Fluid change questions

alright guys i have oil change coming up. i want to do the case and diffs as well. i use full synthetic amsoil for engine so prob stick with it for the others as well (unless someone thinks of better)

its 2012 TXpro (trdpro) and has 92xxx give or take and I'm sure the diffs and t case have not been done, obviously 4x4

so what will i need? best fluids? safe to switch to synthetic at this mileage?any other things i may need to know?

thanks guys

 

I used Lucas 75w90. I believe all 75w90 fluid is synthetic (same idea as all 0w20 motor oil is synthetic)

Rear diff and transfer case use nice big bolts, (24mm) the front diff is a 10mm Allen head bolt and usually full of crud (the Allen head) so make sure it's cleaned out good and keep your Allen key/socket nice and square in the head of the bolt so you don't end up stripping it.

I bought a transfer pump off Amazon which made life easier. I've done all these fluids on my last 2 tacomas, and the front diff can be tricky if you rush and strip the Allen head bolt.

Read this as well
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/front-diff-and-transfer-case-oil-change-howto.147631/

 

For the front diff & transmission, a manual hand pump is almost necessary, you can do it without, but it's far messier.

Ask me how I know...

 

Auto or manual tranny?

 

Auto

 

how much oil do i need all 3 the same weight?, i searched for write ups but can't seem to find any, and ive heard that possibly because I'm at 93xxx switching to synthetic now is bad?


FLUID GURUS??

 

I use standard Redline GL-5

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

75W-90 in the axles and transfer case and Redline MT-90 GL-4 75W-90 in my transmission (which is a manual so doesn't apply to you).

 

so diffs and t case are 75-90. like stated i wanted to use amsoil full synthetic. any options on brand works best for people

 

My owner's manual calls for

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

75W-90 in the transfer case (GL-4 or GL-5) and front axle (GL-5) and straight 90 weight (GL-5) unless it's exceptionally cold (0F/-18C) then 80W or 80W-90. This was the same as my old truck and I ran the same weights. Those axles went 287K so I don't think it's that critical.

FWIW, I sometimes run just regular Castrol Hypoy-C in the axles since it's a lot cheaper and I don't mind changing more often. It tends to contaminate once in a while from creek crossing and stuff. I run nothing but MT-90 though, I find Toyota transmissions benefit from it.

 

Read the thread I linked in my earlier post. Everything you'd ever want to know about this.

As for oil brands, well

 

I use 75/90 synthetic, Mobil 1 or Lucas or whatever...you will need roughly 6 qts for all three diffs. It's a stinky, sometimes messy job but worth the money saved by DIY

 

IMHO if you like the best synthetic fluids Toyota Dealer carries the BG PRODUCTS....

https://www.bgprod.com/

I saw and read every single presentation video and technique of each product and service, did all of them at Toyota of Plano , all kind of fluids and flushes in a 4wd truck including brakes, power steering , etc All at once

they worked fine for me , once again matter of opinion and budget but I like a lot the smoothness and good service. Planning on returning on the 30,000 miles intervals for doing all of them whenever time comes, ( I don't DIY anything besides coffee

 

what link?

 

My first reply

 

I just did my '15 TRD Off Road 4x4 at 29,000 miles and used a total of almost 6 quarts of Mobile 1 75w90 synthetic.

By all means use a transfer pump. I used one sold for changing the lube in an outboard motor lower unit and it worked great.

As mentioned above you need a 24 mm socket and a 10mm hex socket (looks like an Allen wrench end on it). I did have to remove the skid plate to get to the front diff.

 

FYI ... a T-55 Torx bit actually works better than a 10mm hex when doing the front diff. I know it sounds like it doesn't make sense but trust me, it does, especially when there's crud buildup.

 

ok so here is NY in winter can def get below 0, should i be using diff fluid in any of the 3 places because of that

 

75w90.

 

The AmsOil website will tell you what you need.

 

only says transaxle and manual trans fluid