Differential lubricant recommendations

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

usocazy

Senior Member
Joined
May 11, 2013
Posts
292
Reaction score
45
Location
San Antonio, Texas
Ram Year
2004
Engine
Hemi 5.7l
Looking to change the lubricant in my differential this weekend. 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 2WD.

So according to my Haynes manual, it says to use Mopar Synthetic gear lubricant SAE 75W-90.

Can I use any gear lubricant so long as it's 75W-90 weight? Based on my year, I don't need to add limited slip differential fluid, correct? Is one 32 ounce bottle enough?

IMG_0003.JPG

Autozone has a bunch of SAE 75W-90 weight lubricants so I'm investigating my options.
IMG_0004.JPG
IMG_0005.JPG
IMG_0006.JPG


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
OP
OP
usocazy

usocazy

Senior Member
Joined
May 11, 2013
Posts
292
Reaction score
45
Location
San Antonio, Texas
Ram Year
2004
Engine
Hemi 5.7l
Well, guess I'll just run any 75W-90 gear oil and hope for the best. [emoji12]

Found the fluid amount on the next page of my manual. Helps to read stuff fully from time to time.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

xtremewlr

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2015
Posts
809
Reaction score
354
Location
Tucson, AZ
Ram Year
2004
Engine
Hemi
2004 hemi, you should have the LSD rear end and therefore should add the LSD fluid. Comes in a small tube and you add it to the gear oil. Assuming you have the stock gearing and LSD still.

Scratch that, I scrolled up and saw you have a 2500. Looking at the owner's manual, the 2500 uses the 75w-90 and does not require the LSD additive. My bad.

2500/3500 Model Front and Rear Axle
Synthetic, GL-5 SAE, 75W-90. Limited-Slip 10.5/11.5 inch Rear Axles DO
NOT REQUIRE a limited slip additive.
 
Last edited:

xtremewlr

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2015
Posts
809
Reaction score
354
Location
Tucson, AZ
Ram Year
2004
Engine
Hemi
Fluid Capacities: REAR AXLE ± .03 L (1 oz)
9 1/4 - 2.32 L (4.9 pts.)*** With Trac-Lok add 118 ml (4 oz.) of Limited Slip Additive.
10 1/2 AA - 2.25 L (4.75 pts.)
11 1/2 AA - 3.62 L (7.65 pts)
 
OP
OP
usocazy

usocazy

Senior Member
Joined
May 11, 2013
Posts
292
Reaction score
45
Location
San Antonio, Texas
Ram Year
2004
Engine
Hemi 5.7l
2004 hemi, you should have the LSD rear end and therefore should add the LSD fluid. Comes in a small tube and you add it to the gear oil. Assuming you have the stock gearing and LSD still.

Scratch that, I scrolled up and saw you have a 2500. Looking at the owner's manual, the 2500 uses the 75w-90 and does not require the LSD additive. My bad.

2500/3500 Model Front and Rear Axle
Synthetic, GL-5 SAE, 75W-90. Limited-Slip 10.5/11.5 inch Rear Axles DO
NOT REQUIRE a limited slip additive.



Thanks for the confirmation. It's always good to have a second set of eyes on things. [emoji102]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
OP
OP
usocazy

usocazy

Senior Member
Joined
May 11, 2013
Posts
292
Reaction score
45
Location
San Antonio, Texas
Ram Year
2004
Engine
Hemi 5.7l
Having the hardest time finding a gasket for my differential at a decent price. All I'm finding is one at Rock Auto for about $30 shipped. Is that the going rate? I've got a 10.5" differential.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

MarshRam

Senior Member
Joined
May 24, 2017
Posts
2,209
Reaction score
1,412
Location
Florida
Ram Year
2014 SLT 4x4, 2012 ST
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Having the hardest time finding a gasket for my differential at a decent price. All I'm finding is one at Rock Auto for about $30 shipped. Is that the going rate? I've got a 10.5" differential.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You can always opt for some rtv gasket maker. Just pulled my diff yesterday, it had rtv on it from the last change and I used it again.
 
OP
OP
usocazy

usocazy

Senior Member
Joined
May 11, 2013
Posts
292
Reaction score
45
Location
San Antonio, Texas
Ram Year
2004
Engine
Hemi 5.7l
You can always opt for some rtv gasket maker. Just pulled my diff yesterday, it had rtv on it from the last change and I used it again.



I was thinking about possibly going that way. Thanks for the input. If my cheap gene keeps kicking then I may opt to buy a tube of RTV and call it good. [emoji12]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

MarshRam

Senior Member
Joined
May 24, 2017
Posts
2,209
Reaction score
1,412
Location
Florida
Ram Year
2014 SLT 4x4, 2012 ST
Engine
Hemi 5.7
I was thinking about possibly going that way. Thanks for the input. If my cheap gene keeps kicking then I may opt to buy a tube of RTV and call it good. [emoji12]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I would say the only downfall is cleaning it off the next time you change. Not a huge deal, but a little extra work. Otherwise, seals fine so long as the bead is good and you press it back on without moving it around. Easy to do with one of the top and bottom bolts to guide you in.
 
OP
OP
usocazy

usocazy

Senior Member
Joined
May 11, 2013
Posts
292
Reaction score
45
Location
San Antonio, Texas
Ram Year
2004
Engine
Hemi 5.7l
Wound up getting a good gasket from rock auto for only about $20 with shipping. Replaced the gasket and fluids this weekend. Also painted the differential cover black for a little color under there besides all the road dirt colors that currently exist. [emoji1303]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Bullitt5339

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 5, 2015
Posts
920
Reaction score
514
Location
St Pauls, NC
Ram Year
2004
Engine
3.7
I never use the gaskets in any of my vehicles. They're prone to leak even more than just using a good black RTV.
 

ST-8

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2013
Posts
2,470
Reaction score
989
Ram Year
2004
Engine
5.7
I didn't even know they came with a gasket on the diff cover lol, I've had the diff cover an trans pan off multiple times an used black rtv an it was g2g. Like bullitt said above I'd be more worried about the gasket leaking.
 

JPT

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 22, 2014
Posts
1,508
Reaction score
587
Location
NY
Ram Year
2015 Big Horn
Engine
5.7 Hemi
deleted.
 
Last edited:
Top