Proper gear oil for Rubicon Rear diff?

[WrangleDangle]

I looked through the owners manual and it is confusing to determine which gear oil to use for my rear differential.
On my window sticker it only states that I have a Dana M220 Wide Rear Axle.
Per the attached file, It appears I should use SAE 75W85 oil. However, the Rubicon has Lockers and does that make a difference? Also- The manual references to Sales Codes DRE/DRF. How do I find the sales codes?
I really want to use the proper oil, but the manual isn't making it easy for me to know what to use.
Thanks for any help.

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[Rhinebeck01]

@WrangleDangle

Read this whole thread.. Answers to your ? are there:
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/differential-oil-change.47318/


To see a copy of your JLU's build sheet:

Click on the link. Now, go up and add you Vin # to the URL and then press your Enter key again.
https://www.jeep.com/webselfservice/BuildSheetServlet?vin=

 

[bshaw4377]

75w85 front and rear axles, no friction modifier.

 

[Rhinebeck01]

75w85 front and rear axles, no friction modifier.

@bshaw4377

Especially, IF his JLU has tow package he will not want to use 75w85 / 75w90 in the rear diff...

OP, should read that whole thread I posted link to, so he has the info he needs to make an educated decision in regard to proper fill for his JLU.

 

[DanW]

Look at what Dana recommends, not Jeep.....75w140 at both ends, last I looked.

I run 75w90 in the front just because it doesn't get much work compared to the rear. But when I change it again, I'll probably bump it to the 75w140.

Dana doesn't worry about eeking .0001 mpg out of it.

 

[WrangleDangle]

Thnk you all for your advice.

 

[cs2k]

Look at what Dana recommends, not Jeep.....75w140 at both ends, last I looked.

This! I linked the official Dana recommendations here, use the thicker oil for longer lasting diff gears.

 

[jlur_2019]

This! I linked the official Dana recommendations here, use the thicker oil for longer lasting diff gears.

Gents,
Good threads. Gonna give it a go at my first DIY with 2019 JLUR.
Read the threads and got it. 75W140 in rear & 75W90 in front....
Wrt filling....Do I just fill until it starts oozing out for both the front and the rear?
Also, I was planning on doing this in my driveway / garage which have the "normal" slight grade so water drains away from house. Is it critical to get jeep totally level?
TIA

 

[DanW]

Gents,
Good threads. Gonna give it a go at my first DIY with 2019 JLUR.
Read the threads and got it. 75W140 in rear & 75W90 in front....
Wrt filling....Do I just fill until it starts oozing out for both the front and the rear?
Also, I was planning on doing this in my driveway / garage which have the "normal" slight grade so water drains away from house. Is it critical to get jeep totally level?
TIA

Yep, keep it level and fill until it just starts to drip out of the fill hole. Or if you are really precise, you could get it just right up to the bottom of the fill hole. I don't think that a very very slight grade will hurt anything, especially if it is a shallow enough grade not to be able to really see it with the naked eye. Anything more and I'd probably find another place that is at least very close to level.

The level may not be as sensitive as we think, but I tend to play it safe with these things.

 

[stumblinhorse]

Here is my advice on the change process.

1. Always loosen the fill plug before you take out the drain plug. You want to make sure you can fill it back before you drain.
2. Do the change with the fluid a little warm. After a short drive.
3. Remove the drain plug. And let drain for 10 minutes or so.
4. Jack up one side of the axel. Let drain for 10 minutes or so.
5. Jack up other side of the axel. Let drain for 10 minutes or so.
6. Replace drain plug and fill with whatever lube you are going to use until it weeps out.

don’t worry about it if you can’t fill with as much as the capacity. Jacking up each side will get you closer, but there will be still some left.

 

[AdamG]

Here is my advice on the change process.

1. Always loosen the fill plug before you take out the drain plug. You want to make sure you can fill it back before you drain.

My front pinion leaked a little fluid at some point in the last 3 months (garage floor has been pretty dirty) and I checked/added some fluid today, turned out to be just a couple tablespoons. Anyways, came across this thread while making sure I knew what I was doing and just thought point #1 was worth repeating. Makes tons of sense but I’m certainly guilty of not doing it in the past!

 

[wreck99]

I'm curious on what others are doing for first fluid changes. Oil is cheap so I'm fine with going sooner than later from factory fill. Manual says 40k for changing axle fluid, and 60k for transfer case. I have the MT which says to change that fluid at 30k. So I'm kind of thinking just line it all up and do together, but I've also read some folks changing their diffs earlier like 15k or even the first fill at like 5k. I don't think I want to wait 40k or even 60k... I do some light offroading so far, monthly. I might bump that up some based on comfort and time. I'd rather err on the side of caution and change fluids early. How early is too early? lol I know polarizing topic.

 

[gsbrockman]

I'm curious on what others are doing for first fluid changes. Oil is cheap so I'm fine with going sooner than later from factory fill. Manual says 40k for changing axle fluid, and 60k for transfer case. I have the MT which says to change that fluid at 30k. So I'm kind of thinking just line it all up and do together, but I've also read some folks changing their diffs earlier like 15k or even the first fill at like 5k. I don't think I want to wait 40k or even 60k... I do some light offroading so far, monthly. I might bump that up some based on comfort and time. I'd rather err on the side of caution and change fluids early. How early is too early? lol I know polarizing topic.

Sooner than later will be better. I’d certainly check the fluid levels if you haven’t.

My used 2022 Willys XR I purchased at 6,700 miles was 8 ozs low in the front differential and 12 ozs low in the rear differential.

I’m at 14k miles now, and that will be an upcoming project soon for me.

 

[wreck99]

Sooner than later will be better. I’d certainly check the fluid levels if you haven’t.

My used 2022 Willys XR I purchased at 6,700 miles was 8 ozs low in the front differential and 12 ozs low in the rear differential.

I’m at 14k miles now, and that will be an upcoming project soon for me.

I haven't checked it yet. When did you change yours? Or are you getting ready for first change at 15k?

 

[gsbrockman]

I’m gonna do mine around 15k

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