Front Diff and Transfer Case Oil Change Howto

It won't hurt it to have it in there, no search necessary. Just use Mobil 1 and you will be perfect. It may be a little more expensive but worth it in the long run. We want our trucks to last as long as our engines do....lol

 

I just changed mine yesterday. Easy to do. However it appears my drain plug was never torqued down beyond hand tight. I have no idea how it stayed on all this time. The fill plug broke loose with some force and a nice "pop" sound. But when I went to break loose the drain plug I thought I had the wrong size socket as I had no force on it whatsoever. With the slightest turn there was some light oil seeping from it but there was no force required to do so. The heat from the transmission may have been all that kept it in place all these years.

 

I changed the front diff, transfer case and rear diff fluids on my brothers 2010 Tacoma today. All the fluids were the factory fill with 42,909 miles on them.

The rear diff and transfer case fluids looked good, almost new. The rear diff magnet did have one long funny looking sliver on it, but I’m not super worried about it, the drain plug looked ok otherwise and the fluid was clean.

The front diff fluid was nasty, I refilled it with some cheap 80w90. I’m gonna run that until the next oil change and drain it again, if it looks good I’ll put some synthetic 75w90 in it.

I used Starfire full synthetic 75w90 in the rear diff, Amsoil 75w90 (GL-4) in the transfer case and Starfire 80w90 in the front differential. The 80w90 is only $3.50/quart so I thought I’d flush the front diff out with it. I’ll probably leave it in there for 3-5k miles and dump it.

 

I wonder why the front diff is so much dirtier?

 

I’ve seen a lot of people saying that was the case. Not sure why though.

 

sub'd

 

Seems like a good plan...

 

Just did this over the weekend plus one other day because I didn’t have the hex bolt and needed Amazon to ship one. Very easy. I didn’t replace the washers but plan to next time I do the fluid change. I used Valvoline 75 90 synthetic for all three and have placed cardboard under the three over night to ensure they were not leaking. Thanks for all the information. Picture is my front differential fluid.

 

My 07 Tacoma that I used to have was like that, the first front diff fluid change was pretty bad and then the following changes looked a lot better. I guess these front diffs break in a little harder or something.

 

So wait... Is there, or is there not, enough room for that new plug with 24mm hex head on it.

 

Yes there is plenty of clearance.

 

Thanks for you write up. I have a 2.7 - 4 wheel drive - manual trans and just changed trans and diff with Mobil 1 Synthetic LS 75W-90. Can I use Walmart Super-Tec instead ? Do I need LS or is that just for auto trans ? I do it every 30,000 - wondering if I can save some $$. Thanks for any reply or link.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Super-Tech-Full-Synthetic-Gear-Lubricant-75W-90-1-Quart/309470123

 

Super-Tech will be fine. Depending on your location if it's bottled by Warren Distribution it has limited slip additive already in it (synthetic version only), it's just not advertised as having it. Depending on how your truck is equipped it might not even need the LS additive, but it won't hurt anything.

 

Thank you for your reply, expertise and knowledge. As stated "I have a 2.7 - 4 wheel drive - manual trans". Thanks again - guess I'll save some $$.

 

Just looked at a review "called Warren Distribution (Company that Makes Product) and asked them directly if this lubricant needs any Friction Modifier for positive traction and limited slip rear differentials. They told me that NO additive is necessary that this product already has the additive in it" so you hit the nail on the head. You really know your shite

 

Just did this again for rear diff and transfer case at 60k maintenance interval and fluid looked just fine. Will do front diff after i replace ECGS bearing this week.

One thing to note is I recommend using a 6 point socket so you dont round off or strip the rear diff and transfer case bolts.

Great job OP still a great reference.

 

Anyone have any experience with this oil ?

$29 Valvoline High Performance SAE 80W-90 Gear Oil 1 GA

https://www.amazon.ca/Valvoline-Hig...f=sr_1_1?keywords=80w90&qid=1578356160&sr=8-1
Planning on using it for the diff, transfer case and front diff on a 2011 tacoma trd sport

 

How did the installation go? Any problem’s?

 

Went great and truck rides nice a smooth now. No more vibes and changed fluids all in one shot.

 

I realize this is an old thread in Gen 2 section but maybe the washers and crush gaskets are the same for gen 1?

About to change out my diff fluids and T-Case on a 2001 with manual tranny.

Does anyone know if the part #'s are the same I have underlined above?

If so what about the tranny washers?