MOPAR BW44-44 transfer case fluid

[JR]

This is what is called out in my owners manual for my manual shift transfer case. Is there an acceptable alternative to the MOPAR BW44-44 transfer case fluid or is this the grand pumba of fluids? I only ask because (1) I do not have a dealership nearby and (2) it is quite pricey! Although not necessarily in the grand scheme of diesel pickup ownership :-laf


Thank you as always.

 

[NIsaacs]

Not much info here, but some: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/showthread.php?254501&p=2465389#post2465389

Just never mind the steak dinner this week and own up:-laf

Nick

 

[JR]

Just never mind the steak dinner this week and own up:-laf

Nick

Ahh yes, but when you own the whole cow the steaks are a package deal


I'm somewhat surprised there is no other cross for this fluid, probably why it's nearly $30 a quart

In that post you linked Russel quoted his intervals at 30k miles yet this link says 60k miles.
http://m.cumminshub.com/cummins-maintenance.html
I thought that's what I saw in my book but will have to double check.

 

[Dieselnerd]

My Diesel Supplement Manual says to check the transfer case fluid every 30,000 miles and change the fluid every 60,000 miles or 48 months.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I changed mine out to AMZ/OIL Universal ATF.

 

[JR]

I changed mine out to AMZ/OIL Universal ATF.

Did you do that under the recommendation of Amsoil?

 

[Newsa]

My Diesel Supplement Manual says to check the transfer case fluid every 30,000 miles and change the fluid every 60,000 miles or 48 months.

So my transmission is Mercedes and my Tfer case is Borg-Warner. I will be changing out both fluids and adding transmission coolers to my g56 this summer at 30,000. Will be removing the shifters from the top and pouring in up to the top.

 

[jhenderson]

The word in some other posts comes from someone with a friend at BW. He claims they leave BW with Dexron in them. BW says use what Ram recommends. That tells me the case isn't that finicky. Remember FCA puts ATF in the G56 while Mercedes uses Delvac 50. They also tell you only their fluid in the Aisin. The sticker on the placed side of the transmission by Aisin says Mobil 3309. That fluid just happens to cost about 1/3 of what the dealer charges for the Mopar equivilant. Next change I'll put in the Dexron.

 

[Newsa]

BW says use what Ram recommends. That tells me the case isn't that finicky.

Probably very similar to the Cummins endorsement of "Power Service Diesel Klean + Cetane."

I'm sure the agreement between BW and FCA is that they recommend the manufacturer's fluid. (Mopar)

Chrysler will argue that their ATF4+ is superior to Dexron and Mercon. But when looking at the G56, there is no fluid drive/fluid coupling torque converter, fewer pressurized seals, no valves or nozzles, etc. So the properties of the fluid are less important. It is really just a lubricant in the g56 and transfer case.

I found an interesting amsoil product used in the allison trannies in busses, road graders, and heavy equipment called AMSOIL Torque Drive. It is not ATF4+, but is more than adequate for both my G56 & transfer case.

 

[jhenderson]

The problem is FCA doesn't recommend ATF+4 in the BW case. They label it transfer case fluid and charge $25 a quart for it.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Did you do that under the recommendation of Amsoil?

I swear it said to use the Universal ATF last Summer but now it says to use the OE stuff. Oh well after 5k no issues!!!

 

[Flash1034]

That can't be some magical elixir. There has to be a cheaper alternative that easily cross references. No one would make a transfer case that requires a one off fluid....would they?

 

[JR]

That can't be some magical elixir. There has to be a cheaper alternative that easily cross references. No one would make a transfer case that requires a one off fluid....would they?

I suspect not but there is not one single spec on the bottle other than it is essentially a 32w oil...yet it is red in color so it obviously has some different additives than hydraulic oil. I ended up buying 2 quarts through my local dealer@ $33 a quart

Stupid expensive, yes, but not worth the risk to me.

 

[JR]

The word in some other posts comes from someone with a friend at BW. He claims they leave BW with Dexron in them. BW says use what Ram recommends. That tells me the case isn't that finicky. Remember FCA puts ATF in the G56 while Mercedes uses Delvac 50. They also tell you only their fluid in the Aisin. The sticker on the placed side of the transmission by Aisin says Mobil 3309. That fluid just happens to cost about 1/3 of what the dealer charges for the Mopar equivilant. Next change I'll put in the Dexron.

I found this interesting and did a very unofficial comparison between the BW fluid and some Dexron I have on the shelf. They are visually similar in appearance - visc, feel, etc. The BW fluid however has a much stronger smell to it, not that that means a thing but I was a little surprised how pungent the BW smells compared to the Dexron.

 

[Newsa]

I found this interesting and did a very unofficial comparison between the BW fluid and some Dexron I have on the shelf. They are visually similar in appearance - visc, feel, etc. The BW fluid however has a much stronger smell to it, not that that means a thing but I was a little surprised how pungent the BW smells compared to the Dexron.

Just for clarification, the BW fluid you mention is the OEM one from Ram? Not the Dexron in the post you quoted?

 

[JR]

I used the Mopar BW44-44 fluid and compared it to some Dexron I had on the shelf.

 

[CMB]

HOLD THE BUS.....I guess I'm just as confused as everyone else. Is this saying NOT to use ATF+4 in the t-case? I thought for sure I read the BW case took +4.
Oh boy-:{

 

[6V92TA]

if you ever took a transfer case apart and saw what was inside you'd quickly come to the realization that it aint so complicated that
it needs special 30 dollar a quart lube but you can buy 30 dollar a quart special lube for it if you so desire.

anybdy ever owned a Harley and use the Primary Chaincase Lube the Moco sells for 10 bucks a quart.?
I've used 15w40 in mine for years with no ill effects,
same applies to transfer cases.

 

[Newsa]

I bought the mopar stuff.

But someone in one of these threads said BW uses dexron???

 

[JR]

It's definitely not dexron. The color and smell is very different. But, apparently it's been used by a few members on here.