I was shocked as well how small the oil change intervals are on the diffs on the dodges
Coming from ford where they are over 100k
I guess there is very little oil in these and no friction modifiers

From Rear diff is aprox 4.5 quarts and front is aprox 2.5 quarts

I am going to be switching mine to the amsoil severe gear

 

Yeah right on. You plan on changing your transmission fluid at the same time?

Do you suspect you can extend the change intervals if the amsoil is used?

I am thinking amsoil as well, I might be able to get it at a discount....

Also wondering if you plan to use the stock covers and if they require a new gasket to be put back on...?

LH

 

Why do you say the mag byte is a big no-no? Are you only referring to the front because of the clearance issues? I haven't changed my d/f yet, but I plan on doing amsoil severe gear as well. I read others saying they reuse the gaskets. If you don't tow heavy and being up north, the need for lower temps shouldn't really be an issue...just my .02, but the convenience for future changes would be nice. Saving nearly $600 on the pans (diffs) would buy a lot of gaskets though.

 

I read a post where the front diff cover gets in the way of the shocks or something? Of course I can't find the thread at the moment, but it is here on CumminsForum.

As for the temperature here... Where I am at the winters average about 5° C and the summer about 25-35° C. In any event, as long as the OEM covers aren't total garbage, I'll probably hang on to them for at least another year or so. I just wanted opinions on whether or not it is a worthwhile upgrade... IE: will it extend the longevity of the diffs...

The more I read, the more I get the impression amsoil is the way to go...

LH

 

The factory recommendation for automatic transmission fluid change (68RFE trans) is 60K miles for "severe usage" (fleet, frequent trailer towing, etc.) and 120K miles for normal usage. Check your owner's manual.

Many dealers have their own "recommended" service intervals. In most cases, I think these are focused more on preserving the dealer's profitability than your truck's longevity.

 

Mag Hytek VS. WHOM ELSE????

May I ask why you stated that Mag Hytek is a "big no-no" Long Horn?
Did you read something somewhere that was negative about this brand? To be honest I read they are one of the very best brands to use for diff and tranny covers? Could this be another case of personal preference info at all?

Would be very interested in what this thought process is derived from since these are nest on my mod list (rear diff and trans pan only-not front due to clearance issues) so if you dont mind please fill me (us) in on how you come to this conclusion. You are welcome to PM me this info if you dont feel comfortable discussing it in the open buddy?

Many many thanks!

Gunny

 

May I ask why you stated that Mag Hytek is a "big no-no" Long Horn?
Did you read something somewhere that was negative about this brand? To be honest I read they are one of the very best brands to use for diff and tranny covers? Could this be another case of personal preference info at all?

Would be very interested in what this thought process is derived from since these are nest on my mod list (rear diff and trans pan only-not front due to clearance issues) so if you dont mind please fill me (us) in on how you come to this conclusion. You are welcome to PM me this info if you dont feel comfortable discussing it in the open buddy?

Many many thanks!

Gunny

I read a thread on here yesterday wherin the OP stated that the front diff cover he purchased from Mag Hytek was too large (even though it had been re-engineered) and was in the way of the shocks or sway bar or something. It sounds like a real disaster. To boot, the customer service doesn't sound all that great either....

Here is the thread: http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/07-5-09-3rd-gen-6-7-liter-general-discussion/558440-front-diff-mag-hytec-cover.html

Don't get me wrong, I am no pro. So don't take my word for it, and don't quote me on that. I'm a pretty simple man and I rely heavily on the information on this forum. :S:

By all means do your own DD, but it looks like at a minimum the Mag Hytek front diff cover is to be avoided, unless you're handy with a grinder and want to modify the part.

The factory recommendation for automatic transmission fluid change (68RFE trans) is 60K miles for "severe usage" (fleet, frequent trailer towing, etc.) and 120K miles for normal usage. Check your owner's manual.

Many dealers have their own "recommended" service intervals. In most cases, I think these are focused more on preserving the dealer's profitability than your truck's longevity.

Hey TE thanks for the advice man. I am right there with you on this one. I did actually check my owner's manual and it states that the transmission fluid and transfer case fluid must be changed at 104,000 km or 48 months if the vehicle is used for polie, taxi, fleet or frequent trailer towing. I asked the fellas at the dealership about the discrepancy and they couldn't explain why their computer gave a much shorter number.... I think the comment was something like "well Chrystler wants it done at XXX interval". I think what I might do is actually just call Chrystler. Outside of whatever impact deleting all the hippy BS off my truck is going to have, I would like to keep the warranty people happy, but the data they are giving me is crazy!

