My Differential Breather Mod Photos

HB Murphy (your neighbor?) was with me when my 6 month old Tacoma differentials went under water. The front has a high breather, and its oil stayed prestine. The rear had the stock "thing" (it's not a breather) and my fluid was milky from water contamination. The mod was performed, using the same breather that the front diff. gets, and my rear diff. oil has remained uncontaminated ever since (5 years now).

Here is the video from inside HB Murphy's Tacoma (lead truck of 6)... and I am behind him. Turn on sound to hear his lady scream... too funny!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBvjeiwTN48

This is on the road to Mission Santa Maria in Baja California, less than a mile from the mission, in May, 2010. Here is a web page I made of that group trip to Baja's most impossible road, including 'The Widowmaker' grade!: http://vivabaja.com/msm2010/

 

I think everyone should do this. Even if you dont offroad.

During the past month it has been flooded a few times in my neighborhood due to heavy rain. Flooded to my garage door and my truck is parked on the street. Man it sure save me from changing the fluid.

 

You are very welcome... I try to help!

 

Ok, so this mod has been done...and done....and done. Something I've noticed was the different fittings everyone is using at the end. (where the breather would go) Looks like some people are using what looks like a cone shaped fuel filter?? Is that what it is? What is the difference between using a filter and the actual breather?

 

The 'breather' Toyota uses on the front diff, that we are using for the back diff, is simply a cap over the open end with a gap that allows air/ gasses to pass but would keep debris out. A true breather filter (like from K&N) would be great if you do a lot of dusty driving.

The main thing is to ditch the stupid one way vent on the rear diff, add the union, tube, and a two-way breather up higher than any water crossing level. Be it in the fuel door, behind the tail light lens, or like me and others, in the cubby in the side of the bed. Working great for me there for 5 years now.

 

I have been to every Lowe's, Home Cheapo and can't find the tubing required. Anyone know of any other spots to get it???

 

Sweet thanks bro, all I got is AutoZone I think around me.

 

Cool thanks again

 

Right... it was just cool to get it in yellow... really shows up well to illustrate the installation!

 

Just finished this mod. Probably the easiest mod so far. Didn't even get thru one vodka/cran...I just bought the parts everyone posts from toyotapart.com. I don't know the diff between those parts and a 2-way...I'm sure it's fine how i did it. I'm curious tho....I only have 2WD so I don't have a front diff to deal with but do I have to do this to the tranny?

 

No, only the rear diff. 2-way means a breather that allows air flow in or out, a true breather. What is in the rear from the factory is a 1-way vent and it doesn't break any vacuum. That causes contamination to occur.

 

I terminated mine behind the tail light already. Can i put a 2 way there? Can you post a pic of what I can use there? I swear I'll stop bothering you about this! Haha! sorry!!

 

If you bought the parts listed in the first post, it is a 2 way breather

 

The breather recommended in my post is no bigger than the thing that is on the differential from the factory, that is a spring loaded vent. Using that at the end of a tube is NO benefit to doing any tube extension as the same vacuum is created if you drive into a pond or stream with a hot diff! Sorry if I mis-understand you... and I don't ever feel bothered answering a question unless you never read my first post on the mod (and never used the parts I photographed and listed in the first post)... Here is the parts photo:

 

I'm confused. These ARE the parts I used. Are they NOT what you recommend?

 

Yes, on page 1 of this thread is the instructions and those photos.
It clearly says this is the 2 way breather (a true breather).
This is what you posted yesterday: "I terminated mine behind the tail light already. Can i put a 2 way there? Can you post a pic of what I can use there? I swear I'll stop bothering you about this! Haha! sorry!!"

Sounds to me like you used the factory rear diff thing (they call a breather) when you ask if you can put a 2 way breather there? That is why I repeated the photos and info that is on page 1 of this thread.

I hope everything is clear and you have a great day!

 

Looks like I should be golden...Thanks for all your help!

 

My pleasure...

 

because $

 

One of life's great mysteries!
Good springs in back is another weak link... yes it rides nice, but it is a truck and shouldn't need mods to carry the rated load.
Can't be too hard on Toyota, it is still a great vehicle even with a few issues!