Changed my T-case oil, and glad I did

I can't speak for ravenol, but the amsoil

$28 75w-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

75w-90 severe gear oil worked well in my gen1 tundra...changed it in the differentials every 30k miles.
Imo, changing the motor oil at 5k miles is way too soon when using todays synthetics. They have additives that will double that and still be good. Their not like your grandpa's old dino oil anymore.

 

The T-case drain plug doesn't have a magnet because there's an oil pump inside with filter screen on the pickup inlet.

 

Thanks for your post @brian2sun, it came at the perfect time for me.

I’m coming up on 30K miles and will be going on a 5-6K mile trip shortly after my 30K service interval. I’ve been debating doing the diffs before or after the trip, but after reading your post I will definitely be doing them before.

 

I changed out the gear oils for the first time at 15,000 and 11 years later at 32,000. Same for the automatic trans fluid. The engine oil gets changed out every 1,000 (about every 6 months.)

 

What could you recommend for the t case

 

I changed the diff and transfer case oil at 170,000. I'm at 233,000 now and will probably do it again at 300,000. The AT fluid came from the factory. I'll replace it when I have the transmission replaced in 10 years or so.

 

I've changed at least 50 Tacoma diff oils and the front diff is always darker than the rest in my experience. Not sure why but just wanted you to know you're not the only one.

I'm also on the 30k or sooner intervals. The diff fluids look terrible on some of the trucks I work on.

 

My front diff oil was also darker than the rear diff and t-case.

 

Your post could imply you will use the Redline MT-LV in all four of your gear oil units. Just so no one does so, the Redline MT-LV is only for the transfer case. Redline has other products for the differentials and the Manual transmission that meet (so they say) Toyota specs.

 

It's on my to do list along with fresh radiator hoses, coolant and a new serpentine belt. I've only got 18k miles, but after 6+ years might as well.

 

Not quite sure what work you are asking for so I’ll wing it.

The DIY approximate cost for each are as follows.

engine oil and filter [$40]
Front and rear differentials [6 qts ~ $110]
Transfer case [1 qt ~ $20]
Transmission [4 qts ~ $60]

at a shop rate of $100 the labor should be about…
engine oil and filter [$25]
Front and rear differentials [$50]
Transfer case [$25]
Transmission [$50]

 

Good to know

 

DIY or finding a reasonable mechanic is the way to go. A couple of my customers were quoted $500+ for the dealer to change fluid on diffs + T case.

 

Try to get in touch with Johnny @Puppypunter — he made a harness for another user who decided to switch to Halogens.

Edit: geez I just noticed that this reply is in the wrong thread!

 

Beware of the stealership gear oil changes. Had them do it the first time to break open the factory tight plugs. Should have taken around 7qts total for rear/front diff and transfer case. Got charged for 11 qts... all service manager had to say was well, sometimes they take more.

 

Yea I got a shop around the corner they only work on Toyota's - been there for 2 oil changes chew the fat with the folks there - good people,
good work, reasonable price... I trust they know what they're doing. Same with my wife's Subaru - I only bring it to a dude who lives and
breathes Subaru - good work at a reasonable price... and the same crew has been at this shop for 6 years now which is a good sign.

Living in a huge metro area these types of services are priceless. I always tip the 'service-dude(s)' who actually work on my car - and I know next
time I come in they are lining up to work on 'that-vehicle' and they do a good job. You'd be surprised how a little fat-chewing and a $10.00 bill will go
with these folks. Same with anyone who comes to the house, plumber dudes etc - I always tip these guys too and man do they appreciate it.

 

Uh-oh. Too late. Now I've got to drain 3 of my 'gear oil units' and put the right stuff in. Sh*t!!

 

What do you all think of this kit. I checked and the fluid weights are correct based on what Toyota calls for the Tacoma as well as the gear oil being GL-5. I purchased my Tacoma last year it had 35,000 miles now it’s at 40,000 and I want to change out the differential fluid in the front and rear as well as the transfer case fluid.

https://www.blauparts.com/toyota-ta...ENDTcljEnqne50A5Mbnh348zjexzjz1RoCicoQAvD_BwE

 

Yeah but thats gamblers logic. People may get pissed off at Toyota and they may never buy another one .

 

True, but it seems that’s how pretty much all car makers are these days. I hope Toyota avoids that mindset as time goes on, but no matter how many Fords and Chevys shit the bed at 70K, people still seem keep coming back to them for whatever reason. I think the big 3 know their customers have pretty low expectations so they don’t even try to make more reliable vehicles. I think Toyota still prides itself as the leader in reliability, and they know that’s why most people buy a Toyota, but things can change over time. I hope Toyota’s bean counters don’t find a financial “sweet spot” where they literally start to design the vehicles to die around a certain mileage so more people will buy a new one after 10 years, or 12 or whatever it may be.

It seems like that would be stupid for Toyota to do because it would eventually kill their reputation for reliability, but being too reliable in this single serving, disposable world we live in could be bad for them too (from a business profit standpoint). I’ll give you an example… Sorel snow boots. They used to be made in Canada and were the best boots money could buy for many decades. In fact they were so good they realized after a while that they were only selling an average of one pair of boots to each customer, while other companies were selling a pair of boots to the same customer every few years. True story… I got a pair of Sorels for Christmas when I was a freshman in high school. I have worn that same pair of boots every single winter since that Christmas in 1991 and the only thing I’ve ever done was replace the shoestrings… I’m 45 years old now. I am not a repeat customer because their boots used to be made so damn good.

Eventually Sorel went out of business and was bought out by some Chinese manufaturer where they now make Sorels to last 2 or 3 years before falling apart and probably sell 10xs more boots than Sorel Canada ever did. I’m sure most people think, “Hey I got 3 years out of these things, so that’s not too bad, I’ll but another pair.”. And I’m over here wearing my 30 year old Caribou hide Canadian Sorels instead of some Chinese ones made of pleather.