Axel tag question

[bluestream1]

In searching previous posts I noticed that a lot of trucks come with an axel tag stating to use 75W140 gear oil. I did not see any posts with trucks newer than 1999 with that tag.

What year did Ford stop put this tag on, and does anyone with a newer model have the gear oil weight tag on theirs?

 

[rwenzing]

In searching previous posts I noticed that a lot of trucks come with an axel tag stating to use 75W140 gear oil. I did not see any posts with trucks newer than 1999 with that tag.

What year did Ford stop put this tag on, and does anyone with a newer model have the gear oil weight tag on theirs?

For 2000, rear axles specify either 80W90 or 75W140, depending on engine, ratio, limited slip or conventional.

The particulars are near the back of your paper owner's manual or you can access Ford glovebox manuals online.

 

[CDW6212R]

Yes, and basically you should use a real synthetic gear oil in an differential now. I know that older vehicles don't call for it, but it does increase the lifespan a lot, plus fuel mileage can go up if you use the two thinner oils.

Amsoil makes three grades, many people have gone with the thinnest(75-90) and gained fuel mileage, the oil is good enough that it is an improvement over stock fluids. I chose the thinnest for my front differentials, and the mid level(75-110) for my rears, I have severe duty applications. Good luck,

 

[bluestream1]

Thanks Guys, what I am really wondering is what year did they stop putting the oil weight tags on? My manual says I should have synthetic oil, as I have 4:10 ratio, but the only tag I have is the standard ratio tag.

I have already changed my oil to Redline 75W140.

 

[CDW6212R]

I'd say they started when the synthetic became standard, and ll should have them. That is a new tag from that point on. Most of those tags are lost or discarded when poor mechanics work on them.

 

[dkchrist]

look at the code on the axle and if it says something like 3L73 (3.73 ratio limited slip) or 4L10 (4.10 limited slip) it should take the 75w140 where as the 3 73 or 4 10 (both open) would take the more conventional 75w or 80w90

 

[bluestream1]

For 2000, rear axles specify either 80W90 or 75W140, depending on engine, ratio, limited slip or conventional.

The particulars are near the back of your paper owner's manual or you can access Ford glovebox manuals online.

Yes, I am aware of that; I have read those pages many times. My Ford Shop manual does not make any mention of the ratio's as the owners manual does. It says: "75W140 for V8 and LSD and 80W90 for all conventional". My axel should have had synthetic according to the owners manual, but not according to the shop manual. I am trying to find out what the factory fill was, because my spider gears were all pitted after only 170,000 Kilometres. If anyone else with a 2000 -2001 has the weight tag, then my axel must have had the 80W90 factory fill, which would help to explain the pitting.

Many other posts here mention having an axel tag with the weight, but I have not seen any with a newer than 1999, so I expect they stoped for 2000. I have a axel tag, but with no oil weight. Ford did issue a TSB 05-23-3 calling for all 2002-2005 to be changed to 75W140. (also all 1997 and newer F150 now should have 75E140)

Does anyone know what year they stop putting the axel tags that specify recommended weight?

http://www.ford-trucks.com/tsb/fulltext/show_article.php?tsb=05-23-3

 

[rwenzing]

FWIW....

My 2003 Ranger has a factory tag on the rear axle calling for 75W140 synthetic. Other Ranger models from 2003 that used 80W90 had no tag. While this isn't Explorer specific, it does show that Ford hadn't stopped the use of axle tags on every model after 99.