. When you shut down I feel it is less likely to coke in the turbine bearings.



I cool the pre EGT to 300 before shutdown in an effort to keep the turbine bearings from fouling. Same reason I use Delo 400, effort to keep the turbine bearings from fouling.



Bob Weis

 

[Hohn]

Wayne, I'm going to recommend against anyone running engine oil in a trans. While you've had good "luck" so far, I suspect it may just be luck.



The fact is, that engines and manual transmissions have different lubrication needs. There's no NEED for friction in an engine, but a trans MUST have some friction for the synchronizers to function properly. It's paradoxical, but a little MORE friction in a manual transmission lube will actually help the synchros last LONGER.



Moreover, a manny has a lot more shearing than an engine does, even in the valvetrain. It won't see as high a peak temperature as the engine oil (piston ring grooves, bores, valveguides, etc. ) There is NO brass in the engine, but there is in the trans (bearings don't get "worn to the brass" because there's no brass in the bearings).



There are many lubes that "work" in the NV5600. But very few are specifically designed for manual trannies. Out of those few that ARE specifically engineered for manual transmissions, I have yet to see anything that works as well in the 5600 as Redline MTL. Shift it to believe it.



Justin

 

[rweis]

There is a thread on the DTT site about trying engine oil as the transmission fluid. I think I recall that their conclusions were that they discontinued testing because there was more wear and there were sifting problems and design problems. Don't remember exactely, but DTT discontinued their research in that direction. Check the DTT site.



Bob Weis

 

[amsoilman]

Wayne, I'm going to recommend against anyone running engine oil in a trans. While you've had good "luck" so far, I suspect it may just be luck.



The fact is, that engines and manual transmissions have different lubrication needs. There's no NEED for friction in an engine, but a trans MUST have some friction for the synchronizers to function properly. It's paradoxical, but a little MORE friction in a manual transmission lube will actually help the synchros last LONGER.



Moreover, a manny has a lot more shearing than an engine does, even in the valvetrain. It won't see as high a peak temperature as the engine oil (piston ring grooves, bores, valveguides, etc. ) There is NO brass in the engine, but there is in the trans (bearings don't get "worn to the brass" because there's no brass in the bearings).



There are many lubes that "work" in the NV5600. But very few are specifically designed for manual trannies. Out of those few that ARE specifically engineered for manual transmissions, I have yet to see anything that works as well in the 5600 as Redline MTL. Shift it to believe it.



Justin

Justin,

I respect your opinion on this, but I also have to look at the FACTS. I can not see a manufacturer like Amsoil, who has been in business for over 30 years recommend the use of something IF they have not done thorough Technical and perfomance evaluations before a recommendation is made. They have too much to loose if they recommend something that is going to harm a component like a NV-5600 transmission, would'nt be good business as they would be out of business in short order!



They do recommend this lube in the NV-5600 6-speed transmission.



You say it is just luck that I have not had problems? I know of several trucks that have over 100,000 miles, and are still using this lube in their NV-5600's, so I really don't think it is luck at all!



Best regards,



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[Elite1]

I have the NV-5600 6 spd. trans, with 41,000 miles, it seems to shift a little more difficult at times especially in reverse, I would like to switch out the factory lube with Redline MTL... how may Qts. or gallons should I buy? Does the MTL only come in one weight, if so what is it, or which do I need?