PennSilverTaco's "Perfect 5-Lug Regular Cab" Build, Aspergers, and General BS MegaThread!

On some vehicles, I've gone over 400K. Never changed a timing chain. Clean oil and sensible driving will keep the TC alive for as long as you care to own the truck.

 

Quite simple...

How often, if ever, do I need to change the rear diff fluid in my truck? I've got 93K miles on it now and don't think it's ever been changed.

 

I did mine at 50 and and ~130. I was pretty nasty at 130.

 

Is yours 4x4/Prerunner, or 5-lug?

 

4*2 5lugging life

 

I do not have the resources to do that myself. Should I do it at the garage owned by the dealer where I work (employee discount) or at Thompson Toyota (don't work there but have been taking my truck there for years)?

 

Its pretty straightforward, just do it somewhere for a decent price. If its never been done at 93k then you should do it

 

I vaguely remember having it done at some point years ago, but better safe than sorry!

 

Stick your finger in the fill hole and get a sample. Taste it and see if its ok.. LOL just kidding. Wipe it on a white piece of paper and see how dirty it is.

 

Where is the fill hole?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/changing-differential-fluid-a-step-by-step-how-to.24545/

Should be a 24mm bolt, same as the drain plug

 

Some information here. I currently have 258,000 miles on my 2007 2tr-fe, and not all of those are easy miles. I had a chance to actually look at my timing chain when my head gasket was replaced. I’ve been hard on my truck but very, very good about oil changes, and the timing chain looked brand new. More than that it passed the visual and physical “inspection” of the mechanic. I don’t know what exactly that entailed, whether he tugged on it or something, but he guaranteed it was like new.

I was also told by a long time Parts manager and former Toyota mechanic that we will actually be able to hear when the chain is near the end of it’s service life. It’ll sound like a chain slap. I don’t know exactly what that means since I’ve never encountered that before, but there ya go.

 

The concern over replacing the timing chain not necessary.
A timing-belt would be a valid concern.
I had the timing belt disintegrate on an '89 Corolla at 130,000 miles.
The 4 cylinder motor is a non-interference engine and does not cause a blown motor if the
Timing Belt or Timing chain breaks.
Replace the serpentine belt and tensioner pully.
You're good to go.

 

Don’t worry. It’s a life part unless some physical happens to it, like an accident or a gun shot to it.

Just enjoy your truck my friend. Seems like you’re maintaining it like it should.

 

So if the timing chain actually snaps, nothing will happen?

 

UPDATE: Based on the opinions of a my fellow Tacoma owners and some friends (a few of whom were mechanics, I have decided not to replace the timing chain.

What pisses me off is that a garage owned by the dealer I work at wants like $3,200 to do the job, AFTER applying the employee discount! My friend who has his own independent garage said it would cost between $1,400 and $2,000 to do it, WITHOUT any discounts!

The guy at the dealer garage said I would be billed for a flat rate of 20.3 no matter how long it took to do the job!

 

And flat rate mechanics learn to do the job in way less than the 20 hours. They get paid by doing it faster. It is easy to beat most flat rate book rates. A garage that works under flat rate will usually have 10-20 billable hours from the top mechanics. Hey, it only takes me till lunch to do 8 hours work. Also requires having boatloads and knowledge to use them.

 

You DO NOT have to replace the timing chain for the life of the vehicle. Chain will stretch over time but it will be minimal as long as your car has engine oil. 120K change interval is for the engine with timing belt. I wold not waste any money or time worrying about the timing chain.

 

A timing chain on a Toyota? Wouldn’t sweat it. A timing chain on the 3.6 shitbox chevy engine? 100k

 

Scored this from a friend for forty bucks!