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My dad never changed transmission fluid 1st gen 160k miles

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by EzraC, Oct 28, 2021.

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  1. Oct 28, 2021 at 7:21 PM
    #1
    EzraC

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    EzraC [OP] Member

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    Hi everyone. My dad gave me his 98 Tacoma. 2.7 L 4x4 and had never changed the manual transmission fluid, front and rear differential fluid, transfer case fluid, and the coolant. He changed the engine oil and spark plugs religiously so that’s not a problem but I was wondering if it was too late to change these fluids. I’ve heard once it’s been this long that it’s just better to let them be. Is this true? Thanks for the help!
     
    EzraC, Oct 28, 2021
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  2. Oct 28, 2021 at 7:26 PM
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    Black DOG Lila

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    Black DOG Lila Well-Known Member

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    Welcome to TacomaWorld
    Change the fluids
     
    Black DOG Lila, Oct 28, 2021
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  3. Oct 28, 2021 at 7:30 PM
    #3
    PennSilverTaco

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    PennSilverTaco Encyclopedia of useless information...

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    Like he said ^^^

    Change the fluids...
     
    PennSilverTaco, Oct 28, 2021
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  4. Oct 28, 2021 at 7:31 PM
    #4
    steel wheels

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    steel wheels Well-Known Member

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    " Is this true? " Nope.
     
    steel wheels, Oct 28, 2021
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  5. Oct 28, 2021 at 7:38 PM
    #5
    Clearwater Bill

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    Clearwater Bill Never answer an anonymous letter

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    Change the fluids including brake fluid.

    The rumors you heard were related to automatic transmissions most likely.

    For the driveline bits I'd suggest using an OTC product of the right specs, but bargain priced, and change it again in 2-3k. Give it a bit more cleanup that way.

    Coolant should get all new hoses too. At that mileage with no prior service you may want to keep an eye out for potential leaks around the water pump or radiator.
     
    Clearwater Bill, Oct 28, 2021
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  6. Oct 28, 2021 at 7:39 PM
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    EzraC

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    EzraC [OP] Member

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    Hey OP here. I’m just a 17 year old kid tryna fix my old man’s mistakes. All the help is appreciated. Thanks
     
    EzraC, Oct 28, 2021
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  7. Oct 28, 2021 at 7:42 PM
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    Woodini

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    Woodini Well-Known Member

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    Change as many fluids as you can, it’s not too hard. Your Dad gave you a cool truck!
     
    Woodini, Oct 28, 2021
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  8. Oct 28, 2021 at 7:44 PM
    #8
    kodiakisland

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    kodiakisland Well-Known Member

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    Change all the fluids when you can, but the vast majority of people never change the transmission or diff fluids on their vehicles. Ever.
     
    kodiakisland, Oct 28, 2021
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  9. Oct 28, 2021 at 7:54 PM
    #9
    Black DOG Lila

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    Black DOG Lila Well-Known Member

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    Replace the crush washers on drain and fill plugs with these
    Rexka 12pcs Transfer & Differential Service Gasket Kit Compatible with Toyota Lexus 4Runner Land Cruiser Tundra Tacoma FJ Cruiser Highlander RAV4 Sequoia Sienna 1215710010 9043024003 90430A0003
    $7 Rexka 12pcs Transfer & Differential Service Gasket Kit Compatible with Toyota Lexus 4Runner Land Cruiser Tundra Tacoma FJ Cruiser Highlander RAV4 Sequoia Sienna 1215710010 9043024003 90430A0003
    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CJHTDVV?_encoding=UTF8

    Remove the fill plugs before drain plugs
     
    Black DOG Lila, Oct 28, 2021
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  10. Oct 28, 2021 at 7:58 PM
    #10
    ekul310

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    ekul310 Well-Known Member

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    Some real good advice here ^
     
    ekul310, Oct 28, 2021
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  11. Oct 28, 2021 at 7:59 PM
    #11
    ekul310

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    ekul310 Well-Known Member

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    Also probably grease the ujoints in the driveshaft and check the suspension for wear, specifically the lower ball joints. Many how-tos on that topic if you search. If they end up needing replacement, use OEM.
     
    ekul310, Oct 28, 2021
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  12. Oct 28, 2021 at 9:23 PM
    #12
    4x4Runner

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    4x4Runner Sam’s gone, man. Moderator

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    Oof, yeah, um, no. Change that shit! Why TF didn’t he change it sooner?

