Switching to Synthetic on Everything - Need input/help

Im switching to synthetic everything:
-Transmission Fluid
-Front/Rear Diff
-Transfer Case

Here is where Im starting (great link btw):

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/at...and-vs-competition-amsoil-recommendations.pdf

My question is this: How do I get the non synthetic fluid out? Draining it will still leave some still in the differentials/tranny/etc....

Im planning on jacking the truck up to insure it all drains out or even using a hand pump, but before I go through all of that, does it really even matter?

 

The synthetic and non are completely compatible. Mixing them will cause no issues, especially not with the small amount of residue left after draining.

What horror stories Chris?

 

Well I know of leaky seals, but thats about it. Its more of a discovery than cause and effect though.

How hard is it to replace seals?

 

Depends on the seal, but synthetic oils will not cause leaky seals. The only real downside to making the switch is the added expense, but in the grand scheme of things the expense is minor.

I switched everything to synthetic a few years ago and have had no issues.

 

Yes, as I said...

 

5k ago I switched to all synthetic and I gained ~4-5 mpg. I wouldn't worry about the remaining residue. It would take a lot of work to get the tiny bit of residue out and it doesn't make much difference if you leave it in there. Its enough of a PITA to change all the oils. The good thing is that all the drain plugs on the toyotas are at the lowest point so there is hardly any fluid left.

Sythetics make a huge difference. I had some slop in my drivetrain and it tightened that right up. Make sure you get full synthetic not synthetic blend. I used royal purple all around for the tcase front and rear diff.

You just drain it, and fill it until the fluid starts coming out the top. Pretty simple. I would recommend using a funnel with a long flexible stem. It was tough getting the oil cans inverted and into the funnel for the front diff.

 

I know when synthetics first hit big on the market, there was an issue with them. But with todays formulas and the fact that most people aren't trying to dump them into old worn out engine, they work great. I use to run full synthetic in my 08 Magum before it got wrecked and I loved the stuff. I will be doing the switch in my Tacoma when I get home....

 

i switched all my gear oil out to that redline synthetic shockproof gear oil, its awesome stuff, the only horror stories ive ever heard of is 20 bucks a quart

 

$20 huh.... Ouch.

 

$20 a quart does hurt. I went to Amsoil last year, $12 a quart for their Severe Gear 75/90

 

Yeah, Im going to look at some Amsoil products before I start this. Ill be underway all August and will probably have to wait till September to do the swap.

Anyone know some good online vendors where I can get this stuff for cheap?

 

If you are loking t Amsoil, just pay the $20 and become a preferred customer. You get a decent discount and it is easy to recoup the initial investment.

 

Most of it's already been said, but the recent migration of my entire drivetrain to Amsoil was completely uneventful. (I did NOT jack my truck up or use a hand-pump to drain the old oil.) The dino-oil remnants left when you drain shouldn't cause any problems.

Rather than a funnel, I sprang for a hand-pump to get the new oil in - it worked great. I haven't seen any significant mileage increase, but shifting (through the gears and in/out of 4WD) is noticeably smoother. Like jdmcq, I went with Severe Gear 75/90, which is API GL4/5 and MT-1 compatible.

Check out http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/154350-tranny-t-case-diff-fluids.html#post3341726 for a detailed list of the washers you'll need to do this right.

 

^ Awesome, thanks Steve.

 

good discussion...subbed!

 

What are the exact specs for quarts for the front and rear axles and the t case. I have heard that the automatic transmission actually holds like 14 quarts. I was looking at max atf by royal purple and 14 quarts is a car payment at advance. Right now you can get mobil 1 75/90 for like 8.99 for the full synth on advanceautoparts.com if you use the code RAF7JA1102 you can get 35 bucks off 85 on pretty much anything except motor oil. I was going to go ahead and get some things but i dont know how much to buy.

 

Let me know Chris if you want anything Amsoil, my dad is an associate dealer and gets a good discount as JDMCQ said and you wouldn't have to spend the $20 to join.

 

The link above mentions the capacities. Ill probably verify with the Toyota dealer before I go through with this.

Colton, that would be great. Im underway throughout most of Aug but Ill probably hit you up in September when Im planning this. Thanks!

 

It can't be 14 quarts. I used less than 6 quarts for front and rear diff and tcase. Royal purple is only $6 per quart. I can't imagine this other stuff is that much better that its worth $20.