Rear diff breather mod

Is the rear diff breather mod really needed? Or is it one of those things ppl do just in case?

 

Define "needed"? If you regularly cross water, I would say it's absolutely necessary.

 

Ok that's really all I was looking for.

 

It is only needed if you plan on submerging your rear diff in water. If you dont plan on taking it through water and mud you should be good leaving it where it is now.

 

Like Jandrews said, its only needed if you plan on crossing water up to your axles, if its just small puddles don't even worry about it.

If you plan on offroading, you may as well just do it because chances are your going to cross some deeper water at some point in your travels.

 

for well under $20 i say do it anyway just incase

 

x2 and the mod is super easy

 

Yeah I have all the materials. I was just putting it off until I got my lift done so I didn't have to buy a new hose if its not long enough but I think I'll just do it. Thx guys

 

It's also a good mod for backing down boat ramps.

 

^What he said. Some lakes I have to drive completely in the water to get my tin can off the trailer. Peace of mind is worth the 20mins this takes.

 

so whats needed to do this mod?

 

Its a 2nd gen thing as far as I know.

 

its an ALL gen

 

It's under Mods & Tutorials at the top, 2nd gen how to's, diff breather mod for dummies.

 

Click on My Diff. Breather Mod. Pics link, below... I made it as easy as pie with photos and details...

For the OP, if you drive a HOT differential into water that is close to a foot or more deep, the water (usually muddy) can and will siphon into the differential oil by way of the AXLE SEALS.

The stock 'breather' is really only an exhaust valve to let hot gasses out of the diff. When you dip into cool water there is negative air pressue (a vacuum) inside the diff... and to break that vacuum, air or muddy water will try and get in, as it should.

The FRONT breather (4WD) has a proper 2 way breather (lets hot gasses out as well as cool air in to break the vacuum). That breather is located at the end of a rubber tube, high up, near the fuse box.

The mod. does the same thing for the REAR diff... We put the 2 way breather at the end of a tube, high up.... It is easy. See my pics...

 

Hello ross123,

Check this out:
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/111954-my-differential-breather-mod-photos.html

 

I'm new to Toyota's and Off-roading in general. Is this a issue limited to 3rd Gen owners or is this a modification that previous models have had as well. Just trying to understand why Toyota would have designed it this way. Anyone know?

 

all models have the breather sitting on the axle itself since the 1995 tacos and probably before that too, Im not sure if they have it extended on the 3rd gens but I don't think they do, not sure why they haven't fixed this yet if that is the case. Just look on your axle and if you see this thing, you should do the diff breather mod.

 

The problem is that thing is not really a breather but is a one-way, spring vent.
It will expel expanded gasses from inside the differential but will not let air in during a vacuum condition (caused when you drive into cool water when the diff is hot).

When there is a vacuum, air (or water) will try to get into the differential to cancel the vacuum. It will do this by passing through the axle seals.

A true breather, like what they put on the front differential, up high above a water crossing depth, will let air into the differential thus breaking the vacuum and stop the natural tendency for water to be drawn in through the axle.

 

Thanks for the information guys. I'll plan on doing the modification. Looks really simple and seems like it will save a lot of headache later.