So I was some routine maintenance (thanks to the tensioner pulley crappin out) changing the oil and the diffs. So i do the front all goes well and then I move to the back and I searched all over the damn thing and..................................no drain plug!!! WTH has anyone else ran into this?

 

none have for several years. You remove the cover.

 

Well that is a very dumb idea on FORD. I really did not want to open the diff just to change the fluid.

 

uhh, its not just ford...none do. unless the cover cant come off easily like the new expi. or you get into the F450 or bigger.

 

Very smart idea on Ford. Most people will bring it back in for service rather than deal with that! Besides, your truck comes with full synthetic fluid in the rear end...should be 100,000 miles without needing changing unless something happened to it, like getting submerged in water or other damage.

But, you have an '03...My '02 has a drain plug. That's weird they'd go to no drain plug on the same body year??

Perfect time and excuse to install that Mag-Hytec diff cover!!

 

I like having to remove the cover since then I can look at the diff and get a warrning if anything is wrong or might go wrong. The only diffs I ahve seen other then front that have a drain plug is the ones were you pull the assembly out to do any kinda service.

 

true financially speaking very good idea on ford, however for inside of my garage very bad idea!! lol The truck has 118000 miles on it so it is time, plus if it looks like the front did than I definitely need to crack that pumpkin. Its just weird cause my old (91,93) mustang they had them.

 

Great idea on Fords part, wish the front was the same way. The rear is easy,clean and fast if you know what your doing. It really doesn't take a whole lot to figure out lol.

Don't even need a gasket in the rear, -I like that. Use Perma/Black and she'll never leak a drop

 

stop being lazy.. its a couple bolts and the cover comes off..

 

It is really pretty straightforward, to cnhange without a drain. Loosen all the bolts then break the bottom loose, no muss no fuss. I like having to pull the cover, it gives you teh oppurtunity to see if there are any issues. Also allows you the clean sludge off of inside of cover, and bottom of housing.



If you really want a drain, put a Mag Hytech cover on it.

 

the GM 3/4 tons have drain plugs in the bottom of the cover.....none of my Ford's ever have.

 

Oh its not a lazy thing, diffs and gears are like my achilles heal! lol I just did not want to screw something up. But if its as straight forward as you guys make it seem than its a done deal

 

It is , just loosen the bolts/ cram a putty knife in,- around the bottom in a few places, until it the cover breaks free enough to start draining.

Don't forget the Modifier, they need that stuff.

Good Luck.

 

Only if he has a limited slip. Make sue to use a Synthetic gea oil, should be 75-140.

 

Yeah I have LS and I am using Synthetic Gear Oil 75-140 and some friction modifier.