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

subd about to hit 60K and no clue if it was previously done

 

Did you read the first post in the thread?? You ONLY need the additive if you have a Sport with the decal on the diff

"NOTE: 2009 and newer trucks do NOT need LS Diff addative, or TRD Off Road trucks with the factory locker.

Yesterday we (Chris4x4, and I) got together to help you all change your diff fluid.

Here is what is required;

-24mm socket (1st gen diff may be a different size)
-ratchet
-rags/shop towels
-milk jug or coffe can... EMPTY ofcourse!
-3 qts 75-90 weight gear oil ( I used 80-90 becasue it was readily available)


(for you guy like me w/ the Sport model, you'll need a 4oz. tube of LSD additive)."

 

Mine is NOT 2009 and newer, so I assumed I needed the additive!

 

Only if it's a sport model and you have the sticker on the diff. Otherwise not needed.

 

I'm not saying you are wrong, but I don't see that from the first post of this thread. I got under and took a picture and there are 2 stickers on mine, but it's not a sport..

 

He has a sport model and he has the sticker on the diff

Post a pic of your truck. What color is your front grill? mirrors? back bumper? are they color matched? do you have the outlet in the bed? Maybe it's a sport with the decals taken off the bed sides? it's happened before Or the diff has been replaced.

 

It's not a Sport. I bought it new. And mirrors are black, chrome bumper, no outlet in bed.

 

Because he's watching you through your side window, over the wall, in the bushes.

 

I've done both the snaked tube method and the pump method.

The pump I bought is cheap and less hassle. By the time you snake all the tubing and connect it all up, you might as well just screw on the pump (I had to use duct tape for a tight seal) and pump.

It took about 2 or 3 minutes. I then soaked the pump overnight in soapy water, and it is ready to use again.

$8 Lubrimatic 55-001 4CC Fluid Pump for Quart Size Bottles

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BQW5LK/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

I just changed it on my 05 non-TRD Sr5, and it has the LS option. Thanks for the write-up.

 

Thanks Chris.... didn't know that. Maybe update the first post

 

Thanks so much for the tutorial and everyone else for sharing their advice because I was a little hesitant, but did this last night and had no problem. I had to buy the 24mm socket and breaker bar, but neither plug gave me any trouble. It definitely looked like it needed changed. So there is now one more thing I know how to do to my truck!

 

Well...the dealership is supposed to "inspect" the diff oil at 15,000 miles. My truck is there and they better do what I paid for. Will be checking for wrenching marks on the plug when I go to pick it up! I don't trust these stealerships for nothing.

 

Not for nutt'n but Y wood U pay the stealership 2 inspect the diff - just DYI and change it on your own schedule & save $$$ plus U will know it's done and done right !

 

this will explain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LewxaVYNiRk

 

Thanks for the awesome write up! I was a little intimidated having never done this before but the step by step gave me the courage to try. I have an 08 2.7L with 105K miles on it and I doubt this service has ever been performed on the truck.

All jobs are remarkably easier with the proper tools and in my case I do not have jack stands or a breaker bar - both would have been very useful for this service. So, laying on my back with very little room to work and a 3/8 ratchet made it extremely difficult to remove the fill plug. I hit it with some PB Blaster and let it sit overnight, hit it with a hammer a few hundred times and tried with all my might to get that sucker off until I was about to give up. Then, while laying in my bed this morning and brainstorming about my predicament I came up with a solution that others may find useful. I placed the ratchet on the drain plug and angled it downward at a 45 degree angle and held it to the plug with the sole of my boot. I then slid the cup of my hydraulic jack under the ratchet and jacked it up.....Ta Da!!! Bolt came loose and I celebrated in amazement.

The oil that came out of that thing was absolutely disgusting: Dark brown, very cloudy and very thick (sludge). So glad I did this and I hope no major damage was done by waiting so long. I didn't see any metal in the oil though. Thanks again for the instructions guys. This forum rocks!

 

You might want to double check your seals for leakage and consider putting in a diff breather mod if you put the back wheels in water sometimes.

 

Gonna change my fluids sometime this week when it gets delivered. Can't wait to see how bad it is. Don't know if it was ever changed. Bought the truck at 100k. One prior owner, but I put on almost 20k in two years.