3rd Gen Differential and Manual Transmission (6MT) Fluid Change

My buddy has a 2016 TRD OR auto sooooo

$29 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

75W-90 mobil 1 is fine for both diffs and t case on the Auto?

 

I believe the auto has the same T case as the MT? Straight / special 75W, not multigrade.

 

He needs to check his owner's manual for volumes, I can only speak to manual transmission, non-locker rear diffs. Asking if it's fine is kind of an over simplification but...

Short answer: that isn't the fluid weight that Toyota calls out for anything in our Tacos. He *should* use 75w-80 for front and rear diffs and Toyota LF 75W for transfer case.

Longer answer: I used

$29 75w-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

75w-90 for front and rear diffs and haven't touched the transfer case fluid yet (but will later this year); when I do, I'll try to source the Toyota fluid before going with Ravenol as a back-up.

Longest answer (and with no liability for anything later): A large number of dealers put 75w-90 in everything (typically the cheapest they can source in bulk). Many second gen trucks are on the road with nothing but dealer fluid service. That said, Toyota corp isn't going to fault you for a dealer error if there's a failure. They will fault you if you did the work.

OA

 

75W90 anything in both front and rear diffs. Straight 75W in the Tcase (it says MTL you can use in Tcase)

http://www.ravenol.de/en/products/usage/d/Product/show/p/ravenol-mtf-3-sae-75w.html

 

I used Mobil 1 on my second gen diffs and t case and it actually feels smoother. I changed them all at 30K and the T case really didn’t need it. Wasn’t sure if 3rd gens were different. Figured i would double check. But i will Check with him and see if he wants to source the 75w for t case and just do the diffs. He hasn’t done a lot of off roading yet so t case should be fine. Thanks.

 

For the diffs, can you just pump in oil until it slowly starts seeping out of the fill hole? I used to own a 330ci and that is how a lot of the members on their forums recommended doing it.

 

Absolutely - just make sure you’re parked level. Toyota’s spec is 0 to 5mm below the fill plug; effectively, what you described.

OA

 

Well I tried to do the front differential today after the ECGS bushing install! Ended up just adding fluid since I could not get the drain bolt off! I do not have a breaker bar but shit 40 ftlb of torque should not be that hard to get loose!

 

I replaced the rear differential fliud today (7000 miles). Took 4.5 quarts of M1

$29 75w 90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

75w 90. Fluid was clean almost like green tea.

 

Just changed mine too, rear looked pretty good but the front looked like garbage. ~20000 miles

 

Not cool. That should have been that tight. Maybe some rust seizing it up? Possibly use some anti-seize when you do get it off?

 

That front diff bolt needs a good bit of breakaway torque to free, and it will have practically zero torque the instant it breaks free, smashed my finger on the concrete from that damn thing.

 

I noticed that when I removed the fill bolt! Need to get me a breaker bar and give it another shot this weekend!

 

Following

 

Wanted to share this pic as I wait for the rest of the rear to drain. Protruding from the gunk on the magnetic plug is a nice sized metal shaving!


Edits (added) - The drain plug for the front diff was caked up like the rear one except without any huge metal chunks.

The rear drained barely 3.5 qts and took just over 4 qts to fill.

The front drained about 1.5 qts and took about the same to fill.

1558 miles

 

How was the fluid color?

OA

 

Pretty dark compared to the Amsoil fluid. Dark dark grey/almost black if I had to give it a color if that makes any sense?

 

Sounds as though it looked like mine. Odd QC from Toyota...

OA

 

Does anyone know where to buy Genuine Toyota Gear Oil Gl3. Whatever comes in the Tranny from the factory.

 

For the same price or less you can get Redline MT90 for the manual trans, a lot of members use it. Toyota specs GL4 for the trans

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...MI6K7_lqSl3AIVz8DICh2WswypEAkYASABEgIBkfD_BwE

It’s absolute top of the line ester based group V synthetic gear and trans fluid and oil.

Btw summit racing is free shipping if you spend $100

And to answer your question, I’m not sure outside of the dealership. An online search only shows Toyota ATF