Ironically, the owners manual also states that the front and rear diff fluid doesn't need to be changed until 117,000 km and has the same blanket statement about severe service.

LH

 

Just my opinion here but changing diff fluid every 25,000km (15,700mi) seems ridiculously overzealous to me. After my first change with good synthetic oil I'll triple that interval.

 

I hear that for sure! I use Amsoil so I do in fact increase the intervals a bit longer.

 

Just got off the phone with Chrystler.... In a nut shell, I was told to follow the minimum guidelines as laid out in the maintenance schedule for the truck. Anything above and beyond that is not required by Chrystler in order to satisfy warranty requirements.

Interestingly, that also includes engine oil change intervals. I have been getting it changed every time the ECM threw the "change engine oil" message. I was told I can just reset the code and keep on trucking, as long as the oil is changed every 6 months or 13k, whatever comes first.

I commented about how the local dealership told me that Chrystler wanted the diff fluid changed every 25k. The reps comments were basically something to the effect that each individual dealership is a business and may make recommendations, but they are not requirements.

It's highway robbery as far as I am concerned. I'm going to talk with the service manager about it the next time I am in there, but needless to say I am not changing my diff fluid or trans fluid any time soon.

Thanks for everyone's feedback.

Case closed.

LH

 

i didn't believe every 15000 miles change diff fluid. but grabbed the owners manual and sure enough you guys are right. that's every oil change. the diffs i always paid the least attention to. so having 15000 mile engine oil changes is part of the low cost of ownership (they advertised) my azz. false advertising on rams part, they found another way to make there money back!

 

Murr...

The owners manual (and Chrystler) say otherwise. Check out your maintenance schedule..

LH

 

The base owner's manual (which is for gasoline engine trucks) says (for 2012 MY, at least) to inspect the fluid every 24,000 miles, and change it if using the truck for police, fleet, taxi, or frequent trailer towing.

But the Diesel Supplement (which covers diesel trucks) says to do this, every 15,000 miles.

Interestingly, I guess this means (technically) that if you're NOT using the truck for police, fleet, taxi, or frequent trailer towing, you never have to change the fluid? Just "inspect" it?

 

I brought up the same point with the Chrystler rep. I was told that, to satisfy my warranty, that is all that is required....

So I'm not sure what to think. Honestly, I figure at around the 100k mark I'll take a sample and send it off and just go that route. At the moment, I'm not sure how exactly to proceed. But I know one thing for sure, warranty will cover the diffs if I don't change the fluid (assuming I don't/didn't void my warranty......... *cough*delete*cough*)

LH

 

I changed my front and rear diffs and transfer case at 47,000km, everything looks awesome could hardly see a wear pattern on the gears. I wouldn't worry about it, change em at 100 000km after your first one. I used amsoil severe gear 75-90 in both diffs, and ATF+4 in the transfer case. I'll leave the tranny alone until 100 000km and then only do the filter and whatever oil fell out of the pan. Yes both diffs have a reusable gasket that has no problems being removed and reused.


Sent from AutoGuide.com App

 

Thank you! :thumbsup:

LH

 

LH.
Going back to the Mag Hytek issue again. Yes I have heard the same thing about the front diff cover being in too tight an area, actually heard not too many aftermarket ones fit in there good at all, not just the Hytek one. Def agree w ya!
I do plan on going with them on rear and trans pan though since I have read they make theirs out of a harder material than most others- who the hell knows 100% for sure ya know?

And I agree 110% with those who went not only with Amsoil for thejr engine but without any doubt the severe gear for diffs and their ATF + for the tranny!! I must say I'm overly impressed with everything I got from them after becoming a Preferred Customer and would be more than happy to hook anyone up w the great guy who paid my fees and got me hooked up in the program! I knkw there are several on here who are able to take care of members with this wholesale program as well but I've never met a nicer guy than the one I use!
Matter of fact that reminds me I need to order more diff and tranny fluids since the Hytek covers require more of that precious fluid we call Amsoil.

Always here to help folks! More contacts than Bausch & Lomb when it comes to everything from Amsoil to wheels, tires and anything under the hood! Just a Marine 1stSgt taking care of all the troops here. Not looking to offend or get anyone's panties up their crack. ** guess I better not say that and tranny in same sentence though should I? - lol

 

so if a changed my truck out with the Amsoil how long can I go before I need to change it again? Also If I do the Hyteck they hold more oil so can I go longer intervals without changing the oil because of the added capacity? Also I believe I need the AMSOIL Severe Gear® Synthetic Extreme Pressure (EP)?