Yet another rear end oil question.

I have read up on how to change the rear end oil. I don't have a level spot so I figured the next best thing would be to face it downhill so that more would be in it.

here is my question:: I filled it with about 4+ quarts of fluid. Is too much a bad thing too?

I realize that it is holding more since I was not on level ground. I just wonder if this is going to mess something up.

Thanks for any and all advice.

-BEEF-

 

FYI its 3 quarts... so you are running a quart extra. I would drain some out.

 

I'm assuming you are talking about your rear differential? Just add oil until it starts to seep out of the fill plug hole. Take a little drive and check it again. I strongly advise to recheck it on level ground though. Just find a spot it only take a couple of minutes to do it.

 

I dont think it matters too much if you overfill the rear diff since it's vented. But then again maybe it does....

 

Your only supposed to fill it up until it starts to seep out of the hole.

 

Im aware of that. Generally you cant fill it past the hole if on level ground. But if he managed to get 4 quarts in it. I don't think it would matter much since the axle is vented.

But it might... I personally wouldn't sweat it.

 

I get the vented aspect so it "shouldn't" blow out the seals, but if that's the case why wouldn't more people run extra?


I'd park it in a level spot and drain it. Only take 2 minutes.

 

Why bother running more I don't think it matters much either way. Would I run 4 quarts? nah. Why waste the money?..

 

yeah OP park it on flat ground, pull the fill plug and let it drain out the fill hole.

 

Op... if you can't find a level area why not just level it out with a few pieces of wood?

 

Seems like it could be a problem on trucks that have long breather hose extensions.

 

Mine held 4 qts too. Like you, mine was pointed nose down when filling and I checked it later on level ground and the level was just a hair below the fill plug when I checked it on level ground later. I didn't even bother to add any b/c the level was less than 1/4" down past the hole.

BTW: All these guys that keep answering you have the TRD package which actually has a smaller rear end that holds less oil.

 

WUT?

they're all the same t100 axle housing. For like 2 decades.

 

TRD lockers are 8.0"
All other 2nd gens are 8.4"

 

Bigger ring gear = bigger housing = more oil. But you're right just the TRD O/R has the smaller rear end.
Honestly I think it's kinda odd that the 5 lug has a bigger rear end than the TRD o/r. Good for me though, b/c it means my rear end will last two forevers.

 

Right.....

 

Yeah I see what you are saying but even on uneven ground a whole other quart is quite a bit of more oil.

 

Technically i want to say the ring gears are THE SAME diameter... the "8.4" distinction is due to needing some differentiation between it and the "8.0" ... the 8.4 has 10bolts holding it on to the diff and cradle diff caps whereas the 8.0 has 8 bolts holding the ring gear to the diff and no cradle caps.

Also technically speaking the 8.0 diff housing is actually LARGER (read more room for oil) due to the needed extra room for the diff actuator and fork. But the difference is literally nothing... both of the 6 lug axles call for the same spec 2.91 to 3.01 US qts.

OP i wouldnt drive much with 4 quarts of oil in there.... like stated park it level and pull the fill plug till it stops draining.

 

The OP has a 5 lug. The manual calls for 3.66qts for it. In the real world it holds 4 qts.

 

I went ahead and drained some of the fluid out. I have a single car garage but it's filled with crap. After all this dialog, I decided to take out most of it (just enough to get the truck in) and emptied out about a half a quart. It's amazing how much stuff I have acquired over teh years. I want to say there is still about 4 quarts in the rear end currently.

My truck is the 5 lug truck so hopefully that is the right amount.

I plan to do the trans too, I think I'll put it in the garage for that one.

Thanks for all the input.