Because We're Not North Enough To Be NOVA, We're Just Stuck Between the North and the True South

I'm curious as to why you feel you "need" something? You have yet to wheel the truck to see its full potential or even to try and test out the auto lsd that yours has. Sure it's fun to throw thousands of dollars at vehicles and display how shiny your stuff is at the local meet in a parking lot. But doing that and never getting out beforehand to see what it can do without just means you are going to have a lot of stuff on a truck that you don't know what it does or perhaps how to use it or you are going to be another one of those that thinks they need to engage both lockers and pull cable as soon as you leave the pavement.

I know this statement reaffirms my "dick" or "asshole" status, but honestly there are way too many sheep around trying to convince others that they are mountain goats. I would just rather not see those I have personally helped with their truck advertise sheep status.

 

I openly admit and have admitted I have alot to learn, about my vehicle, about off roading, about field repairs, shit about alot of things. I have not had it off road but a couple of times and that only in relatively mild situations which is my fault because you are well aware of how healthy I've been over the last year or so but I've tried to get out and do what I can. I've gotten down in the dirt with pretty much 1 f'n arm and tried to be helpful and learn shit as I go. As I don't have money to just throw at this thing I've had to do what I can, the best I can, and try to build a "functional" vehile. For what it's worth I've already learned some of it's short comings traction wise just trying to climb a little rock and being stopped as the drive wheels were off the ground. Perhaps I just need to learn my vehicle better, perhaps I'm just ignorant to the whole thing, or perhaps I'm doing the best I can with what I've got. I would probably have been better off leaving it as a mall cawler and saving the money and put it into a big stereo or something instead of all this stuff Idk how to use but I didn't, I wanted to take on a challenge oh well guess I f'd that up to. Most of the things I think I'd like to do will never get done as I have other things that require the money. I'll just make myself content driving around with my "crappy Bilstein suspension" hauling potting soil and the trash to the dump but I guess I'll feel competent to drive around the yard to hook up to my trailer with out getting stuck.

 

So much butt hurt from one individual who I have tried to assist more than anyone else on this forum in the 9 years I've been a member.

You sir are shining in the definition of "askhole" I have stayed up late and woke up early countless times to answer your every question, even if that meant answering the same questions 10 to 15 times. I can see that my "brash ways" and attitude is not welcomed in this thread either do I will try not to disrupt it any more than I have and merely quietly show myself to the door. The best of luck to you and others on your future endeavors.

 

Play nice, boys.

 

Sounds good. I will be in Harrisonburg, VA from June 21-24 and plan to check out as many trails out there as I can like Flagpole and Peters Run

 

hey everyone, according to the manual I need to change my rear diff fluid, and I've never done this before. I just did an oil change Monday with my son (that was fun to do with him btw), and not sure if it's just as straight forward or if I should take it to a shop. My first call to Merchant's quoted me $90 before tax.

 

Just as straight forward. Probably more so. Drain and fill, no filter to mess with.

 

Remove top plug first. Then drain threw bottom plug. Make sure axle is level. Put bottom plug back in and fill until it will take no more. Put top plug back in and tighten to spec. Real easy.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/24545-changing-differential-fluid-step-step-how.html

 

Yup. As @Fish12South and @VA SOFTACO said it's super easy. Pick Up a couple of new crush washers for the plugs from the dealership.

 

Thanks, I actually found this after I posted my initial question. Thanks for pointing out about the axle being level, as my driveway slopes a bit and would probably not make filling it easy.

One thing I cannot find is HOW MUCH I need to buy. The guy in this post has three bottles next to him, but not sure if they are like one size or different.

Next thing...some of the other posts have said anything past 2008 does NOT need the LSD additive, but the guy in the write-up has a 2010, and is using the additive??

 

what are crush washers? I didn't see that anywhere, unless you are messing with me?

 

Check your owners manual. I buy 3 bottles and use as much as it will hold

 

Should be in the manual under capacities. I'm going to guess based on personal experience with all my automotive adventures that it's going to be somewhere around 1.5 quarts.

Crush washers are meant to "crush" when the drain plug is torqued properly (because they're not torqued all that tight) and keep the bolt in and sealed up. Not sure if the rear diff has any. It's been about 30K miles since I did mine and I honestly don't remember.

And, I'll probably start some shit for this, but they're bullshit if you're competent with a wrench. Basic rule of a drain plug is "don't monkey arm the shit out of it". Make it tight. But don't stand on the damn thing. I've been changing my own oil for years, on multiple vehicles, and I've never replaced a washer. And I've never had a drain plug leak/fail/seized/break off or any of that. But as usual... YMMV.

 

Oh yeah.

 

Don't worry... If anyone asks me, it never happened.

 

so if anyone is planning on doing this anytime soon, the Amsoil website (http://www.amsoil.com/mygarage/vehiclelookup.aspx?url2=2009+TOYOTA+TACOMA+Z) shows rear diff as 5.9 pints, which google reminded me 1 quart is 2 pints, so buying 3 of those bottles, like the guy in the write-up did, makes sense now.

 

Not messing with you. Like @Fish12South, it's been awhile since I did mine, but there should be a crush washer. At least on the drain plug. If not both, the drain and fill. They're dirt cheap, so I just replace them every time. They're meant to be one-time use, but some people reuse them or don't use them at all. I'm religious about things like that and torque values because I have a tendency to over tighten things otherwise.

Oil drain is paper coated, flat steel; manual trans is aluminum; and the rear diff should be a domed steel washer. If I'm remembering right.

 

Yeah... Mine is just non paper coated steel now. And my rear is non-domed anymore.

But seriously, yes, the book will tell you to replace them. I choose not to. But I live on the edge. And I don't set my power glove to "kill it with torque" mode.

 

I have never replaced the drain washers on any fluid change I have done. On all my cars and trucks. They are cheap so if you do get some buy a couple and keep them for the next go around. Just tell the Stealership what you plan to do and ask for all crush washers for the plugs. They will know what you want. Have them show you which is which though because some are different

 

So what's the deal on aftermarket projector-type headlights in Virginia? Are they legal and will they pass inspection?