Anza Borrego Advice

I was paranoid myself but rewatched videos from the driver seat and looked like I was in the clear. I think. Only way I can think tp check it is to open the refill nut and check tonsee if it's murky or white

 

You just made my day! Nice Pictures!

 

Listen brother I may be handsome but I'm not so smart. When you say refill nut....... Is that the little jammy at not quite the six o'clock position on the bottom of the pumpkin? I'm coming from a place of a complete novice here....and if unscrew it to check will I lower the fluid (what kind of fluid goes in there?) level to a point of having to refill it? And then......how's that work?

Am new. Kinda dumb. First to admit it though, so there's something to that.

 

It's the silver nut midway on diff. If you take that off and check to see if there is any milky oil if it's milky then water may have gone in

 

If it's murky you don't want to fill it. You will want to drain and fill with differential fluid. I'm not sure what toyota reccomends

 

Maybe @David K can answer on what to look out for? He said he sucked in water one time. This mod has been on my to-do list for a while and I finally ordered the parts just now. Thanks for the reminder

Amazon has the union for $9.27 free shipping and trdtoyotaparts.elmoretoyota.com has the breather for $3.45 plus $3.80 for shipping to Downey.

 

That's good price on breather. I paid 8 bucks and dealer had to order it

 

About a month ago I had went into the dealer WITH the part numbers and it was still like pulling teeth. I got frustrated and ended up walking out. I had forgot all about it until this thread popped up.

 

It is really very simple... If the diff oil is milky, is has water contamination. My 6-month-old Tacoma did when it was checked after being in deep, muddy water.

It is totally preventable. The front diff has a breather, it never gets contaminated. The rear diff has a pressure relief exhaust valve, not a breather. We remove the useless vent and replace it with the 'union', 5 ft. of hose, and a real breather (same one used on the front diff.) mounted on the end of the tube, higher than any normal water level. I put mine in the storage compartment in the bed of the truck. It was the easiest place. Others have put it in the gas fill bay or the brake light compartment. I have all the photos and part numbers in the link in my signature...

 

This is where my breather is now. I relocated it last year took me about 15 minutes. I did it cause I was deep in water in Asuza. If you were in deep water you will need to drain and refill your differential.

 

I may have to change my diff fluid now. What' weight do you put in and how much?

 

There are some areas of the trail with deep fine sand. Do not stop LOL

 

There is a thread on this topic in the garage section. My 2009 pre runner also needs an additive that I get at the toyo dealer. I will look for the info after work if you dont get it before.

 

NO ADDITIVE needed 2009 and newer! Only 2005-2008 SPORT TRD Tacomas had the limited slip differential. 2009 + all have an open differential with electronic traction control.

However, if you use synthetic gear oil (75-90, etc.) it likely is made to also be used in limited slip differentials, as Mobil 1 is.

 

Why all the extra tube in there? Snip it, leaving slack under the bed for axle lean/ movement.

 

Interesting, the Toyo mechanic first just gave me the fluid and stopped me on the way out and told me that for a 2009 I needed the additive too. I will need to check this again.

 

The extra slack is because I plan to do more mods to it including a shackle flip. I am not sure where I will end up and the slack does not hurt.

 

Just use Mobil 1 and be done with it.
Additive in differential oil is for the clutches in limited slip differentials. If you don't have a SPORT (hood scoop), model year 2005-2008, then you don't need an additive. IF you use Mobile 1, you don't need it either.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-diy-maintenance-quick-reference.406712/

3rd gen is 75w-85 GL 5. Btw which is funny because I went to the dealer and asked them and they said toyota hasn't come out with a list for fluids on the 2017s lol

 

Hey, how bad is it exactly during the weekends? I plan on going to see the caves, canyons, and font points. Is the entire area really that bad, no alternative routes to?

Thank you