2012 tacoma with tow package

Hello everyone,

i have seen multiple threads and posts about this specific topic but before doing it, i wanted to be sure.

i have a 2012 tacoma V6 with tow package. I want to change the front/rear differential and transfer case oil, any recommendations on the type and amount needed? Rear does have Diff lock.

also, my truck is about to hit 200k miles, any recommendations on maintenance or things I should check for?
Thanks!

 

Do you have the original owner's manual? Everything you are looking for will be in there.

If you don't have the hard copy, you can download a pdf from Toyota:
https://www.toyota.com/owners/warranty-owners-manuals/

 

Welcome to the forum. The maintenance chart here (https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2nd-gen-diy-maintenance-quick-reference-guide.438945/) has recommendations on fluid type and capacity.

Here are links for the front and rear service:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/front-diff-and-transfer-case-oil-change-howto.147631/

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

 

check the DIYs. I believe Amsoil site (the fluid doesn’t have to be theirs) lists capacities.

 

Welcome to TW.

 

You’re right, there are tons of threads on this already. Good luck!

 

thank you, i didnt see these posts. Seems like ill need 6qts of

$30 75w-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

75w-90. Because i have a 2012 tow package, no need for the lsd additive, correct? I read that the transfercase needs a specific gear oil due to the brass, is that true?

 

Nothing after 2009 has a physical limited slip, so no LSD additive needed.

Yes, some say you should be careful with the transfer case oil. One member on here had their synchros self destruct (the brass parts), and they thought the oil type may have been the issue.

Problem is the TC oil type specified in the manual can be difficult to find, or is pretty expensive.

 

as long as i use

$30 75w-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

75w-90 gl-4 gear oil, i should be fine, right? If not, any recommendations to use for the TC and differentials?

 

Whatever the manual says, I don't know the acceptable types and the viscosity off hand.

I may have been wrong about the particular type of TC oil, that may only apply to later model years (my 2012 Tacoma was 2wd, so I never had to mess with it).

My 4R has a different TC oil spec, but that's both newer and a different model, so doesn't directly compare.

 

Use GL-5, not GL-4. I used the following on the front and rear differentials and the transfer case:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Valvolin...fnq3E1Go7qIro1EQ0ea9MUt50CP4iGaxoCH8IQAvD_BwE

 

I've found that 75W-90 isn't always stocked and have used 80W-90 in the past, which is close enough. Looks like Walmart now stocks 75W-90, but it's full synthetic and double the price. Axle manufacturers have recommended just regular dino oil in the past, but I don't really think it matters.

I use Ravenol MTF-3 for the transfer case: https://www.ravenolamerica.com/passenger-car-products/75w-gear-oil-ravenol-mtf-3/

 

These trucks call for 75w85 for the diffs and 75w90 for the t case. However, I used redline since they were the only brand I know of to offer 75w85. It's basically a weight toyota designed so it's hard to find brands that make it. I did that just to use what it calls for, but really, you don't have to do that. Diffs aren't picky like your engine and transmission. I would go to your local parts store and get

$30 Mobil 1 75w90 Mobil 1 104361 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

Mobil 1 75w90 and use it for everything. The rear axle holds roughly 3 quarts. The front diff holds 1.6 I believe. And the t case holds 1.1. So, get 7 quarts.

 

Grab 6 of these.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Super-Te...ant-SAE-75W-90-1-Quart/309470123?from=/search

1.6 for front diff, 1.4 for transfer case (i might have those capacities flipped), and 3 for the rear axle.

 

I drive a 15, here's my manual and what it says.

 

ah yeah thats right, there will be a little left over after the tcase/front diff... so put 3 and the leftover in the rear axle.

 

My bad, I was thinking of the 3rd gen. Not sure why the 3rd gen calls for their LF SAE 75W in the t-case. Much easier to just use

$30 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

75W-90 all around.

 

These call for 75w85 for the diffs, but lots of people just use 75w90. It's a lot easier to get ahold of and it works just fine.

 

If you change them out yourself it will take a total of around 6 qts of gear oil. I made the mistake of letting the Toyota Stealership change them out for the first time to break the factory bolts loose... got charged for 11 qts. All the service manager had to say was "well, sometimes they take more." Won't make that mistake again!

 

That's dumb, I bought 7 quarts just in case and had a quart left over for both