Changing differential fluid - A step by step "HOW TO"

Just changed the rear differential on my 2013 Baja, 50,000 miles, for the first time. Hope the oil I bought is ok, Autozone by me didn't have the exact weight the book called for...Did get two new crush washers. Hardest part of the whole process was trying to get the fill plug off. I was pulling so hard with a breaker bar that when it gave, I hit myself right in the face. But it's done, made pretty good mess too.

 

Also, you can see how dark that oil is. I never dunk it and it only sees the trails a couple times a year, some light hauling.

 

Did Autozone have the crush washers?

 

Are you guys ok with doing the front dif, rear dif and transfer case all with 80w-90 Lucas Gear Oil (non synthetic)?

 

Yes but they came in a washer kit. Kits were around $3.59 ea, I needed 1 of the 6 washers in the kits and bought two kits. I figure I will need the rest of the washers sooner or later

 

I have a 2006 TRD Sport with LSD. I read the 1st 32 pages. I've seen conflicting comments about Royal Purple in the rear LSD. I just bought 3 qts of Royal Purple 74W90, which has friction additive. I also bought a 4 oz. bottle of LSD additive. Am I ok using the Royal Purple and adding the extra 4 oz. of additive? Or should I use it without the additive? Or should I relegate the Royal Purple to the front diff and transfer case and use something else for the rear diff? Tnx!

 

This went super easy. I sprayed the drain and filler plugs with PB Blaster the night before, and again before I started. Definitely a 6 point 24mm socket on an impact wrench is the way to go. I have a breaker bar and started with that but immediately switch to the impact wrench and both plugs came off instantly. If you don't have an impact wrench now it the time to get one. The cordless with the lithium ion batteries are everywhere and you can usually get a great price on a set with a drill and rapid charger.

1. impact wrench and 6 point 24mm socket and some PB Blaster. Don't bother with a breaker bar.
2. You don't need to move the spare tire if you are using an impact wrench.
3. You don't need a pump for the quart bottles with the nipple spouts. You can angle the bottle next to the spare tire and squeeze it directly in.
4. I poured the 4 oz. friction additive into one of the quart bottles after I had some room in it. I poured the last remaining bit of each quart bottle into the next one.
5. I plan on adding some leftover from the front diff oil (an equal amount of what was remaining in the last bottle, which was not much at all), since there will be a fair amount left over from when I change the front diff/transfer case

 

I've read a few posts and they confused me more lol.. What type of oil should I use on my 2011 sr5 4x4?

 

I just had SpeedFreek change both my differentials and the transfer case oil. 6 qts. total (3 in the rear diff. and the front diff and transfer case TOGETHER both use up the other 3 qts. (ie. about 1.5 qts in each). I use MOBIL 1 75/90.

 

I used Castrol synth 75W90 the first time around and got some chatter when powering out of turns. For the next change, I went with Quaker State 75W140 synth and the chatter was gone. Something to keep in mind.

75W90 is perfect for the front diff and T-case though.

 

Last time I did the full change on all three boxes, I did use Mobil 1 75-140 on the rear diff and 75-90 on the other two. That was 40,000 miles ago, never a problem. I went with the (factory recommended) 75-90 in the rear diff this time as I just don't do any heavy duty off roading much anymore and no towing or heavy loads. I am looking for better mileage, as well.

 

wait three? I thought there was only two differentials.. I had the dealer change the diff fluid about 25k miles ago and was looking to changing them myself. But what third one am I missing?

 

Front diff, rear diff, and transfer case.

 

The crush washers I bought didn't fit, had a small leak. Had to buy a new set of washers from Amazon and redo the rear dif. Did the front and transfer case. Tried to reuse the oil but it turned out to be a big effing mess

 

Man I love his thread and this has been on my to do list for awhile. I was thinking of using AMSOIL Severe Gear but I also understand that Schaeffer Supreme Gear oil is a good choice. I've heard a lot about AMSOIL but not much about Schaeffer. I've done some searching on the interwebs without much luck, does anyone have real world experience with Schaeffer oil?

 

Crush washers from Amazon in case anyone needs to know:

$15 GENUINE TOYOTA GASKET KIT FOR TRANSFER AND DIFFERENTIAL SERVICE

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017V4BAXI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Didn't see these listed in the "Products Discussed in this Thread" section.

 

Anyone have any advice on doing this for a first gen (2004)? Is it essentially the same process/tools needed?

Sorry if this was already discussed, I read through several pages but didn't see anything about first gens mentioned...

 

Same basic process... https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/manual-transmission-fluid-change.409021/

 

That answers my question about how to change the transmission oil myself too, thanks!

 

You're welcome. I apologize for not including this thread too... https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tranny-t-case-and-diff-fluids.154350/#post-3341726