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Did I mess up? Differential Fluid

4K views 8 replies 7 participants last post by  Old Dogger 
#1 ·
2009 Rubicon. with 4.10 gears


I changed the fluid in both differentials a couple of days ago. Added 80w-90 oil to both axles.

Doing some more reading, it looks like the Rubicon is supposed to have 75w-140 Synthetic? Maybe?

I've driven maybe 50 miles so far with the 80-90. Should I change it to 75-140? If so, do I need to park this thing until it gets done?

The manual says 75w-140 if towing. I do have the Tow package (whatever that gives) but rarely tow anything. If I do it's a 4x8 harbor freight trailer weighing no more than 500lbs loaded and just for a few miles.

Morris 4x4 says the Rubicons should only run the 75w-140.
Jeep Wrangler Fluid Capacities
 
#7 ·
^^^This is what I used in both my front and rear Dana 44.

All of the oils mentioned in the above posts are O.K. to use.
But if you are going to be towing, then use 75w140 in the rear diff!!!!
 
#3 ·
If you hardly tow and at that weight, you're fine. However, if you tow you're supposed to use 75W140 synthetic gear oil in the rear dif. You don't need to park it. Down the road if you think you're going to do more towing, change to 75w140 synthetic in the rear. If the synthetic you get happens to have the limited slip additive already in it you can still use it with an open differential. It doesn't affect anything. Most synthetic gear oil has the additive in it. Again, an open stock Rubicon differential doesn't require a friction additive.
 
#4 ·
Most people say use 75-140 because 80-90 is typically just gear oil, no synthetics, actually the only synthetic 80-90 I've seen was valvoline. I don't have a rubicon but I tow on a regular basis and I run 80-90 (synthetic) with no issues. Again they say 75-140 because it's all synthetic and without a synthetic and constant strain from towing could cause issues.
 
#6 ·
Most people say use 75-140 because 80-90 is typically just gear oil, no synthetics, actually the only synthetic 80-90 I've seen was valvoline. I don't have a rubicon but I tow on a regular basis and I run 80-90 (synthetic) with no issues. Again they say 75-140 because it's all synthetic and without a synthetic and constant strain from towing could cause issues.
You can buy synthetic gear oil in a wide range of viscosities. If you want 80W90 full synthetic, as stated, Valvoline offers it, as do Royal Purple and AmsOil. harder to find would be Citgo CitGear full synthetic or ProLab products. A more common weight would be 85W90. Have you checked what is recommended in your owners manual?
 
#9 · (Edited)
^^^The Rubicon Lockers don't need the anti-slip additive. But most gear diff oils already have the additive package added. So with or without it is O.K.
 
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