1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

I need a trans fluid change, whats the safest way?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by HumanityForPresident01, Sep 22, 2017.

  1. Sep 22, 2017 at 7:05 PM
    #1
    HumanityForPresident01

    HumanityForPresident01 [OP] Let 'er eat

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    Member:
    #179307
    Messages:
    570
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Trevor
    Vehicle:
    2006 Dark Blue Tacoma V6 SR5 EXT Cab TRD Off Road
    2.5" rancho 9000xl lift with UCA's, custom rock sliders, custom rear tube bumper, road armor front bumper, k&n air intake, winch, lights etc.
    I know i need a transmission change but I haven't done it myself yet because i'm not entirely sure what the best way is.
    I watched a video on youtube of a guy dropping his trans pan, measuring the amount that he drained, cleaned the magnets and put the pan back on. then he added the same amount of fluid he took out.
    I should mention my transmission is a stick which does not need a filter to what I understand.
    Another method I saw the guy was talking about there still being a lot of fluid that's still in circulation and he took his rad hose off red it into a bucked and i guess dumped in a gallon or so of trans fluid while the truck was running to pump all the old fluid out until it came out clean.
    that scares me, it seems like you could really fuck something up if you're not careful. I want to change all the fluid, I hear that only 30% of your total trans fluid sits in the pan, the other 70% is in circulation.

    What can anyone tell me about this, because there's no WAY i'm letting anyone else do this job. I am very skeptical of shops after trying to fuck me at toyota.
    I had my t.o. bearing and clutch disc/cover replaced and they took my exhaust apart obviously. they made a hairline crack in the y-pipe and did not own up to it. they were READY to sell me new exhaust. They said they don't weld there and they wont fix it.
    I talked to the manager and they tig welded it for free for me... scammers!

    thanks!
     
  2. Sep 22, 2017 at 7:08 PM
    #2
    HondaGM

    HondaGM CallSign Monke

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2009
    Member:
    #25056
    Messages:
    11,415
    First Name:
    James
    South-Pole, Alabama
    Vehicle:
    2023 access cab V6
    Take the drain bolt out... Then refill it at the fill plug till it runs out.:thumbsup:
     
    robssol likes this.
  3. Sep 22, 2017 at 7:09 PM
    #3
    HumanityForPresident01

    HumanityForPresident01 [OP] Let 'er eat

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    Member:
    #179307
    Messages:
    570
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Trevor
    Vehicle:
    2006 Dark Blue Tacoma V6 SR5 EXT Cab TRD Off Road
    2.5" rancho 9000xl lift with UCA's, custom rock sliders, custom rear tube bumper, road armor front bumper, k&n air intake, winch, lights etc.
    there are still magnets in the pan that should be cleaned though right?
     
  4. Sep 22, 2017 at 7:13 PM
    #4
    HondaGM

    HondaGM CallSign Monke

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2009
    Member:
    #25056
    Messages:
    11,415
    First Name:
    James
    South-Pole, Alabama
    Vehicle:
    2023 access cab V6
    https://youtu.be/j_ZEQcS0pg0
     
  5. Sep 22, 2017 at 7:15 PM
    #5
    HumanityForPresident01

    HumanityForPresident01 [OP] Let 'er eat

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    Member:
    #179307
    Messages:
    570
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Trevor
    Vehicle:
    2006 Dark Blue Tacoma V6 SR5 EXT Cab TRD Off Road
    2.5" rancho 9000xl lift with UCA's, custom rock sliders, custom rear tube bumper, road armor front bumper, k&n air intake, winch, lights etc.
    yeah i watched that one
     
  6. Sep 22, 2017 at 7:17 PM
    #6
    HondaGM

    HondaGM CallSign Monke

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2009
    Member:
    #25056
    Messages:
    11,415
    First Name:
    James
    South-Pole, Alabama
    Vehicle:
    2023 access cab V6
    I wouldn't sleep tonight till that fluid was changed...
     
  7. Sep 22, 2017 at 7:20 PM
    #7
    HumanityForPresident01

    HumanityForPresident01 [OP] Let 'er eat

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    Member:
    #179307
    Messages:
    570
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Trevor
    Vehicle:
    2006 Dark Blue Tacoma V6 SR5 EXT Cab TRD Off Road
    2.5" rancho 9000xl lift with UCA's, custom rock sliders, custom rear tube bumper, road armor front bumper, k&n air intake, winch, lights etc.
    so to what i understood from my small amount of research is automatics have trans filters, and manuals have magnets. In the video i saw his magnets were full of metal particles, and he suggested cleaning them when changing fluid. Also is it true that only 30% of the total fluid is in the pan?
    So you recommend only pulling the plug?
     
