Differential Fluid Adventures

Tacoma Drivers

2011 DC TRD OR
20-30% off roading

Spent several days reading through the TW threads concerning the "How To" procedures for selecting the correct differential fluid and changing the fluid. Got the correct gear oil, now to the change process.

Realizing I was behind the power curve for changing the fluid (79,000) I was really concerned what was gonna drain out. Following the suggestions in the TW threads, I remover the spare tire and loosened and removed the differential fill bolt. Inspected the existing fluid and was very surprised to find the existing fluid was very light amber in color, just about identical to what I had to replace it. I realized fluids break down with time and I should continue with the change, but was wondering if this is an abnormal/unusual situation?

Thanks
Bob

 

I'm wondering if your truck was filled at the factory with that mega-bucks Toyota-branded differential gear oil. Some of that stuff is something like $35-$?? a qt. I do not recall the part number(s) off hand. I believe one is for limited-slip diffs and otherwise.

 

Yes still change the oil. You're already that far in.

 

No reason to change this every 30k miles unless you just got new gears or drive through deep water a lot. My dad went over 300k miles without changing the gear oil in his diffs

 

Thanks for the replies.

 

I changed the front on mine at 50k and it was pretty nasty. Also changed transfer case which I will never do again. No sense for how much I use 4wd compared to 2wd.