Rear Differential

I have a 2011 E450 and it's time to change the rear differential Fluid. Does anyone know where I can locate the information as to which Differential it has? Theres a couple possibilities and I don't see it on the differential. Is there a label somewhere or a secret decoder ring that might divulge the info?

I have a 2011 E450 and it's time to change the rear differential Fluid. Does anyone know where I can locate the information as to which Differential it has? Theres a couple possibilities and I don't see it on the differential. Is there a label somewhere or a secret decoder ring that might divulge the info?

Try the door sticker?

https://www.blueovaltrucks.com/tech-articles/identify-your-ford-truck-axle-from-the-door-sticker/

Tag number on axle?

https://www.differentials.com/technical-help-2/differential-identification/

My Ford door sticker says I have a  '52' and that crosses to a Dana 70 HD   7400#   4.10 Ratio.      Found a couple other charts and they agreed FWIW.
 
But the PC sticker I have says I have a 7800# rear axle rating. I am not gonna lose any sleep over that, but imagine it will spike alarm from others.

A dealer can lookup that information for you via the VIN number.  You can do it yourself via the VIN on the Ford parts website also (not an auto parts store).

Volk, thanks, no tag on mine. I won’t lose sleep over having one or another. There are three options and two diff lube requirements and that’s where I want to get it right .


Don. Using the VIN, Your probably right, that’s the secret decoder ring when all else fails.


Thank you both!

Volk, thanks, no tag on mine. I won’t lose sleep over having one or another. There are three options and two diff lube requirements and that’s where I want to get it right .


Don. Using the VIN, Your probably right, that’s the secret decoder ring when all else fails.


Thank you both!

Did you not have a door sticker??   I have not even looked to see if I have a tag. Vin should work, dunno. My sources all said door sticker was the #1, then axle tag as a backup.

The sticker SHOULD be located in the drivers door jamb. Its a Ford factory sticker and should never be removed or defaced.









EDIT - Very Odd. Tried https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/vindecoder.php  and the VIN for the PC shows as invalid. My other truck (a nissan!) works fine.   Tried https://driving-tests.org/vin-decoder/  and the PC VIN worked.     No axle info, however. 

EDIT2 - Evidently rear axle is not a VIN specified thing. I did not know that.

Vehicle Descriptor Section
 Characters four through eight represent the model, body type, restraint system, transmission type, and engine code. The ninth character is a security code that authenticates the VIN.

Volk, so I called quick lane (connected to ford dealership) they advised SAE 90 gear lube. It takes a little over a gallon.  I’m at 63,000 miles. Being I tow and it’s heavy as it is I look at it as preventative maintenance to change it out . I intended to do it at 60,000 miles but stuff keeps side tracking me.  Heck sometimes I walk out to the garage and then can’t remember what I went looking for.

Volk, so I called quick lane (connected to ford dealership) they advised SAE 90 gear lube. It takes a little over a gallon.  I’m at 63,000 miles. Being I tow and it’s heavy as it is I look at it as preventative maintenance to change it out . I intended to do it at 60,000 miles but stuff keeps side tracking me.  Heck sometimes I walk out to the garage and then can’t remember what I went looking for.

Great! Glad that is resolved.

 You might want to, I add a 'moly' type additive (Molybdenum disulfide) to gear oil. (GEAR oil, Not the engine oil)


 Less friction, and I believe it is beneficial.   Down side is that it changes the oil to black/very dark brown so when checked later it has a 'burnt' appearance and may cause alarm if checked by an unknowing party.

 I happen to use the Kimball Midwest version, but have used many other types. 

I use full synthetic 75/140 gear lube, superb substitute for straight 90 weight

Thanks guys, much appreciated. I use synthetic in my jeep already so I’ll prob go that route. I hadn’t planned on going straight old school 90. Not that it wouldn’t work just think synthetic or like Volk mentioned adding to the base.