  8. Sep 22, 2017 at 7:22 PM
    #8
    HondaGM

    HondaGM CallSign Monke

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2009
    Member:
    #25056
    Messages:
    11,415
    First Name:
    James
    South-Pole, Alabama
    Vehicle:
    2023 access cab V6
    Just clean the magnet... A manual trans doesn't have a pan like a auto.
     
  9. Sep 22, 2017 at 7:26 PM
    #9
    eon_blue

    eon_blue Most Improved Member

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2016
    Member:
    #180213
    Messages:
    66,725
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ryan
    Vehicle:
    '04 TRD 3.4l 4x4 5sp manual Xtraca & '96 4runner 4x4 5spd manual
    All you need to do with a manual trans is drain and fill, no need to do a major system "flush" like automatics require every now and then. It's one of the easiest maintenance requirements to do yourself, takes all of 20 minutes.

    Remember to always loosen the fill plug before loosening the drain plug. Don't want to drain out your oil only to discover that the fill plug is stuck on.

    Have new crush washers handy for both the fill and drain plugs...they're cheap and if you reuse the old ones, it could end up leaking.

    Drain the trans into a catch can for a few minutes until it's no longer running out of the drain hole, plug the drain hole, then fill her up with the appropriate gear oil (75w90 I believe...unless it's different for you 2nd gens) and keep filling it until the oil starts to run out of the fill hole. That's when you know it's full.

    Plug it up with a new crush washer on the plug and you're good to go.
     
  10. Sep 22, 2017 at 7:31 PM
    #10
    HumanityForPresident01

    HumanityForPresident01 [OP] Let 'er eat

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    Member:
    #179307
    Messages:
    570
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Trevor
    Vehicle:
    2006 Dark Blue Tacoma V6 SR5 EXT Cab TRD Off Road
    2.5" rancho 9000xl lift with UCA's, custom rock sliders, custom rear tube bumper, road armor front bumper, k&n air intake, winch, lights etc.
    but theres still fluid in the pan if you just drain it from the drain plug right? the drain hole isnt flush with the bottom of the pan, which would leave some still in there. and no need to ever clean the magnets then? just let metal collect on them forever until the have so much gear metal on them they no longer work and let metal pass through the system and mess up things faster. see i'm a worrier, and i worry about my baby.
     
  11. Sep 22, 2017 at 7:34 PM
    #11
    HumanityForPresident01

    HumanityForPresident01 [OP] Let 'er eat

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    Member:
    #179307
    Messages:
    570
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Trevor
    Vehicle:
    2006 Dark Blue Tacoma V6 SR5 EXT Cab TRD Off Road
    2.5" rancho 9000xl lift with UCA's, custom rock sliders, custom rear tube bumper, road armor front bumper, k&n air intake, winch, lights etc.
    do you get a lot of shit on this site for sporting a honda? it just looks funny on a tacoma web forum.lol
     
  12. Sep 22, 2017 at 7:36 PM
    #12
    eon_blue

    eon_blue Most Improved Member

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2016
    Member:
    #180213
    Messages:
    66,725
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ryan
    Vehicle:
    '04 TRD 3.4l 4x4 5sp manual Xtraca & '96 4runner 4x4 5spd manual
    Lol, you're overthinking it. Manual transmissions are very low maintenance compared to autos in the long run (minus having to replace the clutch every 150k or so). They're also far simpler by design and less temperamental than autos. No need to worry about any oil left behind after you drain it, the new oil will mix with whatever little amount of the old oil is still in there and as long as you're good about doing the drain and fill at the proper intervals (every 30k or so) you'll always have fresh gear oil in your transmission. Everyone I've known with a high mileage manual trans Tacoma has only ever done drain and fills...come to think of it, I don't even know if there is a process for 'flushing' a manual trans like you would an auto. Maybe there is but I've never heard of anyone doing it; manuals do just fine with regular drain and fills.

    As for the magnet, you're referring to the magnet on the drain plug yeah? Just wipe it off before you put it back in. Minor metal shavings/particles are a normal occurrence. As long as there aren't any big chunks or shavings you're fine.
     
  13. Sep 22, 2017 at 7:37 PM
    #13
    HondaGM

    HondaGM CallSign Monke

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2009
    Member:
    #25056
    Messages:
    11,415
    First Name:
    James
    South-Pole, Alabama
    Vehicle:
    2023 access cab V6
    Not really ... It will blow away a 3rd gen tacoma no problem
     
  14. Sep 22, 2017 at 7:41 PM
    #14
    eon_blue

    eon_blue Most Improved Member

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2016
    Member:
    #180213
    Messages:
    66,725
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ryan
    Vehicle:
    '04 TRD 3.4l 4x4 5sp manual Xtraca & '96 4runner 4x4 5spd manual
    Also I recommend using Redline gear oil for your manual trans, makes shifting feel noticeably smoother more-so than any other gear oil I've tried.
     