    You’re right, the dealerships service department does when people take it in for regular service intervals and not pulling it into their garage and claiming to be a official shade tree mechanic.


    Damn! My pops religiously did a drain fill of the trans fluid every 10k. Ran an amsoil remote dual filter set up for the oil, installed a B&M trans cooler that was separate from the radiator and changed the diff oil every 30k.

    some peoples dads just know.
     
    4x4Runner, Oct 28, 2021
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  13. Oct 28, 2021 at 9:27 PM
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    Old green toyota

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    Old green toyota Well-Known Member

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    Oil leaks
    Change the lower ball joints first.
     
    Old green toyota, Oct 28, 2021
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  14. Oct 28, 2021 at 9:34 PM
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    kodiakisland

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    kodiakisland Well-Known Member

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    Seriously, most people barely even get their oil changed. The vast majority of the vehicles on the road have never had the fluid changed in their transmissions or diffs.
     
    kodiakisland, Oct 28, 2021
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  15. Oct 29, 2021 at 6:06 AM
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    DrewZFoster

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    DrewZFoster Well-Known Member

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    My 97 with 167k had a radiator that was starting to weep on an end cap, I replaced it and the two main hoses. It was a very easy job with the grill off and it probably ran me $150ish all together via rock auto... it is DYI and for us cheap insurance.
     
    DrewZFoster, Oct 29, 2021
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  16. Oct 29, 2021 at 6:22 AM
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    Steves104x4

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    Steves104x4 Well-Known Member

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    Steves104x4, Oct 29, 2021
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  17. Oct 29, 2021 at 8:40 AM
    #17
    Kevin Jones

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    Kevin Jones Well-Known Member

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    You are exactly right, at least that's what my experience owning/operating a chain of auto parts store for 16 years taught me. Most people change their oil fairly regularly and ATF fluid from time to time, but that's about it as far as fluid changes go.

    My 96, MT, 2.7 with 415,000 trouble-free miles on it has never had manual trans/transfer case/differential fluid replaced. And all runs, shifts smoothly and perfectly quite. In fact, I wish my 2018 TRD Sport was as quite.

    I take very good care of my vehicles as the below photos demonstrate. Engine oil has been changed every 5,000 miles since new. I'm planning on changing my differential fluid soon.

    IMG_2845 (3).jpg IMG_2700.jpg
     
    Kevin Jones, Oct 29, 2021
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  18. Oct 29, 2021 at 8:50 AM
    #18
    jbrandt

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    jbrandt Made you look

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    Absolutely not. Who told you that?!

    That said, as others said, there are probably a lot of folks running around with original trans fluid.

    1st thing is to check the fluids. And WHEN you drain them you can diagnose potential issues by looking at the condition. If it smells burnt, it' definitely bad and the trans has been overheated. But if it's still bright red and smells sweet, then you should be good to just replace it. Also, if it still shifts smoothly, it's probably fine.
     
    jbrandt, Oct 29, 2021
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  19. Oct 29, 2021 at 9:03 AM
    #19
    plurpimpin

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    plurpimpin Well-Known Member

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    that old wives tale pertains to power flushing an automatic transmission but still isn’t true. Changing the fluids isn’t gonna hurt anything only help.
     
    plurpimpin, Oct 29, 2021
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  20. Oct 29, 2021 at 9:06 AM
    #20
    Radarninja

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    Radarninja Safety 3rd

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    I read an article about changing ATF and failures.
    People tend to change it when tranny acts up. Then it fails soon after (because it was damaged)
    So they link the two.
    But changing the fluid didn’t harm it.
     
    Radarninja, Oct 29, 2021
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