3rd Gen DIY maintenance quick reference

Regarding oil change. What is the best way to check the oil level? Is it best for the truck to have its natural rake or should the body be close to perfectly level? I did my change and sometimes the oil reads right on the mark and sometimes about 1/8" over.

 

I hate to argue, but, using a drive adapter or extension with a torque wrench is fine. It's the distance from the center line of the socket to the handle length.

From https://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1301143
Quote: "If you're changing the drive from 1/4 to 3/8 there isn't any change in torque value. The only time the value changes is if you're using a crowsfoot or some other addition that moves your turning point away from the head of the wrench. Extensions, sockets, drive adapters, etc... all keep the turning point in line with the wrench's head, so there's no change."

John
(Retired Mechanical Engineer)

 

Great information to have.

 

Sub'd. Thanks OP, Toyota care just expired so it's time to to do it myself. Great thread.

I just ordered some oil change stuff off Amazon. Gonna replace the plastic oil filter housing with aluminum. Bought a Fumoto valve too. Got the OEM filters for $6.00 each.

 

I just did my first diy service on my 2016 Tacoma. It’s been over two years since I purchased it and the dealership handled the oil changes until now. After about 20 years of wrenching on all sorts of cars, (International Scout, old Range Rover, Alfa Romeo, and hundreds of thousands of miles racked up on various Saabs) it felt good to get back under a vehicle and do some maintenance.
I did however have a heck of a time with the oil filter. It was extremely tight. I ended up tapping the edge with a hammer and screwdriver to get it to start to rotate. I was doubting my strength because I was having to brace myself to keep from sliding around with the force I was using. Eventually I got it off and discovered the filter was larger than the replacement. In addition, it was twisted. Did the dealer use too large a filter last oil change? Or did I get too small a filter?

 

You should have loosened it. After 5k-10k miles of heat cycles it will get tighter and almost impossible to
remove in one piece. So many horror stories of filters over tightened at the dealer...

 

Wow what the heck? The filter on the left looks like the correct filter, but its hard to judge size based on a pic. The one on the right looks like its either some crazy cool design, or it was smashed in there because it was too big

 

Can someone walk me through greasing the propeller shaft? Am I greasing the zerks? The yokes? The center bearing? All of them?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/check-your-u-joints.409042/

 

Thanks

 

.
...^^^... Great write up ... lost this thread and found it again ...

 

Front wheel bearing nut size and torque?

 

Axle nut? W0133-1812200. Torque for 2nd gen was 173 ft-lb, not sure about 3rd.

 

Looking to buy the socket for it? Do you know the size?

 

35, if it is same as 2nd gen

 

Thank you!

 

It is the same. I just had mine off. Torque sounds correct as well. I’ll double check and edit this post if it’s different.

 

Is this the same nut as what is used on the drive shaft?
Thanks,
John

 

The yoke flange nuts are much smaller than the axle nut 14 and 17mm. I am not sure of the pinion nut size. I haven't messed with it.

BTW 173 is correct on the axle nut torque. So both the size and torque are the same on 6 lug second gens and third gens. Good to know.

 

So what's the consensus on the transfer case fluid?
Ok to use the same Mobil1 75w90 used on the diffs or not?
I tried looking for the OEM 75w Toyota fluid but it was on backorder at my dealership and its expensive AF.