    JoefromPTC likes this.
  15. Sep 23, 2017 at 4:29 AM
    #15
    HumanityForPresident01

    HumanityForPresident01 [OP] Let 'er eat

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    Member:
    #179307
    Messages:
    570
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Trevor
    Vehicle:
    2006 Dark Blue Tacoma V6 SR5 EXT Cab TRD Off Road
    2.5" rancho 9000xl lift with UCA's, custom rock sliders, custom rear tube bumper, road armor front bumper, k&n air intake, winch, lights etc.
    lol thats still funny though
     
  16. Sep 23, 2017 at 4:29 AM
    #16
    HumanityForPresident01

    HumanityForPresident01 [OP] Let 'er eat

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    Member:
    #179307
    Messages:
    570
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Trevor
    Vehicle:
    2006 Dark Blue Tacoma V6 SR5 EXT Cab TRD Off Road
    2.5" rancho 9000xl lift with UCA's, custom rock sliders, custom rear tube bumper, road armor front bumper, k&n air intake, winch, lights etc.
    yup ive still got a few bottles of redline from when i did my t-case. good stuff.
     
  17. Sep 23, 2017 at 4:30 AM
    #17
    HumanityForPresident01

    HumanityForPresident01 [OP] Let 'er eat

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    Member:
    #179307
    Messages:
    570
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Trevor
    Vehicle:
    2006 Dark Blue Tacoma V6 SR5 EXT Cab TRD Off Road
    2.5" rancho 9000xl lift with UCA's, custom rock sliders, custom rear tube bumper, road armor front bumper, k&n air intake, winch, lights etc.
    to my knowledge i was told there were two magnets in the trans pan since manuals don't have trans filters. or is the only magnet on the drain plug?
     
  18. Sep 23, 2017 at 4:48 AM
    #18
    gearcruncher

    gearcruncher Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2012
    Member:
    #90305
    Messages:
    7,131
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Canadain bumper technician
    Great white North 51.0333° N, 93.8333° W
    Vehicle:
    2010.TRD.SportDCLB4x4Limited leather package
    TRD Sport Rally -5 speed automatic Limited ,Factory heated leather seats ,chrome package,Super white with front windows tinted to 35 % Dick Cepek DC-2 wheels Summer tires - Good year silent armor P265/65R17 Winter tires - Good year P265/65R17 Ultra Ice studded Illuminated 4x4 switch TRD 3rd brake light cover ($20) TRD seat belt shoulder protectors (5). ($50) TRD ...B pillar emblems ($20) TRD rear slider sticker with devil horns ( $6) TRD summer floor matts ($60) TRD steering wheel emblem ($20) TRD floor pedals .($95) TRD shorty antenna ($14) TRD front Windshield emblems ($17) TRD head pillows .($60) TRD head rest protectors TRD door scuff protection $20 TRD floor matt emblems ($40) TRD tow plug emblem . ($40) TRD cigarette lighter with LED.($35) TRD tissue dispenser ($12) TRD front bezel emblems ($9) TRD door emblems ($6) TRD lanyards($9) TRD lisence plates with TRD bolts($50) TRD fender emblems TRD center caps Part Number:PT904-35070-CC ($80) TRD cd
  19. Sep 23, 2017 at 6:12 AM
    #19
    Blockhead

    Blockhead Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2015
    Member:
    #156849
    Messages:
    1,858
    Gender:
    Male
    Pittsburgh, Pa.
    Vehicle:
    2019 magnetic gray DCLB
    That's really not saying much though...'blow away" as in how?
     
  20. Oct 14, 2017 at 4:12 AM
    #20
    HumanityForPresident01

    HumanityForPresident01 [OP] Let 'er eat

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    Member:
    #179307
    Messages:
    570
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Trevor
    Vehicle:
    2006 Dark Blue Tacoma V6 SR5 EXT Cab TRD Off Road
    2.5" rancho 9000xl lift with UCA's, custom rock sliders, custom rear tube bumper, road armor front bumper, k&n air intake, winch, lights etc.
    yeah i saw that when i was changing my fluid. My dad has a gen 2 automatic base model tacoma which has the trans pan, together with watching mislabled youtube videos and not looking close enough, i thought i had a pan. The fluid change was easy, i cleaned the magnet on the drain plug and filled it til it just started running out the fill hole.
    When i took the fill plug off a lot of fluid came out, when the stealership did my t.o. bearing job and shift lever they filled the trans from the shifter so there was a little bit more in there than i could get into the fill hole.

    Thanks for your help!
     

Products Discussed in

To Top