G-56 Gear Lube

[Trizae]

I have been reading for days about the different gear oils folks are running in the g-56 and i have come to the conclusion that the ATF will be out of my truck on monday when the South Bend goes in.



Questions?



Can you buy Gorilla Juice off the shelve? (have to do clutch monday, dont have time to order)





According to Chrysler, the NV5600 Factory fill is the same as the NV3500, so the mopar Synthectic Transmission Lube (NV3500) is really the Pennzoil every one says is as good/almost as good as the Gorilla Juice.



with limited time to buy, whats the best I can buy for the shelve either at a chain store or from our parts department



Thanks

 

[EMAC2]

Buy the Penzoil Synchromesh at your local autoparts store. I recommend the MB spec MobilTrans SHC-DC, but others swear by Mike's Gorilla Juice, or the Penzoil. Penzoil is available on the shelf.....

 

[AH64ID]

The MB spec for the G56 is a GL-4, syncromesh is not GL-4 and not what MB specs. A lot of people use it without issues, but still not spec'd.

The Gorilla Juice is the only fluid I have seen that "meets" specs for the NV5600 and NV4500, which generally take different fluid. I say "meets" because there isn't much official about GJ out there, and the labels leave a lot to be desired. It works for a lot of people and probably is everything they say it is, just seems odd that it works in so many applications that have always spec'd different fluid.

 

[CKelley1]

we run pennzoil syncromesh but are trying three other oils, one of them gorilla juice. our g56's have trans-cools and temp gauges. one very nice oil is a 50-50 blend of synthetic syncromesh sae 50. i used dello but delvac and others make it and 5w-30 synthetic syncromesh it is very smooth and produces the lowest temp.

 

[KLauber]

The guys at Standard transmission said to use use either Amsoil ATF or MTF depending on the climate.

 

[Regcabguy]

Interesting. When I spoke to them after the article came out here about lubrication starvation from ATF+4 on the G-56's they recommended Pennsoil Synchromesh. Is ATF+4 a GL-4 rated lube?

 

[NIsaacs]

ATF can't possibly be good for manual transmissions. It has an agent/chemical (not sure of the technical term) that allows automatic clutches to not slip. That tells me ATF is not slippery enough for gears and bearings that see high torque loads.



Automatic transmissions are of a straight through design. They use clutches and planetary gear sets for gear reduction. Manuals use a counter shaft with high torque/friction loads because of it.



I use 15/40 engine oil in all mine, it works fine. Keep the oil clean and the transmission full. I don't overfill any of them.



Nick

 

[rscurtis]

ATF may not be the best for the transmissions we're discussing here, but it has been used as a MT lube for many years.

 

[wcjp]

Valvoline full synthetic at+4

 

[NIsaacs]

ATF may not be the best for the transmissions we're discussing here, but it has been used as a MT lube for many years.

Yes it has, in cars and light duty pickup trucks with no or light duty towing, mostly throw away vehicles. The ones you see in peoples back yard because one or more major components failed.



With the long life Cummins, the point here is to try and make the drive train last as long as possible. Some people trade every few years so it's not an issue for them. I keep my stuff forever it seems like. Dodge operator manuals for 1st and 2nd gen trucks say, transmissions don't need periodic service??? I think we can all agree that is bogus, however I am sure a lot of non member TDR owners follow this. Might Dodge give other bogus info?



If I only got 200,000 miles on a manual transmission, clutch or rear axle, that would be unacceptable.



Nick

 

[NIsaacs]

Out of curiosity, I did some research on manual transmission oils in cars and pickups. What I found was interesting.



Acura and Honda use 10/30 only.



Amc-Eagle-Jeep use only 75/90 also the following vehicles, cars and or trucks use 75/90 only. Colt, Geo, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Nissan, Suzuki and Toyota.



GM, Dodge and Ford use everything from ATF to 90 wt. and everything in between. Not a single import used ATF.



Nick

 

[Bill Stockard]

Dodge operator manuals for 1st and 2nd gen trucks say, transmissions don't need periodic service??? I think we can all agree that is bogus, however I am sure a lot of non member TDR owners follow this. Might Dodge give other bogus info?



If I only got 200,000 miles on a manual transmission, clutch or rear axle, that would be unacceptable.



Nick

"Planned obsolescence" ???



Bill

 

[rscurtis]

Keep in mind that back in the old days when standard transmissions were more common, many cars barely made it to 100K, much less 200K miles.

 

[Trizae]

I went with the pennzoil, put mopar ATF+4 back in the transfercase and the Mopar Axle lube (specifice to front and rear) In the axles, Probably wont wait 60,000 Miles to do the transfer case again with ATF+4, it was a little darker than I expected

 

[Regcabguy]

I went with the pennzoil, put mopar ATF+4 back in the transfercase and the Mopar Axle lube (specifice to front and rear) In the axles, Probably wont wait 60,000 Miles to do the transfer case again with ATF+4, it was a little darker than I expected

I drained my rear Mopar fluid @ 9K. It was as black as our engine oil and stunk to high heaven. Replaced it with Amsoil 75-90 Severe Duty. Checked the level today on the Mag-Hytec and the Amsoil is honey colored and looks brand new. This fluid has 31K on it

 

[AH64ID]

I drained my rear Mopar fluid @ 9K. It was as black as our engine oil and stunk to high heaven. Replaced it with Amsoil 75-90 Severe Duty. Checked the level today on the Mag-Hytec and the Amsoil is honey colored and looks brand new. This fluid has 31K on it

I have been using that fluid since 15K. When I changed it at 65K (50K on the fluid) it didn't look like it had 1K miles on it, let alone 50K.

 

[Regcabguy]

I have been using that fluid since 15K. When I changed it at 65K (50K on the fluid) it didn't look like it had 1K miles on it, let alone 50K.

Yeah,I'm impressed with their product. I think my G-56 is calling for some.

 

[Bob4x4]

Yes it has, in cars and light duty pickup trucks with no or light duty towing, mostly throw away vehicles. The ones you see in peoples back yard because one or more major components failed.



With the long life Cummins, the point here is to try and make the drive train last as long as possible. Some people trade every few years so it's not an issue for them. I keep my stuff forever it seems like. Dodge operator manuals for 1st and 2nd gen trucks say, transmissions don't need periodic service??? I think we can all agree that is bogus, however I am sure a lot of non member TDR owners follow this. Might Dodge give other bogus info?



If I only got 200,000 miles on a manual transmission, clutch or rear axle, that would be unacceptable.



Nick

VERY few transmissions,Clutches,will make it to 200k with out repairs

 

[Bob4x4]

I drained my rear Mopar fluid @ 9K. It was as black as our engine oil and stunk to high heaven. Replaced it with Amsoil 75-90 Severe Duty. Checked the level today on the Mag-Hytec and the Amsoil is honey colored and looks brand new. This fluid has 31K on it

There will always be more material in a diff during it's break in miles.

What you are describing is normal,the next interval always looks better. Sounds like you probably added the cover at 9k allowing lower temps to lend a hand as well

 

[NIsaacs]

VERY few transmissions,Clutches,will make it to 200k with out repairs

Since I don't have any data to support the above statement other then my own experience and vehicles... . my personal "opinion" stands by what I said.



Nick