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Rear differential oil change. Help!

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by TacomaTyler_2002, Jan 4, 2020.

  1. Jan 4, 2020 at 11:08 PM
    #1
    TacomaTyler_2002

    TacomaTyler_2002 [OP] Well-Known Member

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  2. Jan 4, 2020 at 11:12 PM
    #2
    757yotas

    757yotas Well-Known Member

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    ICI Magnum front bumer Rigid LED lighting OME lift 285/70 Nitto Exos 17" Fuel Hostage TRD Exhaust TonnauPro Cover Oil Catch Can Tint Pioneer Nav system Sound System LED lighting Euro headlights Paint
    75w90 or 80w90 is fine to use, fill it till it comes out the fill hole then plug it up and call it a day. Personally I use supertech 80w90 and use a pump in the bottle for my rear diff. T case and front diff get supertech 75w90 full syn. Dyno for the rear cuz I have a mechanical lsd
     
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  3. Jan 4, 2020 at 11:17 PM
    #3
    TacomaTyler_2002

    TacomaTyler_2002 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    how many quarts should I buy?
     
  4. Jan 4, 2020 at 11:41 PM
    #4
    757yotas

    757yotas Well-Known Member

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    I always get the gallon jug but I also change my girlfriends 4runners diff out aswell. If I remember right it's right around 3 quarts I think
     
  5. Jan 5, 2020 at 3:29 AM
    #5
    Wyoming09

    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    Always remove the fill plug first!!

    It is a royal pain to drain what your working on then have getting the fill plug out turn into a week long adventure
     
  6. Jan 5, 2020 at 7:43 AM
    #6
    thenodnarb

    thenodnarb Well-Known Member

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    !!! this is important!!
     
  7. Jan 5, 2020 at 7:49 AM
    #7
    eon_blue

    eon_blue Most Improved Member

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    Yes remove fill plug first that way you aren't screwed if you drain it first and then the fill plug gets stripped. Also it's a good idea to replace the crush washers on the plugs, they're cheap even though a lot of people just reuse them.
    75w90 non synthetic, the walmart stuff works well
     
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  8. Jan 5, 2020 at 8:16 AM
    #8
    dukiespice

    dukiespice New Member

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    Your local Toyota dealer should always have plenty of crush washers available always replace those. I'd recommend redline gear oil!
     
  9. Jan 6, 2020 at 10:17 AM
    #9
    devanHI

    devanHI Member

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    I just did mine a month ago, make sure to pull the fill plug first. It is a 24mm hex head bolt, DO NOT DEVIATE FROM THAT! The previous owner seemed to have used a 1" 12point to get it off and I got lucky to hammer my 24mm 6 point on and sit on a 1/2" impact lock enough to rattle it off. Spend the money on good 6 point socket sets and a stout breaker bar if you dont have an impact. Never use an drill/power tool to put parts like these back together. Check the DIY thread for exact measurements, but I bought 4 quarts incase I spilled any which ended up being a good idea. Your local dealer will have the washers you need, and in my case they also had the bolts. Make sure your truck is on jack stands at at least level. I jacked my rear end up a little higher than level to make the filling g process faster, it takes time for the oil to make it's way through all the gears and axle so there is a period at the end where it's literally a couple oz's then wait.
    All these notes will make sense when you read through the DIY Sticky on the 1st gen page.

    PS, wear long sleeves and long rubber gloves if you have them, eye protection, and a hat. This stuff gets all over, and it smells like what you would imagine dead dinosaurs to smell like. It does not come off easily.
    Edit* here is a link https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/changing-differential-fluid-a-step-by-step-how-to.24545/
     
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  10. Jan 6, 2020 at 8:21 PM
    #10
    cruisedon66

    cruisedon66 Well-Known Member

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    If you want to drain all the fluid.
    Jack up one end of the axle the get all the fluid to drain toward the drain.
    Lower that side.
    Then jack up the other side.
    Not really necessary. But a buddy of mine used to do his that way. : )
     
  11. Jan 17, 2020 at 7:56 AM
    #11
    TacomaTyler_2002

    TacomaTyler_2002 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Are the fill and drain plug crush washers the same size?
     
