OK, I just changed my F/R diffs with Amsoil synthetic and (like an idiot) I forgot about changing out the black vent cap for the white one. So now I've gotta pull those dang skidplates again and swap 'em out. But my question is what's gonna happen from running syn for a couple hundred miles with the black vent? BTW, I'm just assuming that my truck has the black one, it could have been swapped out by the guy who had the truck before me, as the diff. fluid was fairly fresh and and the porta-john smell wasn't quite so strong.:D

While I'm typing, is there any easy way to fill the front diff? I used a flex hose screwed onto the bottle, but couldn't find a place to tilt it up above the fill hole to let gravity run it's course. So I was forced to do this snaking motion with the hose to "simulate" gravity, and it got pretty messy. How are you guys doing it...a hand pump?

For the short term, no issues. The claim is that the O-ring is not compatable with synthetic and over time, it will deteriorate.
As for the easy fill method, This pump from Amsoil works GREAT for the differentials and transfer case.
https://www.amsoil.com/storefront/g2039.aspx

I've been running synthetic lube in my front diff with the original black cap without issue for six years and over 150,000 miles. The only problem that I'm aware of with the black cap versus white cap is the fact that the venting "scoop" baffle in the black cap is fixed and there's a rotating metal one in the white cap that always points downward by gravity. I heard reports that if the black cap baffle is in the wrong position that the synthetic lube may be flung and "pump" up the vent hose due to its reduced viscosity and flow characteristics.

About filling, I use a screw-on shutoff valve with hose barb, about 18 inches of 3/8" tubing and hold the bottle upside down in the driver's side wheelwell behind the tire with the tube snaked forward of the shock and over the framerail to the diff.

Ok, so, stupid question.

I have changed my rear diff fluid without incident, and will get to the front shortly but........where the heck is this black/white ventcap that everyone keeps talking about??? Under the hood on top, or down below, somewhere on the differential??? thanks.

ted

driver side frame rail. Just follow the black hose that is on the drivers side on the front diff at about the 11 o'clock position. At the end of the black hose will be the cap.

It's big - about 3" in diameter. Screws into the diff, has a large hex in the center and in the center of the hex is the nipple for the diff vent hose.

ok the last two people said two totally different spots.

ok the last two people said two totally different spots.

Nope, same spot. driver's side of the diff near the top. First directions had you trace back the vent hose from the frame rail to the cap on the diff. I described the cap with the nipple for the previously mentioned hose attached.

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=6801&d=1122321346

sweet i guess lbz's come with the white one.

sweet i guess lbz's come with the white one.

All DMaxes 2003 and up come standard with the white cap. Here's the difference from the inside between the caps - black cap has a fixed baffle and a black o-ring, white cap has the rotating metal baffle and a blue o-ring that is more compatible with synthetics.

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze7z5f3/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/frontdiffcover2.jpg

Ahhhhhhhhh, great. Thanks guys for the guidance. I was looking in the wrong place.

Ahhhhhhhhh, great. Thanks guys for the guidance. I was looking in the wrong place.

No problemo and you have no worries with a 2007. Nice boat, by the way. I just sold my house in West Palm July 2006 after 20 years of Florida residency.

No problemo and you have no worries with a 2007. Nice boat, by the way. I just sold my house in West Palm July 2006 after 20 years of Florida residency.

wow, FL to ID.....that's quite the change. For me, I'm finally HOME (fisherman's paradise) after unhappy stints in NY, NJ and CA.....

All DMaxes 2003 and up come standard with the white cap. Here's the difference from the inside between the caps - black cap has a fixed baffle and a black o-ring, white cap has the rotating metal baffle and a blue o-ring that is more compatible with synthetics.

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze7z5f3/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/frontdiffcover2.jpg

No offence but just to clarify Tom's comment...not all 2003's came with the white cap...mine was black but was manufactured in Nov 2006. Best to get on your back and check before changing the fluid and buy a white one if needed before the fluid change. 2003's later on came with the white cap.

Anyone have the part number for the white cap? Thanks
Brandon

Gm # 12479390

Eric carries the white one's here:

http://www.merchant-automotive.com/whiteventcap.aspx