Transfer case fluid

[MRFREEZE57]

according to Red Line, their C+ ATF is rated for the 2016 44-44, and can be had for around 14 bucks a quart. am looking to change my TC lube, going to try this. so many mfg's say use their particular branded lube but aftermarkets work just as well at a lower price.

 

[PoMansRam]

according to Red Line, their C+ ATF is rated for the 2016 44-44, and can be had for around 14 bucks a quart. am looking to change my TC lube, going to try this. so many mfg's say use their particular branded lube but aftermarkets work just as well at a lower price.

Yeah, I see amazon has gallon jugs of RL C+ for $49. I've never seen quarts of it for much under $20, then you have to consider tax and shipping.

 

[MRFREEZE57]

Yeah, I see amazon has gallon jugs of RL C+ for $49. I've never seen quarts of it for much under $20, then you have to consider tax and shipping.

in my area there are a number of auto parts retailers that carry their full line of products.

 

[PoMansRam]

I again apologize if this has been discussed, but from what I gather, the reason for the 2 types of BW44-44 is as follows: The version with the clutches came out when push button on demand/auto 4x4 became an option. If you didn't have this option (just the 4x4 on/off button), you had the 44-44 with all gears, no clutch. So both versions of the BW44-44 were available for a number of years.

Fast forward to 2016. Now regardless of the option package on your Ram 1500 4x4, they've all got the clutched 44-44.

This whole thing has given me a massive headache and I gotta think we're overthinking it big time. LOL! Any modern day low viscosity, friction modified ATF (which they ALL are as far as I know), would probably work perfectly in the 2016+.

 

[Brandon-w]

Here's the breakdown of the 44-44 t case. 2011-2017 are the exact same thing no changes no dodge shenanigans. So I think the 2016+ fluid is just a money grab still because they didn't change anything till 2018 according to this.

 

[PoMansRam]

OK now we're at migraine level..

 

[Brandon-w]

OK now we're at migraine level..

Haha right. Seems like this no matter where you turn there isn't really a straight answer other than chemical breakdown as listed above. I'm thinking that's your best bet because dodge isn't gonna give anyone a straight answer. Mostly because none of them know anything but what they're told.

 

[Brandon-w]

On a side note the cool thing is the t cases use alot of the same parts BW44-44/45/46/71/81 all use most of the same frictions and Sprague gears. [emoji6]

 

[chrisbh17]

Here's the breakdown of the 44-44 t case. 2011-2017 are the exact same thing no changes no dodge shenanigans. So I think the 2016+ fluid is just a money grab still because they didn't change anything till 2018 according to this.

False.

If you check the parts list, you see some parts are 2011-2016. Which means in (or after) 2016, those parts changed. At least thats how I read it.

 

[MRFREEZE57]

Haha right. Seems like this no matter where you turn there isn't really a straight answer other than chemical breakdown as listed above. I'm thinking that's your best bet because dodge isn't gonna give anyone a straight answer. Mostly because none of them know anything but what they're told.

that is why I am going to do a fill with the Red Line C+, at less than half the cost of the mopar fluid will likely do the job just as well.

 

[PoMansRam]

False.

If you check the parts list, you see some parts are 2011-2016. Which means in (or after) 2016, those parts changed. At least thats how I read it.

Well that and it shows for "AWD" option as well. Like I say, I get it that the ones with the on demand AWD option needed the clutches for activating/deactivating the T-case smoothly when needed.

I'm assuming they want the clutches in there now regardless for all the nanny software etc.

Honestly? I think a $17 gallon jug of Valvoline Maxlife ATF would work fine in these. Only thing I gotta figure out on my 2017 is if the fluid is red or not while I still have warranty.

 

[Brandon-w]

@chrisbh17 you are right. After more digging they did change the clutch packs why don't make sense to me still. But here are the part numbers. I'm waiting for some emails to see what the t case builders say. Not bw just big line rebuilders.

 

[chrisbh17]

I honestly took it as they changed the clutch material, in response to early failures of the t-case.

And I think a lot of the failures of these t-cases are due to programming causing fights between ABS, throttle cut, limited slip (if applicable) and the xfer case trying to engage. The 2016+ clutches might be better, but the programming is still an issue (which is bypassed nicely by Brandon's harness/switch)

 

[Brandon-w]

that is why I am going to do a fill with the Red Line C+, at less than half the cost of the mopar fluid will likely do the job just as well.

Syn atf in mine for a year no issues. For the price I could replace every year and not be worried.

 

[MRFREEZE57]

just picked up 2 qt of red line C+ atf, 33 bucks including tax for both, 3 bucks less than 1qt of the mopar stuff.

 

[MRFREEZE57]

well, I changed the TC lube yesterday, replaced with red line C+, have not had any snow to test it in, but at less that half the cost of the mopar stuff am willing to give it a try and I know red line makes an excellent product.

 

[MRFREEZE57]

one more follow up on this, drove up to the mountains today to test it in some snow after changing TC lube to red line C+ ATF, seems to work just as well as the liquid gold stuff that says mopar. time will tell but I have no worries that this will cause any trouble, IMHO is a waste to pay over double for the mopar stuff when the red line ( which is an excellent product by most all opinions) will do the job just as good or better.
with that said I do not do off roading or rock climbing so the 44-44 seems to do me fine for use in adverse weather conditions.

 

[Bigpaul13]

Well that and it shows for "AWD" option as well. Like I say, I get it that the ones with the on demand AWD option needed the clutches for activating/deactivating the T-case smoothly when needed.

I'm assuming they want the clutches in there now regardless for all the nanny software etc.

Honestly? I think a $17 gallon jug of Valvoline Maxlife ATF would work fine in these. Only thing I gotta figure out on my 2017 is if the fluid is red or not while I still have warranty.

I just changed the fluid on my 2017 1500 yesterday. I have the 44-44. The stock fluid was an amber color which was the same color as the Mopar fluid I got locally. At 52k, the fluid looked really good but I also don't use 4x4 or tow much.

 

[OLEJOE]

I checked mine for the first time yesterday with 4K miles on it and it was low. I got my 2018 in September of last year and it's been in 4x4 probably a total of 300 yards. Anyway I went to dealer and bought a quart of the unicorn tears for$34.50 with tax. On the bottle it list all the T/C's it is recommended for and just about all BW's T/C's are on there. One dealer I called tried to look up the specs on it to find a non branded fluid and said it only gave him the part number. I spilled a little of it in my shop and now that's all you can smell in there. Looks like ATF but maybe a little thicker. The Mopar TC fluid is the only thing mine will get as long as it is in warranty.

 

[Tom8]

Doing 3 fluid changes this weekend. Got the special purple brand for the front and rear diff. Also got the limited slip fluid from Mopar for the rear.
For the tcase got the atf+4. Didn’t want to spend money on Mopar liquid gold for 32 bucks a quart.
2014 truck with 1500 72k miles. I tow my RV so thinking it’s a good time. Already changed the coolant and tstat 190. Oil and filter change regularly with synthetic. Fix and replaced two rear backup sensors.
Need to replace rear brake after this. Fun times ahead. Lol.