After reading about the suggested asap fluid change, I decided to get it done. Before I drained it, I stuck my finger in the hole check the fluid level...it was good.

After draining, I really wasn't surprised (thanks to the warning) to find the fluid very murky, stunk and had metal dust-like fragments throughout, just as it was pictured in another post. I refilled with Full Synthetic 75/140.

Thanks ClubTitan, for saving my rear end. :***:

Same thing for me today. Have 960 miles on 04. Stuff looked black and seemed to be lots of sediment. I put the new nissan 75w - 140 in. Was $18 a quart. I feel alot better about towing now.

I checked mine today after 1000 miles and it is clear and it smells normal. Going on a 1500 mile trip, so I was also concerned.

Hey Power T, Did you use the Supertech 75W-140?

Hey Power T, Did you use the Supertech 75W-140?

That's it. $8/qt. at Wally World.

I think I will do the same when I hit 6,000, probably in May. Since Jet Techs was good after 3,000 I may let it go 6,000 and check it.

While we are talking about Fluids, You probably want to change your Transfer case fluid out soon too. Many (including me) have found it to be almost as bad as the rear diff.

I may check out that transfer case, what fluid are you putting there?

By the way I waited until 17000 to change the rear diff fluid. It was everything mentioned here already!

It is Basically Dextron III ATF. There is some discussion on it in the Technical and How-to forums. Some on here have used Valvoline Maxlife or Mobil1. I used Castrol at 3,000 mi and will probably switch to one of those at 6,000.