Changing differential fluid - A step by step "HOW TO"

right on!

 

oh, and I was at 15.6mpg's.

 

Pic of front diff, drain and fill plugs.

 

Thanks for the write up guys. The Taco is my first truck and I did not know I had to change the diff fluid. It took me awhile to figure out I only had to change the rear. I have a prerunner so no worries about the front and trancase.

I used RP gear oil and the Taco feels like it rolls smoother from a stop.

I have 36,100 miles on my Taco and the diff fluid did not look that dirty. The hardest part was removing the plugs. I had to used a pipe wrench to hit my ratchet to loosening the plugs.

I left my drain pan inside the garage yesterday and this morning the garage stunk like diff fluid. I won't be doing that again.

Thanks again guys.

 

My rear fluid looked brand new to the point where I wasn't sure if I should change the front but I did anyway and damn thank god I did. The front was a dark grey and had some water in it. Haven't done the T-case yet because they didn't have enough oil for it. I could do the rear diff. and either the front diff or Tcase.

 

Now I am confused. I saw it somewhere in this thread that the TRD Off Road did not come with a limited slip diferential. I got my window sticker out and mine says that I have an auto lsd. I also have the option of locking it via a button in the cab when needed. I thought they all came with the lsd? Do I need the additive ( I believe that I do)? I am nowhere near 15K yet, just curious. Thanks.

 

My advice would be to go look at your rear diff and on it it will say LSD if this is so you will need the additive. But seeing you have the locker you shouldn't need the additive.

 

Thank you. I actually looked at your photos again and clearly saw the sticker. I climbed under mine and it did not have one.

I noticed in my manual that the 09 calls for 75W85 in the front and rear difs, but 75w90 in the transfer case. Anybody just running the 90 in all three? It would simplify things as I only saw the 90 at the parts store.
Would something this trivial void my waranty? (probably know the answer to that one).

 

ok so I've been reading through this and since I'm approaching 30K I'm wondering if I need to do anything different since I have an automatic reg cab. No 4x4 or anything crazy. Do I need the same fluid and process to change it?


Also, I live on a dirt road and I was wondering if anyone had done a write up on maintaing your suspension. I would like to know what I need to grease and tighten or check. Also, do I need to grease my drive shaft and if so can anyone recommend how to do this. I don't know a lot about maintaining my vehicle other than chaning oil and plugs.

 

so if u never done it dont?? i got mine at 52k and i have 95k on it now

 

When you change your oil are you going with synthetic?

Royal Purple dosnt even make 75W85 gear oil so it looks like im going with either the 75W90 or a different brand.

 

Yes, Mobil 1.

 

I saw one post about this, but no follow-up: has anyone used Redline MT-90 in these trucks and if so, what were the results? It's a GL4, 75W90. I put it in my MR2 Spyder's tranny, and I'm very impressed with it; however, my Spyder doesn't have a LSD.

I don't have any personal experience with Royal Purple products, but I've heard some bad things about them. Shear was the most consistent complaint about their products.

 

I have a trd offroad that does not need the additive, Is the redline oil listed below the correct one or should I get the 75W90 above it?

http://www.redlineoil.com/products_gearlubricants.asp?productID=38&subCategoryID=15&categoryID=6

 

Thanks, did you ever try RP? Ive narrowed it down between either redline or RP but I cant decide.

 

hmm, decisions decisions.

I'd like to try RP my next fluid change. Maybe I'll let Chris be the guinnea pig.