Rookie Needs Help! (First time Mods & Maintenance)

I think there was a mod day last month at @BYJOSHCOOK 's house....

 

What items did you get done this weekend?

Also, I'm sure you know this already, but just to make sure that it is stated....the leaf with the "+" should go on the driver side. The one with the "0" should be on the passenger side.

 

Engine Oil Change
Engine Air Filter
Knurled Black Aluminum Radio Knobs

Also had time to trim my crape myrtles and pickup some last minute supplies/tools for the other stuff. Got Mobil 1 gear oil for $8 a quart!

 

Thanks buddy, I had read about that somewhere but that confirms it...

 

It was a few months ago, but I'd be down for another one. Just gotta have enough notice so I can make sure I'm home that weekend

 

I'm assuming that you are pretty much doing your 30k service. Go ahead and plan to change the gear oil in the front diff and xfer case. Especially at $8 a quart for the Mobil1. It's cheap insurance. Just go pick up one of those hand pumps from your local auto parts store. I HATE pumping the oil in, but it beats most alternatives.

This is by far the best method, IMHO. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rear-diff-vent-behind-the-tail-light-mod.286097/

No cutting or drilling anything on your truck. 100% reversible and gets the breather in a higher and equally dry location as any of the other options.

If you find someone to help with angles, let me know. I haven't decided that I need to dedicate the time to this, but would like to do it.

 

Depending on what jack you have, I've taken the handle off and slid it over my ratchet before and it became my breaker bar.

 

Yeah I couldn’t pass up the deal on a 25” HF bar... got it on Saturday. Ready to break some bolts! Haha

 

If you want to adjust the suspension this weekend, I'll be down to help. I need to do mine as well and it might be cool to have a second set of hands + the tool. Your garage or mine doesn't matter to me.

 

Yeah buddy!

My OP has the dates/times I’m available this weekend. (Sorry to be so strict on times.)
When works for you?
Cool if we meet at my place?

 

I may have to check the dates/times. I didn’t see that in the OP

 

Bump to the crew...
Whatcha got going on Saturday?

 

Hey bud, friendly reminder about maybe doing the front suspension adjustment?
I’m open for a few hours tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon.
Otherwise we’ll try another weekend in the OP.

 

Got the rear diff oil done today.
Man it looked nasty!

 

Nice work! I remember feeling like I was never going to get the magnet fully clean on that first change. It gets better from there. Process on the front diff and xfer case isn't much different, but you'll need a different socket to get the drain/fill plugs out. I don't recall the size or type, but it is listed in the how-to on here.

 

Yeah it was really stuck on there so I lightly brushed the magnet with some dawn and a copper brush.

The oil was quite milky and a pretty decent amount of that black silt was still all in it. No telling if it ever got done at 5k mi. I might do it again in the next 5-10k miles to make sure it’s nice and flushed. Esp since it doesn’t drain 100% of the oil.

And I later found out I made a classic rookie mistake by opening the drain plug before the fill plug. Thank god I got it open tho.

I wonder if my breather is faulty cuz when I initially opened the drain plug (with fill plug closed) it sounded like it was sucking in air. Maybe, maybe not. I’m planning to do the breather mod in the next couple weeks anyways.

I’m kinda nervous about doing the front and TC. Same oil works in both for 3rd Gen AT 4wd? I’ve been reading mixed opinions.

 

I also updated the OP if anyone wants to make plans for this weekend or next...
My new leaf packs are begging to get installed!

 

While it isn't overly expensive, it isn't cheap either. I'd wait the 30k before changing it again. No need to flush it out. I put the same gear oil in the xfer case and both diffs in my sister's 3rd gen. However, here's the manual:https://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/om-s/OM04013U/pdf/OM04013U.pdf


TL;DR: use the same fluid in all 3.


Page 576:


Page 578:


This got me curious and I wanted to make sure that I didn't do something wrong in my sister's 3rd gen. So I googled both "SAE 75W" and "SAE 75W vs 75w-90." The first result showed mostly products that are 75w-90 and the second search was full of results of people comparing 75w-90 to other viscosities.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is that the first number (75W) is the weight when the fluid is cold. The second number is what it equates to when it is hot. So a 75w-90 will be 75 weight when it is cold, and 90 weight when it is hot. Also, according to someone on Bobistheoilguy.com (https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/3866664/75W_transmission_oil) "Yes 75W is only half the spec., and covers cold temp operation. The other half of the viscosity spec would depend on where you operate the vehicle, in other words the normal ambient peak temps. A 75W-90 could offer better gear and bearing protection in places where it is extrememly hot vs a 70W-80 fluid, which might be better suited for places like Scandinavia."

 

Dude you are the MAN!
Thanks for the detail and more importantly the reassurance.
I owe you a beer or three