We have a 6.0L gas 2003 2500HD with 51,000 miles. With gas prices as they are it is not used much but I do plan to keep it. I use it for towing a 3500lb camper, some firewood, & light utility trailer & woods use. I was checking it over the other day & checked a few fluid levels for our June camping trip & here is my question.
Is it about time for a front & rear differential fluid changeout? if so is what are the options besides those listed in the manual? Any sense for senthetic? Any reason to do it at all at this point? How about the 4 WD transfer case?
The truck has been mostly used in light duty & is in excellent shape. The book seems to say as long as the diff fluid is at the right level no need to mess with it. Is there a benefit to synthetic in cold weather? Thanks, I did a short search but didn't find much.
2003 GMC 2500HD Crew Cab 4X4
2002 Trail-lite 7212 21 ft TT
EU2000, 2 boys & Katy the Lab
I think your differentials already have synthetic gear oil, and must use synthetic. Do you have enough hours on the front to justify changing the gear oil in that one? If the transfer case doesn't already have synthetic oil, it might save you a few dollars in fuel cost to switch to syn, especially in your cold winter operation. Synthetic lubes do not thicken as much in the cold, so they allow the machinery to turn over more easily wasting less fuel just moving parts around in thick oil. You might try syn 5W-30 in your engine next winter and see if you notice a difference. (Syn lubes also thin less when very hot, thus offering more protection.)
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If you have the "G80" locking differential you must use synthetic lube. Just changed mine at 70000 miles. Used Mobile 1 75-90. My old lube did not look too bad, probably had 20000 of the 70000 towing our Toyhauler. Very easy process, open the drain plug on bottom front of differential, drain fluid, replace plug. Open top plug and add new fluid. Hope this helps.
2003 Silverado 2500 HD EXT Cab 6.0L Reese 15K
2006 Thor Wild Thing 28SG-M5
1988 HD Electra Glide Sport
2002 Yamaha Roadstar
2002 Suzuki Telefonica GSXR
Because you do tow and haul, I'd change out all the fluids.
I'd change the front/rear differential, transfer case and transmission all at once. Then I'd change the oil and radiator fluid. Along with the upper and lower radiator hoses and thermostat. Lastly, I'd change the fan belt(s) too.
That's just me. Oh, go with all synthetics for your front/rear diff's and transfer case. Transmission too if you can. Engine oil is not as critical because in theory you change that more frequenctly than the other above listed oils.
I just did my front and rear differentals, drain and filled tranny, new plugs, air filter, new serpentine belt, Lucas fuel injector cleaner, Mobil 1 oil change. Runs great and gives me peace of mind...
* This post was
edited 05/28/08 08:18pm by dbcc186 *
2002 Chevrolet 1500 4x4 Ext.Cab 5.3 3.73 rear
Putnam Class V XDR
Prodigy
2008 Jayco Jayflight G2 29BHS
MAXX AIR
Tornado
Reese Strait Line Dual Cam 1,200 lb Trunnion bars
Thanks for the tips, Yes I have been using the 5w-30 engine oil as directed by the manual. I do keep an eye on belts & have premptively changed radiator hoses on other vehicles. I also have already changed the radiator fluid when I put in a hose engine heater last summer.
I did get one(Haynes) of the more detailed repair manuals on the truck. I'll look at the fluids & change them when I'm in the mood. I like to get the stuff ahead of time & have them available.
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