Differential fluid exchange at 30k?

I do drive a 3rd gen as well as my company truck.

 

I want to say for both diffs and transfer case it was like 450. I had them change the trans oil and do a coolant flush while I was there. O rings and gear oil was like half of the price for thr diff fluid change. I figured I get it done and worry about it again in 3 or 4 years. My house doesn't have a level driveway but I know next time I can and will do the job

 

Whoa, don't start quoting the manual. What do those guys at Toyota know? For 99% of the population changing the diff oil is completely unnecessary. I have a 66 mustang with over 400k and undoubtedly still has some of the original oil. Added some from time to time with some bearing work, but unless your diff is doing some thing that this car hasn't considering it has been coast to coast as well as time in Europe I don't see the need with 40+ fewer years and 350k fewer miles. People change fluids for peace of mind, not because they actually need to.

We know why the dealer suggests it. They make easy money by putting fear into your head.

 

I agree. My dad's truck has 370,000 miles and he could give 2 fucks about diff oil. Or oil changes for that matter. I have to remind him of oil changes. Never had an issue, go figure.

I have a bit of OCD with my stuff and really try to keep stuff tip top.

 

Not sure if sarcastic, but yes, multiple idiots sued Toyota for this. Toyota recalled millions of vehicles (including 2nd gen Tacos) 12 years ago for this. I took my 2nd gen to the dealer so they could put the gas pedal in a vise and cut off the bottom 1/3 of the pedal. In the same visit it also got an ECM software update to add the brake override function. In the early days of the recall, dealers would literally staple the floormat to the footwell carpeting as "risk mitigation". It's bullshit but lawyers want money.

 

Correct, in theory it entails the technician opening the fill port, taking a fluid sample and making the judgment as to it needing replacement or not. This can be almost as expensive as just changing the fluid, so most dealers don't do it.

 

Nope, my last service at the stealership had that buried in the mix too.

 

A fairly knowledgeable off road guy told me that water crossings can pull water into the diff. He says a hot diff plunged into water will of course cause internal air to contract and suck water in. There is a valve on the diff breather but which way does it operate? Also in my experience these cheap valves don't work for long especially in dirty environments.

One of the first mods I did was diff breather lines, I assume nearly everyone who offroads does this?

 

Just remember to order the Lexus front differential fill and drain plugs ahead of time to replace the pos hex head ones.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/front-diff-drain-plug-alternate-oem-part.604989/

 

Everyone starts somewhere. With the number of videos specifically showing the steps to take on your specific vehicle I would highly recommend investing in the few basic tools needed to change the diff and transfer case fluids. The payback period for the tools alone is ONE fluid change at dealer rates. Of course, your time may be more valuable than the cost of the service so it may make sense for the dealership to keep all of the overhead with tools, fluid, and knowledge. If you are running stuff Bezos style then ya, investing time in the skills and necessary items to self-serve doesn't make sense. I struggle with that though for the very fact that you are on TW. Your presence here suggests a desire to learn so in that spirit I will suggest, as others have, that you step out of your comfort zone and get under the car.

Step by step instructions thread on TW
Step by step video instructions on YouTube (1 of 1000s of results)

• Fluid catch can or large food grade container from restaurant supply with markings (useful for transmission flushes) - several bucks - less than $20 (
  LUMAX LX-1628 Black 6 Quart Plastic Drain Pan. to Collect The Oil in Oil Changes. The Rugged, Oil Resistant All-Purpose Plastic Pan Will not Rust or Dent. Easy Cleaning.
  basic,
  $36 Rubbermaid Commercial Products Plastic Space Saving Square Food Storage Container, 18 Quart, Clear, for Kitchen/Sous Vide/Food Prep
  food grade - excellent for measuring trans fluid when DIY)
• I like to have a sealable, large mouth jug to pour the nasty stuff into then I take it to the local auto parts store where they dispose of it for free then give me my jug back - less than $20 (
  $24 FastRack 5 Gallon Hedpak with Cap | BPA-free, Food-Grade, and Leak-Proof | White Water Container | Ideal for brewing, fermentation, or storage
  5 gal container)
• You don't need a floor jack if you don't mind taking the time to get out the bottle jack that comes with the Taco. I would suggest jack stands for safety. Lowes & Home Depo have Craftsman and Husky branded pairs of jack stands for $40
• A ratchet and a 24mm socket available at most auto parts stores or individually in the tool section of most home improvement stores
• Nitrile Gloves (optional)

 

Thanks....wish Bezos budget....just for me I do not like and am not good at it so I end up screwing it up and then take to professional....several past experiences...no patience at 55.

 

No harm in that my friend. Lots of people aren’t mechanically inclined and you are WAY ahead of all them because you are here. Welcome.

 

@fourfourone I dunno why you got so mad about this? @tonykarter made a sarcastic comment about shady dealership practices, a bit of a rant but certainly didn't disparage you. Did you think we were questioning your intelligence?

It makes sense to have that price for a 2nd gen, or even a 3rd gen if you don't use the unicorn semen as @3JOH22A so wonderfully put it... except you are in the 3rd gen forum, so I was skeptical. One hour of labor is probably 120, so 60 would be enough for maybe the special tcase oil. So what did they put in your t case since you have the invoice handy and are so sure? "OEM gear oil?" No need to personally attack someone bud

 

I called two dealers in my area and they both told me they use bulk 75/90 in all three. Front, Rear and TCase. I am using 75/90 in front and rear and ordered the TCase oil from OEM Parts source as neither of my local dealers stock or sell any of the Toyota gear oils.

 

I used 75/90 in all three. Front, rear and transfer

 

Here is the deal take it for what is is worth. Yes the first time to dump all the matching left over gook then forget it for the next 200K.

 

Same here, I actually ordered 3 of the OEM fluid but turned out getting it delivered to AK would not happen ( came all the way to Seattle then shipped back ) so i said screw it

 

A little pro-tip after using the squeeze bags to fill my cases (5 total, three Tacoma and two RAV4)...
When you unscrew the cap to puncture the inner seal: there is a cardboard/coated disc that may or may not stay in the screw cap.
If it does, remove that and discard, puncture the foil seal and put cap back on.
If the disc stays on the bottle, remove it, don't just puncture through that and proceed... it will drip horribly. Ask me how I know.

 

Can anyone please point me to the rear diff drain plug? When i got my new gears they over tighten my original so bad that i am running with a non-magnetic one at the moment. I bought one on Amazon, but it was the wrong size.

Thanks!