Rear Diff. Fluid Change

I’ve been wanting to change out the rear differential fluid on my tacoma (2013 2WD Prerunner) for some time now, but after searching the internet for a couple weeks I can’t find much that would help.

I’m very far from being a mechanic, just a guy trying to swap out some taco sauce by myself. Owner’s manual says 75W-85 GL-5, but in terms of what specific fluid/how much fluid/LSD or not, I am basically clueless on what I need in terms of fluid.

 

Welcome, do your google search with tacoma in it and it will bring you back here with all the post.

 

Luckily there are many threads, I used this one to help guide me on my 2013 prerunner.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/changing-differential-fluid-a-step-by-step-how-to.24545/

Reaf diff is the easiest fluid change on the Tacoma IMO. I used 75-90 Mobil 1, no need for LSD additive for trucks 2009 and newer. Drain and fill until it slowly drips out the fill hole and then close it up.

 

Very easy to do... just make sure the fill plug will come off before removing drain plug.

 

https://www.redlineoil.com/motor-oil

I use Redline full synthetic oil in my differential and transmission, and have those on a 30K fluid change interval. Recommend entering your vehicle data into the "Find products for my vehicle" section in the above weblink. It will tell you what weight oil and how much you need to buy. You can then purchase it from a local shop or through Amazon. You'll need a hand pump to pump the oil from the bottle into the differential, and you can buy one of those from any auto parts store.

If you've never changed it before, I highly recommend you remove the "fill plug" before you remove the drain plug. That way if the fill plug has seized, you won be stuck with no oil in your differential and no way to refill it.

 

im a big fan REDLINE products
they have several weights

buy what U need
if everyday transport ( work , mall , home ) U need not get the heavy duty stuff

good luck

 

The importance of this cannot be overstated, make sure this is step #1!

 

Just changed mine and I am using Supertech

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

75w-90 synthetic

 

Lots of great information here and on line.....here is a video to watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNWzQ2MbcX0

 

Just changed mine at 30,000. I used Valvoline 75-90 synthetic. I got new crush washers too. I drained a little less than 3 qts. I put in a hair more than 3 qts but not till it over flowed but abut an 1/8 inch below the threads. I read somewhere that the level should be 5 mm below coming out the hole. Anyway that level will just fine. There was some shavings on the drain plug magnet. The oil looked fairly clean. This seems a bit early to do this but did it anyway. I won’t do it again till I put an additional 50 or 60,000 on the truck. All other vehicles I’ve owned I always did it 100,000 miles. Oh, I kept the old crush washer on the fill plug and drove it a few miles and checked the level and then I used the new crush washer on the fill plug.

 

Good to hear I'm not the only one that hasn't gotten around to changing their fluids until 100k miles. So far, minimal sparklies and sludge in all the fluids I've changed.

 

I think the trucks that need more frequent diff oil changes are the 05-08 Tacomas with the "clutch type" LSD. Toyota recommends those fluid changes every 30K miles.

 

I used to use Redline stuff, now I use the Valvoline 75w-90 synthetic squeeze bags, it makes it very easy:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/329480316?sid=755b41d3-7617-497c-bc59-0b067d42c911

 

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

75w-90 will be fine.
You have an open differential.
The open differential trucks aren’t picky.
Pick one, pour it in.

 

Meh, diff oil is good for at least 3-400k.