front differential

[skipc10]

2 questions on my 96 4wd front diff:

- I think I remember it being a Dana 35. The Chilton's manual says to add friction modifier if it's a limited slip one. I know my rear one is, but hadn't heard that any front ones are. How do I tell if the front is also limited slip?


- Back when I knew a service guy at the dealer, he told me that it was originally spec'd with a certain, unique oil, then there was a note on a TSB that changed it to regular 80W90, then there was another that changed it back or to something else, then I lost touch. Does anyone have some history on why they changed it and what the final recommendation is? Remember, it has the control clutches for the wheel locks in there too....

Thanks.

 

[jasonb]

hey man.. brookfield, ga huh? i grew up just down the road in tifton. my parents still live down there.

on to your questions.. it isn't a true dana35. its actually a sterling van dyke 135 which is basically a knockoff of the dana35. this is important if you plan on putting a locker in there especially. it is an open differential, not a limited slip. limited slip isn't even an option for the front. you don't need to add modifier if you use something like AMSOIL, but you still can if you want to. i believe the recommended for the front is the 75w140 or something like that. i'm not certain.

btw.. if you want to lock the front, i know where you can get a good deal!

 

[JDraper]

You don't need friction modifier in the front since it's a true open diff. 80W90 is what is spec'd for the axle. You can run either dino oil or synthetic. I personally would run synthetic.