Gear Oil for Ford Ranger Rear Differential?

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Is there a really good one to buy? maybe a synthetic?

I have a leak and my mechanic will be replacing the cover and making a new gasket - he said to buy 2 qts of gear oil 90W.

My truck is a 2003 Ford Ranger RWD, V6.
 
Synthetic 75W90 if you plan on not changing it often and it isn't much more. I picked up a 5 gallon bucket for $7/quart.
 
Ford specs 80w oil. I have used dino 80/85w oil and synthetic oils also. I prefer syn 75w for the fact of winter operation.
May no noticeable difference in a diff, but in a Tran's in winter huge(nite and day) difference.



-harvey
 
I assume you don't have a Traction-Lok axle (which specifically calls for synthetic 75W140 with friction modifier additive)?
 
Originally Posted By: AP9
I assume you don't have a Traction-Lok axle (which specifically calls for synthetic 75W140 with friction modifier additive)?


What year was that?

My 2002 had the regular clutch based LSD 8.8 axle and it spec'ed 80w90

(page 281 of the owners manual)
 
Originally Posted By: Rand
Originally Posted By: AP9
I assume you don't have a Traction-Lok axle (which specifically calls for synthetic 75W140 with friction modifier additive)?


What year was that?

My 2002 had the regular clutch based LSD 8.8 axle and it spec'ed 80w90

(page 281 of the owners manual)
I think there was a TSB issued on the change.
 
Originally Posted By: Blkstanger
I assume you don't have a Traction-Lok axle (which specifically calls for synthetic 75W140 with friction modifier additive)?


uh, I don't think so?

how would I know?
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Bluebonnet
Originally Posted By: Blkstanger
I assume you don't have a Traction-Lok axle (which specifically calls for synthetic 75W140 with friction modifier additive)?


uh, I don't think so?

how would I know?
The sticker inside your door will have a code under where it says axle.
72
open 6-7/8"
3.08

74
open 6-7/8"
3.45

82
open 7.5"
3.08

84
open 7.5"
3.45

86
open 7.5"
3.73

87
open 7.5"
4.10

91
open 8.8"
3.27

92
open 8.8"
3.08

95
open 8.8"
3.55

96
open 8.8"
3.73

97
open 8.8"
4.10

98
open 8.8"
4.56

F4
L/S 7.5"
3.45

F6
L/S 7.5"
3.73

F7
L/S 7.5"
4.10

R5
L/S 8.8"
3.55

R6
L/S 8.8"
3.73

R7
L/S 8.8"
4.10

R8
L/S 8.8"
4.56
 
Originally Posted By: Bluebonnet
some of you mentioned 75 or even 80W

I do live in NYC, the winters are pretty cold, and I even sometimes drive further north - so yes, cold weather is a factor to consider.


Neither the 7.5 or 8.8 axles are picky in this application.

As a rule of thumb, any limited slip 8.8, just put friction modified 75W140 synthetic in it. I don't think the chatter/noise issues were as common on Rangers as they were on the Mustang though.

Everything else (open 8.8s, 7.5s)...whatever GL5 gear oil you see at the parts store. 80W90, 75W140, 75W90...they are all fine.

Right now I have Valvoline conventional 80W90 in my 1994, and Valvoline synthetic 75W90 in my 2002. I have used synthetic 75W140 in 7.5s before with no issues. I chose Valvoline strictly because of price/availability. I have used everything from Super Tech to Royal Purple with zero issues.
 
Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
Originally Posted By: Bluebonnet
some of you mentioned 75 or even 80W

I do live in NYC, the winters are pretty cold, and I even sometimes drive further north - so yes, cold weather is a factor to consider.


Neither the 7.5 or 8.8 axles are picky in this application.

As a rule of thumb, any limited slip 8.8, just put friction modified 75W140 synthetic in it. I don't think the chatter/noise issues were as common on Rangers as they were on the Mustang though.

Everything else (open 8.8s, 7.5s)...whatever GL5 gear oil you see at the parts store. 80W90, 75W140, 75W90...they are all fine.

Right now I have Valvoline conventional 80W90 in my 1994, and Valvoline synthetic 75W90 in my 2002. I have used synthetic 75W140 in 7.5s before with no issues. I chose Valvoline strictly because of price/availability. I have used everything from Super Tech to Royal Purple with zero issues.



oh thank you. fyi, there's no noise that I've noticed and no other issues, just the leak which in order to be rectified, necessitates replacing the oil. I've been using synthetics as much as possible so I'll go with one of those.

thanks again!!
 
Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
I am using Amsoil 80w-90 in my ranger clone.

http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-product/gear-lube/synthetic-80w-90-gear-lube/

What can i really say? it hasn't blown up yet?

Local NAPAs 'might' carry it.


+1 any synthetic lube will do the trick. If I remember correctly, those diffs you had to take off the cover to service. Better off putting in a quaility fluid and do it less often.
 
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