Changing diff, transfer case and transmission fluids?

For the front diff the best way to refill is to run a funnel on a 3' hose from the engine compartment down to the fill plug. SOOO much easier than messing with a pump under the truck.

 

Great idea, that's what i did on my previous car (honda accord) and it worked well, i'll give it a try this weekend

 

Stupid me I didn't even think to try that but I will next time....thanks!

 

Im about to change the fluids on the differentials and manual trans on my 2002 Taco and have a few questions:
1. How much fluid is needed for the manual transmission?
2. Can someone post a pic of the drain and fill plug locations on the trans.
3. How much fluid is needed for both differentials?
4. Is the trans and transfer case all one case and use the same fluid? or is it drained and filled separately?

Thanks
Frank T

 

You will need a total of 9-10 quarts to change everything rear diff, front diff, transmission, and transfer case..Sorry don't have a pic of the transmission plugs, but their 24mm,same for transfer case and rear diff, front diff is going to be a 10mm allen socket.. Transmission and transfer case are changed Separately..

 

The manual trans and differentials take as much fluid as is needed to make it reach the fill port. Keep pumping in more gear oil until it starts to drip out, then plug it with the fill plug and a *new* washer (you can get the washers from Toyota for super cheap). If you have to reuse the old one you can, but it's always worth the peace of mind to put a new one on and they cost like .10 each.

Also, make sure you loosen the fill plug BEFORE you take the drain plug off and drain the transmission and differentials. You don't want to drain them only to find out that your fill plug is seized up and you can't get new fluid in.

 

Guys thanks for the quick replies.

This may sound silly but, I know how to change it, I just need to know how much to buy and the correct plugs to remove. The wrench sizes will be helpful but Is there service manual pic on line somewhere that shows the locations?
Also I read alot about using MT90 Redline in the trans. Is that recommended for the differentials and transfer case also?
Im used to working on stuff from the 60s and 70s so 90weight oil went in manuals AND differentials... but I understand this new stuff is a bit more sensitive to what is needed.

Thanks in advance
Frank T

 

sorry for the tutorial, lol. I got a little carried away. Someone will have to verify but I'm 90% sure that Redline makes a 75w90 fluid specifically for manual transmissions and another 75w90 fluid for the diffs and t/case.

For the transmission you want to make sure it's GL5 fluid and not GL4, that might be why Redline makes 2 different types.

 

I personally use Mobil 1 75w90 in everything(rear diff, front diff, transmission, & transfer case) on my 04.. Rear diff, transmission, & transfer case fill & drain plugs all take a 24mm socket , front diff takes a 10mm Allen wrench/socket..

 

OP , you need a cheap tarp from Harbor Freight to spread on the ground. Makes clean up very easy!! Nice job. Im going to be doing soon as well.

 

Good info
Since It seems I need different oil for the differentials and transmissions. Does anyone know how many quarts the transmission uses vs the differentials?
No one in my area has the MT90 so I need to order it on line so I need to know how much.

Im experiencing sticky shifts going into third gear so i want to change it to the MT90 to see if it helps.

Thanks

 

So what mileage would you guys recommend getting the front diff, rear diff and tranny fluid changed out?

 

25,000 - 30,000 - sooner if you do a lot of water crossings.

 

I just called toyota and they said 2.6 quarts in a 2002 5 speed manual transmission.

 

Bumping this
anyone have some pics of the trans, transfer case drain & fill plugs. I know they are all 24MM but where are they?
Again I have a 2002 Tacoma with a 5sp manual 4x4

 

For the most relevant info regarding your 2002 Tacoma, recommend you peruse the 1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004) forum and post your question there rather than here in the 2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015) forum.

 

Sorry about that. Ill redirect

 

Thanks guys! I'm at 40K, I'll get this done asap.

 

25,000-30,000k? Double or triple that before you need to change fluids under normal service

 

30k is the called for interval for front and rear diff, along with the transfer case. Easy job to do