gear oil and transfer case fluid for my silverado`

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I'm the proud owner of a 2000 Chevy Silverado ext. cab 4X4 Z71 with a push button controled transfer case. A few weeks ago I broke 50,000 miles on the odometer and I need to change the transfer case fluid and differential fluid and change the transmission fluid and filter as well. Ive done a little bit of research on the topic and I know that GM recomends using 80W-90 in the front dif. and 75W-90 in the rear. I want to use Royal purple gear oil for both diffs but RP only sells 80W-90 gear oil in 5 Gal buckets which is way too much for the job so would it hurt to use 75W-90 or any other weight gear oil in the front diff??? I also know that if the differentials are lockers that I need to put additives into the lubricant so does anyone know how I can find out what type of diffs that I have??? And if my diffs are lockers what types of additives do I need to add to the gear oil???
 
Originally Posted By: chevrofreak
IMO, you'd be better served using Amsoil Severe Gear 75-90 front and rear.
I'd agree but he wants RP.

I'm not sure about the lockers and if RP needs a additive. call them.

On the front diff, look at the vent plug. 100% of them need to be updated IF YOU RUN syn (conventional was the factory fill) as they WILL leak and have issues.

I think the stock one is white and the new one is black. A parts person at the dealership can tell you.

For the transfer case, you have to use the GM stuff.

75-90 or 80-90 will be fine for both ends.

Take care, bill
 
Thanks for that tip Bill. My vent plug on my truck has the black one. I believe canadian spec trucks call for 75w-90 gear oil from the factory.
 
I just did this job for my neighbor's 01 Silverado. On the differentials, remove the fill plugs first, then proceed. The rear fill plug was a bear to get off. I couldn't do it by hand.
 
Quote:
I also know that if the differentials are lockers that I need to put additives into the lubricant so does anyone know how I can find out what type of diffs that I have??? And if my diffs are lockers what types of additives do I need to add to the gear oil???



DO NOT add any additives to the locking differential. Those are designed for Limited Slip Differentials which are normally installed in cars and AWD vehicles. Trucks with G80 use a locking rear differential and the use of any additive can delay the locking and cause damage to the differential.

If you have a locking differential on your truck the label in the glove compartment will have a list of option codes, if G80 is on that list its a LOCKER, if no G80 means a open axle.
 
DO NOT add any additives to the locking differential. Those are designed for Limited Slip Differentials which are normally installed in cars and AWD vehicles. Trucks with G80 use a locking rear differential and the use of any additive can delay the locking and cause damage to the differential.

If you have a locking differential on your truck the label in the glove compartment will have a list of option codes, if G80 is on that list its a LOCKER, if no G80 means a open axle.
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Thank alot for this advice Mike. I checked the glove box and it says "G80" on the parts list. Does this mean that both the front and rear differentials are Lockers??? assuming that both the front and rear differentials are lockers will I be good to use the same weight gear oil in both differentials???
 
Nope G80 is just the rear. I changed out my factory oil in mine to Mobil 1 75W-90 Syn front and rear. The GMT900 platform uses Dexron VI in the transfer case instead of the AutoTrac fluid like the GMT800's.
 
Originally Posted By: matthewbl87
I'm the proud owner of a 2000 Chevy Silverado ext. cab 4X4 Z71 with a push button controled transfer case. A few weeks ago I broke 50,000 miles on the odometer and I need to change the transfer case fluid and differential fluid and change the transmission fluid and filter as well. Ive done a little bit of research on the topic and I know that GM recomends using 80W-90 in the front dif. and 75W-90 in the rear. I want to use Royal purple gear oil for both diffs but RP only sells 80W-90 gear oil in 5 Gal buckets which is way too much for the job so would it hurt to use 75W-90 or any other weight gear oil in the front diff??? I also know that if the differentials are lockers that I need to put additives into the lubricant so does anyone know how I can find out what type of diffs that I have??? And if my diffs are lockers what types of additives do I need to add to the gear oil???


RP 75W-90 will work GREAT in both your front and rear diff's even if you have the Eaton G80 in the rear. I had 2 Silverados's( 05 & NBS 07 - Ext Cab 4WD's as well )with the G80 and used RP 75W-90 front and back and it worked great. RP is every bit as good as Amsoil. RP is an excellent choice you made.
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As to your t-case. If you have the push buttons on the dash that means you have the AUTO 4WD option t-case and you should ONLY use GM Autotrak II fluid. There is NO aftermarket replacement for it. Double check your owner's manual in the back to make sure it calls for that special fluid but I am 99.9% sure it does. Never seen a t-case with the push buttons and AUTO 4WD mode that doesn't call for it.
 
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NHHEMI said:
Quote:


As to your t-case. If you have the push buttons on the dash that means you have the AUTO 4WD option t-case and you should ONLY use GM Autotrak II fluid. There is NO aftermarket replacement for it. Double check your owner's manual in the back to make sure it calls for that special fluid but I am 99.9% sure it does. Never seen a t-case with the push buttons and AUTO 4WD mode that doesn't call for it.


