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

Good info. Thanks Chris.

 

Now you can begin to refill your differential! You should add your LSD additive sometime between your first and second quart of gear oil.

If I have a 2WD PreRunner do I still need to add this additive?

When filling, the oil will begin to run out at some point. Put the plug in the fill hole, and let the gear oil run down into the lenght of the axle shaft. After a few minutes, remove the plug and begin to fill again.

What is the quantity of oil that it call for to put in?

 

Was your truck on level ground?

If you were parked with the nose pointing downhill - your essentially over filling it.

 

Did you take into account the amount left in each quart. I use a pump and have about a quarter quart left in each jug so there for it wilm take 4 quarts to get 3.12qt's.

 

FOR Mechanical LSD only
It's been several days....but I had to add 1/2 bottle of friction modifier to prevent the diff from rumbling for a total of 1.5 bottles.

Even though Mobile 1 says they put friction modifier in the

$30 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

75W-90....it's not much - if any at all.

 

Is adding the friction modifier typical? I am about to change mine, so should I just add the fric modifier to the bottles as I am filling up the diff?

 

I'm pretty certain...you do not have a mechanical LSD. I think they stopped after 2008 model year.

The only time you need friction modifier is if you have the mechanical LSD.

 

Mobile 1 says LS compatible, not that it has friction modifier in it. You still have to add modifier to it. 2009 and up do not require LSD additive.

 

Some of the bottles actually say "Friction Modifier Included".

When I tried to get bottles without the 'Friction Modifier Included' - the sales guy tells me... "It's all the same part number".

 

Ah, thanks for the clarification. Almost had a wrench thrown in my plans.

So LSD Additive = friction modifier?

 

I wouldn't assume anything - it depends on the manufacturer. 'Additive' can mean many things to different people/companies.

You can still use the LS oils (with or without the friction modifier) in your Open or Locked (non mechanical LSD) differentials.

 

You don't have the mechanical LSD so no need for the friction modifier/LSD additive. None of the TRD Off Roads have a mechanical LSD.

 

FYI, I was just at the stealership to get the gaskets and LSD additive and they said that Toyota recommends their additive or the GM one. Here is what I picked up:

 

Nice write-up, makes me feel confident enough to do this myself when I change my oil in 800 miles.

Just to be clear, I have a 2008 TRD OR, so I'm guessing I need the LSD additive, right? And is there only one type of gear oil? For example, synthetic vs non-synthetic?

 

No you dont need LSD additive, you have a locker and i would use Mobil 1 synthetic in 75-90. May as well do front diff and transfer case also, they are just like the rear. Same concept.

 

"(for you guy like me w/ the Sport model, you'll need a 4oz. tube of LSD additive)." from the very first post in the thread. ONly the sport's need the additive.

 

^^^^^WUT!^^^^^ If you have a OR with a locker you do not need LSD additive. Thats some complicated shit you just wrote right there!