I have an '04 with only 75K...it's a garage/road trip highway queen. No towing.

I've taken great care of the truck, and it still looks and drives like new. I checked the Ford Maintenance Schedule and it appears the the diff and transfer case fluid doesn't need to be replaced until 150K. Is that correct? Seems like a long stretch to me...the truck is 13 years old too, after all. At a recent dealer "Works" oil change, they recommended it "based on mileage". Three hundred bucks for the "4X4 Service". I told them I'd think about it.

What say you, gentlemen?

 

300 bucks just to change your diff and transfer case fluid??

 

I tow, so I change mine out every 30K....

Ford advertises "lifetime" oil in the automatic transmission, and 150K for the differential (and for you, a 4x4 owner, the transfer case).

One has to ask, what is meant by "lifetime"?

If you have simple tools and time, it is not hard to change the differential fluid, or the transfer case.

But if you don't use the truck in such a way that would make you worry about these long intervals, then no need to bother.

 

Change mine every 60K unless submerged...

 

With the age and mileage, it won't hurt. Only changed mine because accidentally submerged them. Will also give you a chance to check out the guts to ensure all is well. Some very nice write-ups on this forum..

 

If the price were half that, I'd pay it because it's worth my time...but for three hundies I'll do it myself. I did it to a Toyota pickup back in the 80s when I didn't have any money.

 

Thanks guys...I'll swap it out within the next month and report my findings.

 

Sounds good. Super easy to do yourself even if you only have basic tools. When you have your diff covers off think about sanding them down and painting them with some kind of anti-rust paint to protect them. Just my 2 cents.