RP Synchromax is a synthetic substitute for Autotrac II fluid. They have it listed on their website as such and I've read about a few people who have used it in their T-Cases, that were supposed to use Autotrac II Fluid, with great success.
 
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The limited slip differential friction modifier additive is only needed for clutch-type limited slip differentials, not for lockers, Torsen, or other types.

Just about every gear oil blended for differentials already has the correct amount of additive in it if the label says that it is suitable for limited slip differentials. More should only be added if the differential is grabby.
 
Originally Posted By: Burbanite
NHHEMI said:
Quote:


As to your t-case. If you have the push buttons on the dash that means you have the AUTO 4WD option t-case and you should ONLY use GM Autotrak II fluid. There is NO aftermarket replacement for it. Double check your owner's manual in the back to make sure it calls for that special fluid but I am 99.9% sure it does. Never seen a t-case with the push buttons and AUTO 4WD mode that doesn't call for it.


RP Synchromax is a synthetic substitute for Autotrac II fluid. They have it listed on their website as such and I've read about a few people who have used it in their T-Cases, that were supposed to use Autotrac II Fluid, with great success.


WRONG!

If you have a button labeled AUTO you have a Automatic transfer case and need the autotrac II fluid. If you have push buttons(or a dial) labeled 2wd,4HI, and 4LO no mention of auto mode. You have a Electric shift t-case and use ATF. It will not hurt to use the AutotracII fluid in a non auto t-case, but it is expensive.
 
Originally Posted By: gmctodd
Originally Posted By: Burbanite
NHHEMI said:
Quote:


As to your t-case. If you have the push buttons on the dash that means you have the AUTO 4WD option t-case and you should ONLY use GM Autotrak II fluid. There is NO aftermarket replacement for it. Double check your owner's manual in the back to make sure it calls for that special fluid but I am 99.9% sure it does. Never seen a t-case with the push buttons and AUTO 4WD mode that doesn't call for it.


RP Synchromax is a synthetic substitute for Autotrac II fluid. They have it listed on their website as such and I've read about a few people who have used it in their T-Cases, that were supposed to use Autotrac II Fluid, with great success.


WRONG!

If you have a button labeled AUTO you have a Automatic transfer case and need the autotrac II fluid. If you have push buttons(or a dial) labeled 2wd,4HI, and 4LO no mention of auto mode. You have a Electric shift t-case and use ATF. It will not hurt to use the AutotracII fluid in a non auto t-case, but it is expensive.


Well, Sorry to burst your bubble Dude, but I've been using RP Synchromax in my 246 T-case now for over 8 months with great success. In fact I just took it apart to do the Pump Rub Fix and the clutches are in perfect shape. I know one guy on FSC that's got over 60K on his 246 with Synchromax and it's still running strong. Since Synchromax is a full synthetic fluid and Autotrac II isn't, plus it cost less than the Autotrac II it's a no brainer as to what I'm going to keep using. Don't knock it until you try it.
 
I'm not saying something else won't work! All I'm saying is that most people think if you have push button 4WD then its an 'AUTO' one. My electric shift (push button) is NOT an Auto t- case and uses good ol' ATF.
 
Originally Posted By: gmctodd
I'm not saying something else won't work! All I'm saying is that most people think if you have push button 4WD then its an 'AUTO' one. My electric shift (push button) is NOT an Auto t- case and uses good ol' ATF.


Hmmm, when you wrote wrong below my quote about Synchromax, I thought that you meant Autotrac II was the only thing you should use in the 246 T-case. Technically, the 246(4 button) and the 263(3 button) are both electronic shift transfer cases. As you probably know the difference lies in the clutches that are in the 246 and not in the 263. Autotrac II is basically an ATF with additives(And coloured Blue)to protect the clutches in the 246, but these additives are not needed in the 263 as it has no clutches to worry about, hence the use of Dex III. In addition I've heard a lot of guys use 5W-30 or 30 weight Synthetic oil(I can't remember which) in place of the Dex III in their 263's and like it. Go figure. I guess I got a little confused as to what you were saying. Sorry.
 
Be very careful using engine oil, gear lube when something spec's ATV or when the opposite is true. What many fail to realize is there are various components and materials inside these cases. These metals, composits or electronic parts may only survive when the proper lube is used. Also, using the incorrect type of fluid may affect the sealing ability of the seals. An incorrect type of sealer may not be compatible with the fluid or may not have the correct characteristics for sealing the affected components.

RTV and anaerobic sealers may fail if the wrong lube is used.
 
Originally Posted By: Kestas
I just did this job for my neighbor's 01 Silverado. On the differentials, remove the fill plugs first, then proceed. The rear fill plug was a bear to get off. I couldn't do it by hand.


I ran into this on mine yesterday. I beat the [censored] out of it and still it won't budge. Any suggestions?
 
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