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Rear differential oil change. Help!

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by TacomaTyler_2002, Jan 4, 2020.

  1. Jan 4, 2020 at 11:08 PM
    #1
    TacomaTyler_2002

    TacomaTyler_2002 [OP] Well-Known Member

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  2. Jan 4, 2020 at 11:12 PM
    #2
    757yotas

    757yotas Well-Known Member

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    ICI Magnum front bumer Rigid LED lighting OME lift 285/70 Nitto Exos 17" Fuel Hostage TRD Exhaust TonnauPro Cover Oil Catch Can Tint Pioneer Nav system Sound System LED lighting Euro headlights Paint
    75w90 or 80w90 is fine to use, fill it till it comes out the fill hole then plug it up and call it a day. Personally I use supertech 80w90 and use a pump in the bottle for my rear diff. T case and front diff get supertech 75w90 full syn. Dyno for the rear cuz I have a mechanical lsd
     
  3. Jan 4, 2020 at 11:17 PM
    #3
    TacomaTyler_2002

    TacomaTyler_2002 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    how many quarts should I buy?
     
  4. Jan 4, 2020 at 11:41 PM
    #4
    757yotas

    757yotas Well-Known Member

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    I always get the gallon jug but I also change my girlfriends 4runners diff out aswell. If I remember right it's right around 3 quarts I think
     
  5. Jan 5, 2020 at 3:29 AM
    #5
    Wyoming09

    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    Always remove the fill plug first!!

    It is a royal pain to drain what your working on then have getting the fill plug out turn into a week long adventure
     
  6. Jan 5, 2020 at 7:43 AM
    #6
    thenodnarb

    thenodnarb Well-Known Member

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    !!! this is important!!
     
  7. Jan 5, 2020 at 7:49 AM
    #7
    eon_blue

    eon_blue Well-Known Member

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    Yes remove fill plug first that way you aren't screwed if you drain it first and then the fill plug gets stripped. Also it's a good idea to replace the crush washers on the plugs, they're cheap even though a lot of people just reuse them.
    75w90 non synthetic, the walmart stuff works well
     
  8. Jan 5, 2020 at 8:16 AM
    #8
    dukiespice

    dukiespice New Member

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    Your local Toyota dealer should always have plenty of crush washers available always replace those. I'd recommend redline gear oil!
     
  9. Jan 6, 2020 at 10:17 AM
    #9
    devanHI

    devanHI Member

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    I just did mine a month ago, make sure to pull the fill plug first. It is a 24mm hex head bolt, DO NOT DEVIATE FROM THAT! The previous owner seemed to have used a 1" 12point to get it off and I got lucky to hammer my 24mm 6 point on and sit on a 1/2" impact lock enough to rattle it off. Spend the money on good 6 point socket sets and a stout breaker bar if you dont have an impact. Never use an drill/power tool to put parts like these back together. Check the DIY thread for exact measurements, but I bought 4 quarts incase I spilled any which ended up being a good idea. Your local dealer will have the washers you need, and in my case they also had the bolts. Make sure your truck is on jack stands at at least level. I jacked my rear end up a little higher than level to make the filling g process faster, it takes time for the oil to make it's way through all the gears and axle so there is a period at the end where it's literally a couple oz's then wait.
    All these notes will make sense when you read through the DIY Sticky on the 1st gen page.

    PS, wear long sleeves and long rubber gloves if you have them, eye protection, and a hat. This stuff gets all over, and it smells like what you would imagine dead dinosaurs to smell like. It does not come off easily.
    Edit* here is a link https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/changing-differential-fluid-a-step-by-step-how-to.24545/
     
    Colchicine likes this.
  10. Jan 6, 2020 at 8:21 PM
    #10
    cruisedon66

    cruisedon66 Well-Known Member

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    If you want to drain all the fluid.
    Jack up one end of the axle the get all the fluid to drain toward the drain.
    Lower that side.
    Then jack up the other side.
    Not really necessary. But a buddy of mine used to do his that way. : )
     
  11. Jan 17, 2020 at 7:56 AM
    #11
    TacomaTyler_2002

    TacomaTyler_2002 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Are the fill and drain plug crush washers the same size?
     
  12. Jan 17, 2020 at 8:08 AM
    #12
    geargazer

    geargazer Member

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  13. Jan 17, 2020 at 8:10 AM
    #13
    TacomaTyler_2002

    TacomaTyler_2002 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thank you!
     
  14. Jan 17, 2020 at 10:30 AM
    #14
    Wsidr1

    Wsidr1 Well-Known Member

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    Those little transfer pumps are handy, but it you have some clear hose you can just snip of the pour spout a little smaller than the hose diameter, slip the hose over the spout, tape it, and hold the container up near the bottom of the bed and drain it into the diff. Just did mine that way last weekend. Once I raise it up there, I give it one squeeze, then poke a few holes in the bottom for entry of makeup air. Otherwise, it will not flow.

    I just use the clear so I can see when the hose is well drained. Black will work too.
     
  15. Jan 18, 2020 at 1:38 AM
    #15
    Wyoming09

    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    I like my pump that sits on a 5 gallon bucket .

    I guess I am spoiled using one for so long .

    Simple matter to switch to different weight gear lube
     

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