Transfer Case Fluid color?

[sag2]

TechConnect is the FSM. FYI, my 2018 2500 (BW 44-46) specifies the Mopar Transfer Case Fluid, but when I changed it, the fluid that came out was red. I used Amsoil ATF for the replacement fluid.

 

[seafish]

Interesting Borg Warner TC lube thread with seemingly valid answers over at CF --

https://www.cumminsforum.com/threads/bw-t-case-fluid-answers-inside.2471403/

 

[crazy jerry]

Thanks for this. What is TechConnect?

My Owner's Manual (P 682) states: "We recommend you use Mopar BW44–44 Transfer Case Fluid."

So my 2500 Tradesman apparently came with a BW 44-44 transfer case and the dealer telling me to use part number 68049954AA (clear) is consistent with your list above.

But this still does not answer the question as to why the OEM fluid in my TC was red...

44-46 ,44-47 were the only tcase used from 14-18 in 2500/3500 trucks. the difference was one had dash knob with electric engage. the other was manual with floor shifter. both used same red mopar borgwarner fluid, although it may well just be atf+4 in disguise, but im not going to open that can of worms

 

[James1]

44-46 ,44-47 were the only tcase used from 14-18 in 2500/3500 trucks. the difference was one had dash knob with electric engage. the other was manual with floor shifter. both used same red mopar borgwarner fluid, although it may well just be atf+4 in disguise, but im not going to open that can of worms

This may well be true but in both the Owners Manual and the Diesel Supplement for my 2017 2500 Tradesman the instructions clearly say to use Mopar BW44-44 Transfer Case Fluid. So now I'm more confused than ever...

 

[James1]

Interesting Borg Warner TC lube thread with seemingly valid answers over at CF --

https://www.cumminsforum.com/threads/bw-t-case-fluid-answers-inside.2471403/

Based on the info contained in the referenced Cummins Forum thread, Borg-Warner ships the transfer case filled with red fluid and then washes its hands of the matter -- instructing end users to follow the fluid recommendation of the truck manufacturer. And Dodge/Ram (as opposed to Borg-Warner) is now telling me to use the clear stuff. This all makes sense to me, although I would feel better if Borg-Warner would weigh in. They almost certainly know more about their own transfer cases than does Dodge/Ram...

 

[James1]

TechConnect is the FSM.

Thank you! Please tell me how to gain access to TechConnect? Is it possible you mean TechAuthority?

I'm new to the world of modern trucks; the FSM for my 1993 (see photograph in my avatar) is sitting on my bookshelf and is printed on something call paper...

 

[James1]

44-46 ,44-47 were the only tcase used from 14-18 in 2500/3500 trucks. the difference was one had dash knob with electric engage. the other was manual with floor shifter.

My 2017 truck is a 2500 with the electric engage dash knob -- which transfer case do I have? Is there a Borg-Warner label on the case itself which will enable me to identify it?

I long for the simplicity of my 1993; the NP205 transfer case in that truck is filled with ordinary gear dope...

 

[Cummins12V98]

AMZ/OIL spec for 3500 1018 RAM 6.7 TD transfer case.

 

[CToney]

The fluid not to use is Bud Light, its like making love in a canoe, f*^#ing near water. Even though it might be kinda clear the viscosity isn’t high enough.

Why can’t OEMs have reasonably priced quality fluids that people would actually by from them.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Reasonably priced everything would be nice!!!

I get 20% off at my Local Dealer. Known the parts guy for several years and I give him some Dungeness crab every year.

 

[crazy jerry]

This may well be true but in both the Owners Manual and the Diesel Supplement for my 2017 2500 Tradesman the instructions clearly say to use Mopar BW44-44 Transfer Case Fluid. So now I'm more confused than ever... View attachment 127059 View attachment 127060

your making it more complicated than what it really is. electric engage is 44-46. lever engage is 44-47. bw44-44 fluid is the name given to whats in the bottle. its red and very likely could be rebadged atf+4. this is the fluid you need. atf+4 labeled fluid probly would work just the same. dexlll probly would do just as well. the part#in the 2017 manual has been superceded but the new # is still red fluid, likely just atf+4. clear stuff im not sure, could be for 1500 or durangos

 

[Ozymandias]

.... clear stuff im not sure, could be for 1500 or durangos

Exactly, the little ones have a clutch style TC and therefor need a special fluid.

The HDs TC is as simple as it always was, a chain, a couple sprockets and gears and some dog clutches.
There is really nothing magic in them that they wouldn't run on ANY ATF fluid.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

A few years .ago I bought enough BW 44-44 red fluid from Mopar for two changes, Mopar #68089195AA.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

BTW, my 2013 owner's manual diesel supplement recommends 44-44 fluid.

 

[Ozymandias]

BTW, my 2013 owner's manual diesel supplement recommends 44-44 fluid.

Seems logically correct to me to do so, so workshops can't mess up with the fluids.
One can put the expensive sauce into a basic TC - but one shouldn't put the cheap fluid into the expensive TC.

 

[sag2]

Thank you! Please tell me how to gain access to TechConnect? Is it possible you mean TechAuthority?

I'm new to the world of modern trucks; the FSM for my 1993 (see photograph in my avatar) is sitting on my bookshelf and is printed on something call paper...

It is sort of TechAuthority. TA is the retail version (pay per view) of the dealers TechConnect. TA would have all the same repair info, but not sure it would include the maintenance information. OM may be best for that.

 

[James1]

your making it more complicated than what it really is. electric engage is 44-46. lever engage is 44-47. bw44-44 fluid is the name given to whats in the bottle. its red and very likely could be rebadged atf+4. this is the fluid you need. atf+4 labeled fluid probly would work just the same. dexlll probly would do just as well. the part#in the 2017 manual has been superceded but the new # is still red fluid, likely just atf+4. clear stuff im not sure, could be for 1500 or durangos

Okay; my TC is a BorgWarner 44-46. Thanks for the help on that. Here is a photo of the label on the bottle the local Ram dealer sold me (and the part number was later confirmed by a second Ram dealer):

In three languages the label says it is for the BorgWarner 44-40 and for the 2016 and newer BorgWarner 44-44.

My concern is that the label does NOT say this fluid is suitable for my BorgWarner 44-46, and I assure you this fluid is NOT red in color. Should I be concerned about either of these facts?

I thank you all for chiming in. I may well be overcomplicating the issue but we are now almost 40 posts into this thread and I feel as though I'm still unclear on the answer to said question.

 

[JR]

James, Sag2 was employed with Chrysler for many years. The info he provided can be taken to the bank. Post #12 has your answer.

 

[James1]

James, Sag2 was employed with Chrysler for many years. The info he provided can be taken to the bank. Post #12 has your answer.

I'm sorry to be a noodge, but Sag2 reports that TechConnect recommends Fluid #68089195 for my BorgWarner 44-46. Meanwhile, my Owner's Manual recommends I utilized the fluid for a BorgWarner 44-44 (i.e., Fluid #68049954). Is there any logical reason why I'm seeing a disconnect between my Owner's Manual and TechConnect?

Again, thank you so much for all this info. I've been a First Genner for years, am new to the world of Fourth Generation, and am completely unfamiliar with TechConnect. If I'm doing nothing but annoying you folks then I can take this to a PM discussion with Sag2. Please know that I appreciate your help...

 

[AH64ID]

The fluid you want for a 2500/3500 is BW44-44 fluid. It’s red and has the part number 68089195AA.

BW numbering isn’t the most straight forward.

If you look at the pic that @Joseph Donnelly posted it matches owners manual.

In all actuality it probably doesn’t matter which one of the two you run.