How to change F & R Differential fluids

[pdxrealtor]

FYI I just did the diff fluid changes in my 06 H2 and the front drain/refill is a 13mm/15mm.

There is no rubber fill plug on the rear diff. Both drain and fill are 3/8th ratchet type, same as transfer case.

Thought this might help somebody!

Oh, and also, my rear diff went through more than 3 qts !

[Hellz]

well i have about 1k on my new gears, and was going to change both diffs today while i was working on fixing a squeak on my new brakes....

last weekend i put on new EBC brakes, but didnt have lube for the pads, so i slapped em on anyways... fast forward to day...

the Caliper wouldnt come off on the driver side... so unbolted the brake line to relieve pressure.. it worked out better in the end because i also painted the caliper and bracker while it was off..

since i already had to bleed the brakes anyways, i did the same thing on the pass side... well after painting, and putting the bracket in.. it slipped and landed in the bucket underneath the rotor which splashed brake fluid up in my eye!

well after flushing my eyes for a good while.. decided to call it for the night..

but while i was out.. picked up 6 bottles of RP gear oil @ $21.99 each.. OUCH!

so, will be finising up the brakes and doing the diffs tomorrow..

[pdxrealtor]

That sucks about your eye. I wear sunglasses almost all the time but under the car I didn't , so i could see better. When I was younger I'd do most anything without eye protection. Now that I'm getting older.... For some reason I think about those things.

I was told by a knowledgeable guy, and followed it up with some reading, that redline is far superior gear oil than most. Just like royal purple is for motor oil.

I did all my stuff in redline and it was cheaper. I couldnt believe how much that RP was.

I wish I would have gotten the high temp DT4 for the transfer case, but I just grabbed the regular.

[Hellz]

i think i am just like a bunch of guys here who use RP in almost everything.. Oil, Diffs...i forgot what i used in my T case last time though....

[pdxrealtor]

Sure..

Really, splitting hairs over premium synthetic oils is pointless for most of us. You cant go wrong with RP, REDLINE, MOBILE, etc.. I just felt extra good about the redline because god damn that RP is expensive. To hear the cheaper stuff is superior was a plus!

I use RP in my motor.

Hey I see you did gears. Are 4.56s worth it for an h2 with stock size 35s?

[pdxrealtor]

Sure..

Really, splitting hairs over premium synthetic oils is pointless for most of us. You cant go wrong with RP, REDLINE, MOBILE, etc.. I just felt extra good about the redline because god damn that RP is expensive. To hear the cheaper stuff is superior was a plus!

I use RP in my motor.

Hey I see you did gears. Are 4.56s worth it for an h2 with stock size 35s?

[Hellz]

dont know about 4.56's, i went with 4.88's

on 37 inch tires..

4.10's tranny would always down shift when crusing at or above 70. on hills or even some acceleration, it would downshift. i felt like i was working the driveline more.

with the 4.88's- quick take offs. tranny isnt working as hard. it will still downshift, but it feels more natural..steeper hills or what not.

today after the diff fluid changes i noticed it was very quiet and smooth.
not saying it wasnt before, but it was break in fluid i had in it with just a little over 1k miles on the new gears. everything felt smooth... just only was i can describe it. on the plus side, i gained just over 1 mp from the regear.. so now im at 9.9 mpg.. was at 8.8 on stock gears.

if your running stock 35's, i dont see a reason to regear to 4.56s. i guess there are benefits to quicker take offs, and maybe some extra MPG.. someone else might be able to chime in about it.

If you plan on going bigger tires.. then yes, i wouldnt hesitate and regear.

im thinking of moving up to 38's... i just dont want to do a lift.. well i will do new T keys, but no body lift. I think i can do 38's, but i might still stay at 37's..

If you know anyone selling BFG M/T KM2 37 inch tires, let me know. i have 1 brand new one, just need 3 more..tho, might go with the Toyo's if i cant find a good deal

[pdxrealtor]

Don't plan on going up in tire size... I'm actually looking to get rid of my M/Ts and go with an A/T.

I drive to the mountain a lot in the winter, and I never ever mud. Don't know what I was thinking when I got the M/Ts..