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Has anyone upgraded their differential breather for water crossings

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by backcountryagenda, Jul 2, 2025 at 8:47 PM.

  1. Jul 2, 2025 at 8:47 PM
    #1
    backcountryagenda

    backcountryagenda [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Im just wondering if I need to. I have a 23 trd or
     
  2. Jul 2, 2025 at 9:14 PM
    #2
    TacoManOne

    TacoManOne YotaWerx Authorized Tuner

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  3. Jul 2, 2025 at 9:15 PM
    #3
    OnHartung'sRoad

    OnHartung'sRoad -So glad I didn't take the other...

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    All these truck diffs are the same with a similar rear differential breather. Are you planning to do deep crossings? If so, the other diff, transfer case and transmission have breathers also. Then there’s the transfer case solenoid to worry about also- although rare for most, some flood and the internal parts corrode, leading to 4wd engagement failures.
     
  4. Jul 2, 2025 at 9:15 PM
    #4
    Toycoma2021

    Toycoma2021 Well-Known Member

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    Of course, you need to and there are plenty of threads detailing the options and procedures, but I am worthless in searching. The thing I most remember about doing my own is the threaded connection to the diff is some strange thread, not metric and not SAE. Had to tap it out to, in my case 1/4" pipe thread. Put some grease on the tap to keep the cuttings from entering the diff.

    I am making a presumption you are referencing the rear diff, since you don't say.
     
    Last edited: Jul 2, 2025 at 10:39 PM
  5. Jul 2, 2025 at 10:06 PM
    #5
    BLtheP

    BLtheP Constantly Tinkering Member

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    I honestly don’t see why anybody thinks they need to relocate the rear diff breather due to water crossing. Seems like plenty of people have dunked their diffs and upon checking the oil, had no water inside at all. It would be a major oversight to put the breather straight on the axle tube like that if it meant you were going to ingest water into the diff at only 16 or so inches deep in stock form.

    The stock breather also mostly breathes out, and extremely slowly breathes back in. So it isn’t really sucking in water regardless.
     
  6. Jul 2, 2025 at 10:09 PM
    #6
    Mach

    Mach Well-Known Member

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    Plenty of people have had their rear diff ingest water from shallow water crossings. Relocating the breather and swapping it for a 2 way breather is an easy and cheap way to avoid it.
     
    realsystem and Toy_Runner like this.
  7. Jul 2, 2025 at 10:14 PM
    #7
    BLtheP

    BLtheP Constantly Tinkering Member

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    Not saying it hasn’t happened, but I have yet to see anyone actually report that they have found water. Contrarily, I’ve seen plenty say they were worried about it and then found no water at all. I have no idea why some would ingest water and others wouldn’t….that seems inconsistent and unlikely.
     
  8. Jul 3, 2025 at 6:48 AM
    #8
    backcountryagenda

    backcountryagenda [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Doing a overland drive in a few well. The deepest crossing is 18 inch which is over the diff breather but everything else should be safe. Though are good thinks to keep in mind if I go deeper. Thanks for letting me know
     
  9. Jul 3, 2025 at 6:58 AM
    #9
    Smacky2020

    Smacky2020 Well-Known Member

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    Stock wheels and suspension. Random "utilitarian" mods featured on this great forum.
    Need to? Probably not but it won't hurt anything if you do. This way you'll never need to worry if/when you cross water or whether your one-way is still working. I did my rear diff breather when I got the truck 37mi ago and haven't looked back.
     
  10. Jul 3, 2025 at 7:07 AM
    #10
    Willy Lump Lump

    Willy Lump Lump Well-Known Member

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    This and that
    18”? Talk about beta. What if the day you go it’s closer to 18.56”? Or what if it’s 17.17”? Real world is so much different than computer screens and parking spots. I would just send it.
     
    theesotericone likes this.
  11. Jul 3, 2025 at 7:09 AM
    #11
    Buck Henry

    Buck Henry Well-Known Member

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    I read somewhere that your rear pumpkin breather tube extension should sit exactly at the same height as the intake snorkel to prevent a CO2 weight imbalance
     
    MagicToolbox likes this.
  12. Jul 3, 2025 at 7:11 AM
    #12
    theesotericone

    theesotericone Well-Known Member

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    Haven't you heard the new motto? No Beta, No Send.
     
  13. Jul 3, 2025 at 7:14 AM
    #13
    backcountryagenda

    backcountryagenda [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Because the other breathers are much higher thann that. 30 inches or more. I won't be doing any crossings that deep. My truck is stock other than the tires. I'll just change the diff breather
     
    Last edited: Jul 3, 2025 at 7:27 AM
  14. Jul 3, 2025 at 10:50 AM
    #14
    Mach

    Mach Well-Known Member

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    Water can actually get sucked in the axle seals if you go in water with a hot diff so anything near center wheel becomes a danger. A hot diff quickly cooling with the 1 way breather creates a vacuum in the diff. This is why people swap it for a 2 way breather.

    Temp differential and age of the vehicle are factors but if you search the forum you will find cases of even relatively new vehicles getting water in their rear diff.

    The other breathers mainly seems to have issues when the hose gets pulled loose or damaged. More likely after a large lift that messes with front diff location.
     
  15. Jul 3, 2025 at 10:57 AM
    #15
    backcountryagenda

    backcountryagenda [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I ordered an arb 2 way so I should be good. I don't have a lift. Just stock with good at tires
     
  16. Jul 3, 2025 at 11:00 AM
    #16
    tonered

    tonered bartheloni

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    Yep. Great thing to do.
     
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  17. Jul 3, 2025 at 12:47 PM
    #17
    OnHartung'sRoad

    OnHartung'sRoad -So glad I didn't take the other...

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    If I get a snorkel for the truck for deep water crossings with it intake as high as the top of the windshield, shouldn’t I get one for me and my wife also, especially since we don’t have a sunroof opening?:bananadance:
     

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