Front Diff and Transfer Case Oil Change Howto

I changed my rear diff last night and the stuff that came out of there could clog a sewer. Looked like chocolate milk. Prrrretty sure its never been done. 130000 miles. So glad I stumbled on this thread.

 

Lol wow!! My '11 has 41,100 miles on it. I meant to get it all done right after I bought it at 27k miles, but time got away and I forgot. Just need a free day now.

 

It was indeed the OE plug and was a hex. I've since sold the truck but remember a hex for sure.

 

Just did this on the Taco and 4runner. Note the plugs on the front diff are on the driver's side of the truck on both models. They face the driver front tire. Also rear skid plate needs removed and the plugs were easier to remove from the front side of the tire. The diff was less awkward to fill from the rear side of the tire.Without a doubt the dirtiest oil came from the rear diff. Make it a priority.

 

For front diff i got this 10 mm hex. Perfect fit..

$6 GEARWRENCH 1/2" Drive Hex Bit Socket, 10mm - 80660

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002YKLA8U/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

I'm sorry if this has been asked already or if this question is dumb. How much oil do I need to replace the front diff, rear diff, and transfer case. Also does it all use the same type of oil?

 

Look at the first and second posts in this thread.

 

so 6 qts to do all three

 

Did this today@ 278k. The front diff wasn't black but it was dirty. The magnet looked about as I'd expected. The transfer case looked much better.

The Allen bolts were a bitch to get a wrench into. An angled pick, pb blaster and a ball end Allen wrench cleaned out the recess nicely. They came out easily.

 

Draining the front and back today. Anyone flush the front or rear with any sort of solvents? IF so, what solvent did you use??

 

Just drain and fill. Keep it simple.

 

Thank you for the thread made changing the fluids simple. Not sure if this is the first change or not for my rig 150k miles. The front needed it. As for the rear I checked it before draining, the fluid was perfect level and looked great figured no reason to drain it and refill..

 

Have to bust out the breaker bar, or did everything come off easy?

 

everything was easy no breaker bar or bloody knuckles

 

This is exactly the diy I needed. Thank god the pictures were not hosted by a 3rd site. I tend to find diy post where pictures are gone.

 

Ok, that seems like an easy task to accomplish. Thanks for the link. This will be the first time that I have done this myself. Always had it done at a shop.

 

Thanks for the write-up. Did all three (front and rear diff, transfer case) this weekend. We did the same to my wife's 4runner a couple years but through a stealership and they charged us upwards of $400 just to drain and fill the same fluids.

 

You saved yourself roughly $300 by diy after expenses...nice!

 

question. I know where the rear diff is. But where do I find the transfer case and front diff on my 2nd gen?