Transfer Case Fluid Change

[Mr_Rich]

This thread was helpful for me. I had it in mind because my truck @52K on the odo was due for a transfer case fluid change. When I started unthreading the drain plug this afternoon it caught me by surprise and gushed out. Except for a few splatters the pan caught it all. It was definitely due for a change after seeing the dark cast to the fluid. I used Valvoline Dex VI on the fill.

 

[Peep]

I have to change my 2006 I5 Automatic transmission fluid and transfer case fluid.
Been reading old posts and just want to make sure I get some it right before I order to Belize. Does anyone have something they recommend? Or part# I can order off Amazon for them both so I can compare to local no-name brands?

Also someone was mentioning Royal Purple. Is that any good? I put AMSoil in both of them 7 years ago.

 

[DJinCO]

If I were in your situation, I would order Amsoil products. Universal transmission fluid for the transfer case and what the book recommends for the transmission. As long as you are ordering a shipment, order some 75W90 fluid for the differentials.

Doug

 

[Peep]

Thanks DjinCO that's very helpful

 

[Woodtick]

Become a Amsoil rep in Belize. Just a thought. Don't know much about it,but looks easy to do.

 

[f5moab]

Again thanks for the compliments..But I'm beginning to regret writing anything up anymore..The Brake Job thread is causing some to foam at the mouth a little, and F5 got his undies in a bundle here..So I'm sorry for stirring up such a commotion..

I'll think about the next DIY posting whether or not is will cause any heated discussions...Otherwise it has been my pleasure to share the practical experiences with y'all

Understand one thing, I base my information on engineering requirements and or revisions based on testing by GM and BW; not on seat of the panty testing or old out dated information. I could really care less what people use for fluid in their TC, engine, trans or their enema bag.

It is your property so use what you may. I just reported what I know for engineering. So go by the seat of your pants, again, I don't give a ****. (And I have been using Dex VI in my TC since day one.

And yes, I know this is an old thread but never noted the moronic reply until today when it popped up again. And I probably won't be around for another six months to answer any asinine reply.

 

[Bigunit]

Hi Doug. Glad to see you are still around. Still have your H3?

 

[SolidusJ]

I'm up at my 50K service and thinking about going royal purple on diff, trans, and transfer case. Seen on powerblock extreme off when they dino a 4x4 before and after and it picked up 5 more WHP. I don't care for HP because she's a fat pig just want what's going to work for the best, so for the T-case use their manual trans oil from what I can see? Also looking for a new coolant to run with, power steering and brakes was down with the lift kit.

 

[SolidusJ]

So cocaine?

 

[Best4x4]

RP for the diff's for sure. I really like RP diff oil, but as far as the transfer case I think you'd have to use their automatic transmission fluid vs manual.

 

[SolidusJ]

RP for the diff's for sure. I really like RP diff oil, but as far as the transfer case I think you'd have to use their automatic transmission fluid vs manual.

OK hell I just want something that's going to working seeing I dump all fluids at 50K.

 

[SolidusJ]

SO again what fluid for the t-case? Auto or manual oil?

 

[MaxPF]

SO again what fluid for the t-case? Auto or manual oil?

Are you asking what the book says you're supposed to use, or are you asking what will work? If the question is the former, my answer is "check your owners manual". If the question is the latter, my response is "Either". If you choose ATF, I would choose Dex III over Dex VI.

This is just my opinion based on experience with many NP/NV and BW chain drive cases. If in doubt, follow the owners manual. As usual, all the usual disclaimers apply: YMMV, Void Where Prohibited, No Deposit No Return, etc.

 

[Zach]

From GM dex III is no longer available. Changed to dex VI. But you can still get dex III in auto parts stores. I run dex VI in my 2. Second tcase case but replaced around 120k. The dex VI is a Partial synthetic

 

[chaos254]

I just picked up Redline MTL for the h3 and my wifes cadillac sts

 

[Best4x4]

How about this?

 

[Airborne]

I put redline D6 ATF in mine. On the bottle it says it works for applications where dex III-VI are needed. It indeed has been working great. The t case, the front and rear difs, and tranny got fluid swapped out at the same time along with redline 0w-20 in the crank case which got me an honest 1.5 mpg gain. After 5k miles it's still the same mpg gain so I'm sure it wasn't a fluke now. Most have put dex vi and it has been working great.

 

[digglesworth]

I put some Mobil stuff in mine about 10k ago... I don't think it was full synthetic though. I have a new transfer case coming (should of been here the 6th, I wanna scream at FedEx) and that case is supposedly filled with whatever gm is using these days. Dex VI I guess... I'm switching everything over to royal purple though so don't know how long it'll be in there.... I think that stuff best4x4 posted is the stuff. I think my owners manual said Dex III type-h and that royal purple stuff was good to use. But I don't know if it says for use with Dex VI though....

 

[Best4x4]

That RP stuff is supposed to be multi-spec for a wide range of fluids like Dex III, but I don't think they certify it with VI yet. All my BW Transfer cases in my Jeep's the 231/241 all took ATF4 and I know that stuff is fully synthetic and the RP is compatible with that.

 

[4speedfunk]

I think its pretty cool that a brand new t-case comes with fluid already in it. That way you never change fluid. You just change the whole case every 60K (if it makes it that far).

:roll:

 

[SolidusJ]

I'm just going to go with ATF, when I work on the HMMWV's I use dex 6 for the trany and the t-case. So 8 years doing this I haven't had a case blow on me unless I was in a training area I didn't belong in and beating the hell out of the damn thing.

 

[poncho1965]

Having been bit once, I might take a bit of comfort using higher priced stuff. I just don't know what that is. Maybe I just change fluid more often.

 

[digglesworth]

So here's where I'm confused.... My 06 manual says dex III type h or something like that. I'm using a Mobil atf fluid compatible with the dex III... I have a new transfer case on the way and have royal purple max atf to put in it. I'm assuming my new t case will come with dex VI since that's the latest stuff from gm. Is it ok to drain the dex VI and fill it with the royal purple. I can't imagine it makes much difference. Just wanted to be sure.

 

[chaos254]

My manual says use manual transmission fluid. I wonder why they made the switch from recommending dex 3 to manual trans fluid

 

[MaxPF]

So here's where I'm confused.... My 06 manual says dex III type h or something like that. I'm using a Mobil atf fluid compatible with the dex III... I have a new transfer case on the way and have royal purple max atf to put in it. I'm assuming my new t case will come with dex VI since that's the latest stuff from gm. Is it ok to drain the dex VI and fill it with the royal purple. I can't imagine it makes much difference. Just wanted to be sure.

Yes, it's OK.

My manual says use manual transmission fluid. I wonder why they made the switch from recommending dex 3 to manual trans fluid

They did it because they discontinued the Dex III spec in 2006. Dex VI is too thin (and sucks in other ways), so GM needed a replacement fluid. So, what did they do? They "created" a new fluid called Manual Transmission and Transfer Case Fluid. Wanna guess what is in a MT&TC fluid bottle? Yup, it's a fluid identical to Dex III spec ATF.