  12. Jan 17, 2020 at 8:08 AM
    #12
    geargazer

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  13. Jan 17, 2020 at 8:10 AM
    #13
    TacomaTyler_2002

    TacomaTyler_2002 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thank you!
     
  14. Jan 17, 2020 at 10:30 AM
    #14
    Wsidr1

    Wsidr1 Well-Known Member

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    Those little transfer pumps are handy, but it you have some clear hose you can just snip of the pour spout a little smaller than the hose diameter, slip the hose over the spout, tape it, and hold the container up near the bottom of the bed and drain it into the diff. Just did mine that way last weekend. Once I raise it up there, I give it one squeeze, then poke a few holes in the bottom for entry of makeup air. Otherwise, it will not flow.

    I just use the clear so I can see when the hose is well drained. Black will work too.
     
  15. Jan 18, 2020 at 1:38 AM
    #15
    Wyoming09

    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    I like my pump that sits on a 5 gallon bucket .

    I guess I am spoiled using one for so long .

    Simple matter to switch to different weight gear lube
     
  16. Nov 5, 2023 at 8:47 AM
    #16
    AP tacoma

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    I have a 2004 Toyota Tacoma with v6 4wd in the manual it has sae 90 for the rear differential gl5 for California Bay Area. I am having problems finding the oil what are other people doing ?
    515647ee-2b45-477c-90d6-834709f6e228.jpg
     
  17. Nov 5, 2023 at 4:46 PM
    #17
    Potomus Pete

    Potomus Pete Love my little truck

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    All kinds 3 inch body lift/2 1/2 suspension lift. 31/11 1/2/15 tires All work done by myself for years. The only work performed by mechanic was fuel pumps. I also have a 90 Mustang 350 hp and I can never understand how come my Tacoma gets more respect Just got a 99 Jeep TJ that I rebuilt, and painted in the garage
    Walmart 80/90 Blue bottle cheap stuff.
     
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  18. Nov 5, 2023 at 4:53 PM
    #18
    joba27n

    joba27n YotaWerx Authorized tuner

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    75w-90 is basically the new (80w)90 gear oil. (80w)90 is harder to find nowadays and usually just conventional. You may not notice the difference unless it gets cold but 75w-90 synthetic will out protect, last longer and even give you a little fuel economy bump
     
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  19. Nov 6, 2023 at 8:53 AM
    #19
    semco-inc

    semco-inc Well-Known Member

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    I agree, remove fill plug first.

    The FSM or Owners manual will have the fill quantity and grade required. I just did my 1st Gen diff fluids and used Valvoline full synthetic 75W-90 in the soft squeeze packaging which is so easy to use for filling. I highly recommend the squeeze packs for ease of filling.

    Alternatively, you can buy a pump top that will fit a traditional quart bottle and pump with the quart bottle on the ground.

    Mike
     
  20. Nov 6, 2023 at 9:57 AM
    #20
    aficianado

    aficianado Well-Known Member

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    back to bone stock.
    not my favorite job to do. but it is easy. messy but easy.

    i use the handpump. it is cheap and it works fine. but it does work on the bigger bottles better. i buy 1 gallon and two loose quarts and i can do the transfer case, front and rear diffs. i pour the two quarts into the gallon jug when i get the chance. a tiny bit left which goes to the haz mat dump with the dirty stuff.

    like above. always remove the fill plug first. wear gloves, and make sure the truck is level. i put my fronts up on ramps and jack up the rear and put down big jackstands. i get it as level as possible. oh, buy a pump with a longer hose so you can get out from under the truck to do the pumping. i go until i get a drip. the nozzle has a barb that keeps it from popping out of the fill hole, but keep an eye on it and dont tug on the hose. i pull out a torque wrench to install plugs.
     
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