Changed rear fluid

[MIREALTOR]

Last night I changed the fluid in the rear end and I was only able to fill it with 3qts? I thought that these diffs took between 3.5 and 4 qts to fill. I let it drain for quite a while before I began refilling. Did I miss something? The truck in question is a 2001 2500HD

[Roofer]

Go drive the truck a bit. Take some curves and turns to get that stuff swished around, then recheck fluid level.

[rziler]

Mine took exactly 3 qts. I checked it a week later and it was still full.

It's a 2004 2500HD w/4.10 G80 locker.

Thats all I know.

[k3500]

From what I understand, the 6.0 has a smaller rearend than the 8.1/DMAX trucks. The 6.0 has a 10.5 and the 8.1/DMAX has the 11.5.. Not sure if that would cause a difference in the amount of fluid, but I do know my 8.1 took 4 qts.

[Chevyfreek]

From what I understand, the 6.0 has a smaller rearend than the 8.1/DMAX trucks. The 6.0 has a 10.5 and the 8.1/DMAX has the 11.5.. Not sure if that would cause a difference in the amount of fluid, but I do know my 8.1 took 4 qts.

 

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This is exactly right! The reason is that the 6.0L trucks have the smaller rear axle size as previously stated. When I did mine is was right around the 3 quart mark as well.

[71GMC_3/4T]

Sorry for 'jacking your post, but I was wondering how easy or tough it is to change the diff fluid in the G80. Is there a drain plug, or a lower bolt that you can pull to drain it? Or do you have to drop and reseal the pan? I'd like to change mine over to synthetic soon. I just turned 20,000 miles.

Thanks!

71gmc

[Roofer]

Yes, there is a drain plug and it makes it so much easier. I went to synthetic not long after I started towing alot with my truck. I used 75-90 Mobil1.

[99silveradoz71]

I believe I've heard some of the older trucks have plugs and some of the newer ones do not. My first change we drained via the plug and still took the cover off and cleaned her up. None of it is all that difficult, and I'm not particularly mechanically inclined.

[bigdogs]

My 03 2500HD with the 11.5" rear end has the drain plug at the bottom of the case and agree it is SO MUCH nicer than having to pop the cover off. BTW the newer one are already filled with synthetic fluid aka grape juice. I drained mine after a break in and refilled it with 4qts of Amsoil Series 2K

[Mighty HD]

I think my 04 hd 6.0 has a 11.5? I may be wrong..

[bigdogs]

Not from the factory as the only ones that get the 11.5" rears are the DMax and 8.1

[number9]

I changed mine last night and came here looking for this very info. Mine only took about 2.5qts to fill and run out of the fill hole.

[GMSVCMGR99801]

Here is the Gm capacities list for 2001 4x4 C&K trucks.

 

Capacities - Approximate Fluid

Application

Specification

 

Metric

English

 

Axle Capacities

 

Front Drive Axle (8.25")

1.66 liters

1.75 quarts

 

Front Drive Axle (9.25")

1.73 liters

1.83 quarts

 

Rear Drive Axle (8.6")

2.28 liters

2.41 quarts

 

Rear Drive Axle (9.5")

2.6 liters

2.75 quarts

 

Rear Drive Axle (10.5")

2.6 liters

2.75 quarts

 

Rear Drive Axle (11.5")

3.62 liters

3.83 quarts

 

Hope this helps

[number9]

Thanks for the post, that puts my mind at ease.