Fluid levels for front diff and transf case --jacked in front

[EB4X]

Hey gang,
I know the obvious (best to have it fully level) BUT has anyone, or have you heard that filling front differential and transfer case to top of fill plug WHEN vehicle is on RAMPS (9" in front)/ small slant--- would this fall into SAFE ZONE/ "good enough" for levels on these. Or do I have to pay shop (which are asking for a lot for these simple procedures to put on a lift.
Tires are maxed out on ramps so don't want to jack up rear, was going to put front in 4L but not thrilled about that ..and don't have anyone to brake while jacking up rear to make vehicle level.

 

[donalds]

As level as you can get.
I did mine in my driveway which is not level.
I just added the recommended amount and forgot about it.

 

[EB4X]

As level as you can get.
I did mine in my driveway which is not level.
I just added the recommended amount and forgot about it

Thanks....don't have manual anymore and get different specs online to amount...so just wanted to go with agreed upon..."fill it to the plug" level...
So you had vehicle backed up onto driveway with front lifted or were just able to squeeze under and do without jacking up at all?

 

[Mbrooks420]

I’d try and get it more level than ramps. No one has a second set of ramps you could borrow?

 

[donalds]

Thanks....don't have manual anymore and get different specs online to amount...so just wanted to go with agreed upon..."fill it to the plug" level...
So you had vehicle backed up onto driveway with front lifted or were just able to squeeze under and do witho

I jack it up crack loose the plug then
Let it down and slide under and fill
If I can fit I'm 6ft and 275 pounds .

 

[EB4X]

Suctioned / drained and refilled on ramps. When I do rear diff later this week I'll squeeze under both and top off while on level ground now that I know it's (barely) doable thanks to Donald's .... I'm 6'3" !
Sitting on ramps I had to drop finger down about 1/3" to feel existing fluid so it was a little low so now it has more....and upon removing fill plug on transfer case (in that position) there was a small stream of fluid that came out of there....so before plugging it back up I gave it a quick stroke of pump and quickly popped on plug there...so that's probably about right.
The ATF that came out had some brass colored glitter going on ...like an episode of Yukon Gold....
but no flakes fortunately

 

[Pete Deering]

Suctioned / drained and refilled on ramps. When I do rear diff later this week I'll squeeze under both and top off while on level ground now that I know it's (barely) doable thanks to Donald's .... I'm 6'3" !
Sitting on ramps I had to drop finger down about 1/3" to feel existing fluid so it was a little low so now it has more....and upon removing fill plug on transfer case (in that position) there was a small stream of fluid that came out of there....so before plugging it back up I gave it a quick stroke of pump and quickly popped on plug there...so that's probably about right.
The ATF that came out had some brass colored glitter going on ...like an episode of Yukon Gold....
but no flakes fortunately

What fluid are u using for the transfer case and quality? And the front diff?

 

[CDW6212R]

The rear diff level is basically at the fill hole, due to people doing it with the back jacked up some while filling it. The actual spec is a little under the hole(1/4"), both front and back diffs, but it's kind of hard to get your finger in there and feel that exact distance down inside.

 

[C420sailor]

“but it’s kind of hard to get your finger in there”

So to speak

 

[CDW6212R]

“but it’s kind of hard to get your finger in there”

So to speak

I have fat fingers, and using my little finger doesn't work well either. You shouldn't have to find a young teenager to check it for you. It's a rough measurement and I'm sure Ford techs don't spend extra time to make it perfect either. If I was worried about it, I'd find a pipe filter and bend it to fit down in the hole well.

 

[EB4X]

FYI for anyone interested....I did the rear on ramps too being I decided to pump out / pump in like front (being I might be in there next year to replace clutches) and once lowered/ back level, I checked the fluid and it was at perfect level --just up to plug -- this was with a steady stream coming back out on ramps as I frantically put plug back on. So in other words....have plug ready on the go...and shoot one big stream in even after it starts leaking out, followed by quick plug install....and that will put level spot-on when vehicle is level.
P.S. Is there a DEEP ratchet hole style drain plug for these rear diffs... my stock one has a very shallow hole to input ratchet/ ratchet extension, which is no doubt why the P.O. ended up tweaking it a bit.