I just inherited a '99 Ranger XLT, 4.0 V6, 4wd. I would like to go through and change all of the fluids. I found excellent information on this site for everything I'd like to do except I can't find anything about how to change the gear oil in the front differential/axle. I got the specs for what oil I need and how much it takes from the owner's manual, but I don't know how to drain it and where the fill plug is.

Nevermind, believe I found my answer.

As I understand it there is not enough clearance to remove the front differential cover, so you get a suction tool and suck the old fluid out from the fill hole. If there is a better way on my particular year/model then let me know, thanks!

That's the best way without dropping the diff. Use a drill pump or a hand pump and pump out the old fluid through the fill hole on the back/driver side of the diff. Once you get under there you'll see it. While that method does work, it doesn't get all the nasty out, only most of it. The right way to do it would be to drop the diff, pull the cover, do it the old school way. But that's kind of a big job, so just do the pump method and change it more often(shorter intervals).

BUT...if you've got a leaky diff cover, drop that puppy out of there.

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'01 XLT disguised as a '03 Fx4 Level II.

Any idea what a hand pump cost Shane. I really need to do my diffs... I mean bad.

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2002 - XLT, 4.0L, 4x4

3" BL, 295 Nitto Terra Grapplers

K&N FIPK, Dual exhaust

<$10 Usually in the grease, grease zerk, gear oil, funnel section of the auto parts store.

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'01 XLT disguised as a '03 Fx4 Level II.

Thanks Shane.

What oil do you recommend for diffs?

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2002 - XLT, 4.0L, 4x4

3" BL, 295 Nitto Terra Grapplers

K&N FIPK, Dual exhaust

75w90 royal purple. and a squirt of friction modifier if you've got LS.

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'01 XLT disguised as a '03 Fx4 Level II.

I am going to try to get it done this week or weekend. If I can I will post up some pics.

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2002 - XLT, 4.0L, 4x4

3" BL, 295 Nitto Terra Grapplers

K&N FIPK, Dual exhaust