If you ever considered changing your diff fluids, I recommend that you do. I just did mine today front and back, with some Series 2000 Amsoil, and man, what ugly stuff was the OEM lube. I pulled the diff cover on the back, so i could get a look at the gears, and they don't look beat up at all. But with the new blood in there, I feel much better.

Bambino

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Bambino Online
Owners Gallery Truck #179
1999 reg cab/short box/ORP - 3.55; 4.6l 5sp; factory snapless tonneau; twin 6" kicker sub tubes; Custom Exhaust; Mobil 1 5w30/Motorcraft FL820-S; Amsoil series 2000 in the diffs.

[This message has been edited by bambino (edited 04-13-2001).]

 

How many miles are on your truck? I checked the fluid level in the rear ane the dab of fluid on my finger had a real grey tint to it. It looked pretty bad for 12,500 miles.

 

bambino,
Just a couple of things. Do you have a limited slip diff? Is the Amsoil synthetic?
If you have a limited slip diff, the gear lube will be grey, rather than amber, due to the required friction modifier. Also, synthetic gear lube is required.
Not a flame, just wanted to make sure you knew.

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'98 F150 Ext. cab 2wd
XLT STX
4.6 Auto
3.55ls

 

i'm just under 70k kms, which is about...42k miles? And mine were both very grey in colour. Almost silvery.
And i don't have the LS diff. just the open 3.55, and I did not add any friction modifier.

When i pulled the fluid out of the rear diff, there didn't seem to be any chunks in it, and the teeth on the gears were in decent shape, but it was mostly research on these boards that prompted me to do the change. I'm glad now that i have done it.

Bambino

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Bambino Online
Owners Gallery Truck #179
1999 reg cab/short box/ORP/Silver on Dk Graphite - 3.55; 4.6l 5sp; factory snapless tonneau; kicker sub tubes; Custom Exhaust; Mobil 1 5w30/Motorcraft FL820-S; Amsoil Series 2k in the diffs.

[This message has been edited by bambino (edited 04-14-2001).]

 

Hey, Bambino-

Where'd you get the Amsoil in Edmonton? I'm in there all the time. I will be changing my diffs soon, and am looking for a good synthetic like Amsoil for them. How much did you need for each diff? I would appreciate any info, as this would narrow my search down for the shop who sells the stuff. Thanks!!

 

Hey JimW

I searched high and low for the stuff, but there is a shipping depot on the northwest end. If memory serves me right, it was 14523 121A Ave. They have some goofed up hours of operation, and you have to call in advance with a credit card number. I'm not a dealer, and don't plan on becoming one - so i used MSparks' agent number, he had forwarded it to me from these boards. email me at bambino@powersurfr.com and i'll get you two connected so you can get his number.

I think the only day they are open late was thursdays.

Let me know
Bambino

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Bambino Online
Owners Gallery Truck #179
1999 reg cab/short box/ORP/Silver on Dk Graphite - 3.55; 4.6l 5sp; factory snapless tonneau; kicker sub tubes; Custom Exhaust; Mobil 1 5w30/Motorcraft FL820-S; Amsoil Series 2k in the diffs.

 

Sorry, and the other thing you asked was quantities.

My haynes manual calls for certain amounts of pints, but for the rear diff, it was about 2.6litres and the front diff was *just* shy of 2 litres. I had purchased 3 of each just incase i got careless. the 6 bottles were 78.00 incl tax.

Bambino

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Bambino Online
Owners Gallery Truck #179
1999 reg cab/short box/ORP/Silver on Dk Graphite - 3.55; 4.6l 5sp; factory snapless tonneau; kicker sub tubes; Custom Exhaust; Mobil 1 5w30/Motorcraft FL820-S; Amsoil Series 2k in the diffs.

 

Whitestx, you said the fluid in the LS diff should be grey because of the friction modifer? I have a bottle of the ford modifer in front of me and it is pretty clear with a slight brown tint. Not a flame, just trying to figure out why so grey after 12,500 mi.

 

I was going to mention the same thing, i just saw a bottle the otherday and it looked like darker motor oil.

The fluids in both my diffs were very grey. Now they are very gold .

Bambino

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Bambino Online
Owners Gallery Truck #179
1999 reg cab/short box/ORP/Silver on Dk Graphite - 3.55; 4.6l 5sp; factory snapless tonneau; kicker sub tubes; Custom Exhaust; Mobil 1 5w30/Motorcraft FL820-S; Amsoil Series 2k in the diffs.

 

y2kxlt,
I was obviously wrong, apperently they (Ford) have changed the modifier. When I changed the fluid in my 90 Bronco, the modifier I got from Ford was grey (graphite).
So, no I didn't take it as a flame, thanks for clearing that up for me.

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'98 F150 Ext. cab 2wd
XLT STX
4.6 Auto
3.55ls

 

What was the weight of the Amsoil you used? Ford recommends 75W140 Synthetic in their manual, but I can't find it anywhere except for Ford, who wants $25.00 per litre!

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1998 F-150 XLT Ext. 4x4 Off-Road,
1998 Contour LX V6

 

jleinwebe, Welcome to the boards, and good to see another Canuck!

I used 75w140 series 2k in the rear, and 75w90 series 2k in the front diff. I bought 3 litres of each (used two on the front, 2.5 on the rear) and it was 78.00 gst incl.

hth.
Bambino

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Bambino Online
Owners Gallery Truck #179
1999 reg cab/short box/ORP/Silver on Dk Graphite - 3.55; 4.6l 5sp; factory snapless tonneau; kicker sub tubes; Custom Exhaust; Mobil 1 5w30/Motorcraft FL820-S; Amsoil Series 2k in the diffs.

 

Hey Bambino,

I've been looking for that oil here all morning, calling around for it. The Amsoil dealer here wants to send it to me in a pail! If I can't find it here, would you feel like shipping me some?

Thanks,
Jeff

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1998 F-150 XLT Ext. 4x4 Off-Road,
1998 Contour LX V6

 

jleinweber,

email msparks at saxnflute@hotmail.com - he hooked me up with the location in Edmonton, and should have a solution for you in the 'peg. if not let me know and we'll work something out.

Bambino

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Bambino Online
Owners Gallery Truck #179
1999 reg cab/short box/ORP/Silver on Dk Graphite - 3.55; 4.6l 5sp; factory snapless tonneau; kicker sub tubes; Custom Exhaust; Mobil 1 5w30/Motorcraft FL820-S; Amsoil Series 2k in the diffs.

 

I changed mine about a month ago. I used amsoil. I could have used Redline but it was more expensive. The front diff lube was blue. While you are at it don't forget the T-case. I also did the transmission.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

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00 F-150 XLT SC Flairside 4x4 4.6 w/5spd 3.55LSD
Warn XD9000i, skid plates, Draw tite class III,
Rancho RSX Reflex shocks, MAC 8.8 Axle Girdle
BFG 285/75 R16 MTs,
Borla Cat Back, Hedman Headers,
Custom air intake system with modified
air box, Ported Throttle body,
Shortened MAF sensor tower,
K&N air filter,
Superchips