Has anybody with an 04 changed their front diff fluid? Most posts here as well as my Haynes manual say to simply remove the drain plug, and then refill through the fill plug. I spent a half hour looking around the front axle (skid plate removed) and see no drain plug.

I've done my share of rear diff fluid changes (and full axle changes) so I have a good idea of what I'm looking for. But there is no drain plug! Anybody have a picture? I did find one old post on here from another 04 owner with a similar question but no reply. Is it possible that some early 04 models have a different front diff setup? Looks like I'll be limited to using a hand pump to suction out the old fluid.

 

Hand pump or pop the diff cover, definetely no plug on mine front or rear

 

Double post

 

ya, there is no plug, at least not on the 04-08 trucks, maybe the 04 in the mamual u have is refering to the heritage?

i did mine last year, front and rear. no drain on either.

 

Ok, so I'm not crazy then. The manual is deffinitely 04-08 trucks, and there have been posts on here claiming that the front is very simple since it has a drain. I have a feeling somewhere in 05 or 06 Ford added the drain.

I'll go with the pump method since the cover looks to be a PITA to remove. The rear I pulled it off, but I'm not so concerned aboutt the front since its not LS.

Thanks

 

I just pulled my front cover off, gave me the change to wipe everything out and make sure I get all the old oil out, the cover isn't to bad to get out just the top 2 or 3 bolts are a pain, I just used a couple extentions and went in from way up front and snuck the extentions through. Wasn't to bad