Doing my 15k mile Maintenance...

It's Saturday. LivING on Kodiak island, no Toyota dealerships anywhere so I am going to change the oil, check U-bolts, rotate tires and I was thinking of changing out the rear diff fluid. Should I change the diff fluid or just leave it? I was thinking of putting a synthetic in there. Also. What's the Tq on the wheel lugs? I have my impact good for 120 ft lbs. I changed the oil myself at 5k miles, was changed at 10k before driving through the Yukon. Now I'm at almost 16k miles.

 

I changed mu diff fluid early on. Personally I don't see the point of going through all the hassle of changing it and not using synthetic. The torque spec you are looking for should be in the owners manual.

 

I torque to 90lbs.

 

I understand all the oils in the difs are synthetic. Also I thought that the difs weren t due untill 30,000

 

In my truck, id rather change the fluid than have all the metal floating around from break in

 

Royal purple at 2000 miles.

 

Hi guys! I have experience changing engine oil, changing shocks, brake pads and rotors but none changing diff oil.. is there a diy explanation or video of it?

I have 10.000 miles on my truck and I feel like it's already late to change it but I would like to do it...

Do you know when is supposed to be changed by the owners manual??

Thanks for the help!!!!

 

Not to late. It's super easy, just drain plug and fill plug to work with. I think it's 4qts to fill but I fill until it starts pouring out then plug it back up

 

Pull the drain plug, let it drain, reinstall. Pull fill plug and put fluid in until it runs out.

 

TO the OP I think the drain plug on the diff is magnetic??? I haven't changed mine yet tho.

On torque lug nuts... tight enough to stay on and loose enough to get off by hand in the frozen winter time when Murphy's law strikes. I get pissed when I need to take a wheel off and the lugs are on so tight I need a breaker bar.... how would I change a flat tire without a breaker bar... in rain at night.... ??

 

you can find some more specifics on the first post here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-diy-maintenance-quick-reference.406712/

Also I recommend pulling the fill plug first then the drain plug just in case.

 

I recommend changing you diff oil, I did mine at 10k and based on what I found I wish I'd done like Aussie did, at 800. But better late than never.

I also don't bother with the dealer as I don't want any stripped oil plugs or over-tightened oil filters and I avoid that first dry start by filling my filter cap with fresh oil to prevent unnecessary wear from starting with an empty oil filter cap. And I also know what has been done and done properly.
I torque my wheel lugs to 83ft. lbs.

For the diff oil change you will need a new crush plug washers, you can get them all from Amazon cheap.
I used Mobil 1 75W90 synthetic for $11 bucks from Autozone, removed the spare tire from under the bed to re-fill without using a pump and torqued the plugs @36 ft.lbs.

Hope that helps
Cheers!

 

Even though its a new truck, he should definitely get in the habit of pulling the fill plug before the drain plug! You only have to make that mistake once.....

 

Also, just to play devils advocate here, think of all the high mileage Tacomas on the road that have never had their diff oil changed ever. I bet if you mention "differential" to a majority of Tacoma owners they will say "whats that?"

Nobody should beat themselves up for not switching the diff fluid after 10k miles or what not.

 

Good point, but if it should be stuck, I haven't met one yet that wasn't persuaded to open up that wet hole for me with a 1/2" strike tool and a hammer!

Hope that helps
Cheers!

 

What fluids you guys running in the front & rear diff?

 

I was gonna ask the same thing, my 2015s manual says 75w-85 and there are not many choices out there.

 

I was looking into this today... went to bobstheoilguy site and everyone over there says go 75w90 full synthetic, that 75w85 from Toyota is too thin and causes a lot of wear if pushing the diff hard. Maybe some truth to that - everyone that has changed it out on the Gen3 noticed a lot of metals in the gear oil.
Redline has the 75w85 if you want to stick with stock or pay $30/qt for the Toyota version, I'm sure its a rip off...errr worth it.

 

redline 75w-85

 

I was looking for the Toyota original diff oil on Amazon and its $30 per quart! That's a lot of money!!!!!!

Toyota Genuine Fluid 08885-02506 Differential Gear Oil LT - 1 Liter Bottle

$48 Genuine Toyota 08885-02506 GL-5 75W-85 Differential Gear Oil

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004SL9HP6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_wa-aybSQN3FM0

Is there another more affordable option that does not bother the lsd system?? I have no idea how that works...

I feel that I can change it but I have no clue of which type oil I have to use...