My Differential Breather Mod Photos

I've got a tractor supply and lowes lol. I just used the tube I bought its not as thin as I thought. it would take alot to tear it. And its tucked under there

 

It is a very easy mod and very cheap, too! Keeping muddy water out of the differential is essential for long life.

A reminder: This mod does to the rear differential what Toyota already does for the front. The question is why does the factory only do it on the front when you will get both axles and differentials underwater in a water crossing of 18" deep? Having the same model breather used on the front added to the rear, and placed up high above a water crossing level will prevent a vacuum that would otherwise suck muddy water into the differential past axle seals.

The vacuum is created when a hot diff. is dipped into cool water. The factory rear breather is actually not a 'breather', but an exhaust valve to allow hot gasses to escape, but does not let any air back into the diff. to balance the pressure. Nature hates a vacuum!

 

Subscribed. Useful mod.

 

This is why I love this forum...

I bought my truck about 3 months ago. I took it out trail riding and crossed several muddy streams up to the bumpers.

I am going to do this mod, but ...do you think I should change the diff fluid? How would I know if it was contaminated?

 

The gear oil will look milky. Don't hesitate to change it. I put 75-140 Mobil 1 in it thanks to Speeed Freeek in Vista.

 

Always remove the top fill bolt before you drain the oil from the bottom bolt.

 

Thanks

 

Gabe 911 - Whats the switch for?

 

Guess the stock breather on my rear diff is only 1 way valve so I followed the OP's advice and switched it out for a 2 way with longer hose. Its suppose to help preserve the seals

 

pretty sure he's asking about the switch on the left side of the cubby...

 

LOL... sorry ...The switch is for my bed lights I put in the smaller pocket cubby holes closer to the cab. pics should be in my sig

 

subd

 

Well, it prevents a vacuum from developing inside the differential so muddy water doesn't get sucked in when you cross a stream deeper than 18". This is the setup that Toyota does on the front differential, but failed to on the rear. It is the perhaps the easiest mod in the world and maybe the most important one any off roading Tacoma should have!

 

It wouldn't hurt for them all to be that way...even the 5 luggers. People drive thru water deeper than 18" in the streets when it floods, lol.....or try to.

 

Agreed! Other truck companies have extended breathers on the rear diff... why not Toyota? Thanks for extending the front differential up high, at least... half is better than none?!

 

Is the rear breather even necessary? I've dunked the rear a few times recently and just changed the fluids and they looked fine.....could just regularly changing it be fine if I got into some dirty shit?

Im just lazy and haven't found the need for the breather yet??

 

What the Tacoma has on the rear differential (from the factory) is an exhaust valve that opens to relieve high pressure, although we all call it a 'breather'.

By changing the exhaust valve to a true breather (the same kind Toyota puts on our front differential) you reduce the chance of mud contaminating the gears. The muddy water gets in past the axle seals because a vacuum is created when you quickly go from being hot to cold when you drive into a stream.

It happened to my 6 month old Tacoma the first time I drove into a muddy creek... and had it's gear oil inspected after we got back from Baja. It was milky (water contaminated)... so changed the oil, right then.

Next, I performed the mod, as shown in my photos on the first page of this thread, using the Toyota parts shown (breather and union) with the tube to place the breather up high in one of the bed compartments.

Now, anytime I quickly cool the differential by driving into water, it can breath to break the vacuum and not suck in any mud or water. It also allows venting if over pressurized gas from the gear oil (just as the stock one did).

That was almost 3 years ago, and haven't had an issue since!

IF the factory does this kind of breather on the front differential, doesn't it make sense to do it on the rear??? YES!

 

Makes sense....thanks!

 

De nada!

 

I ordered the parts this afternoon. I will get them after work, I just have to pick up the fuel line. Has anyone used the extra fuel line for the oil filter drain