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Stupid Question: How to ensure truck is completely level for fluid changes?

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by ImmortalTaco, Apr 6, 2020.

  1. Apr 6, 2020 at 1:31 PM
    #1
    ImmortalTaco

    ImmortalTaco [OP] Member

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    Brian
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    I'm preparing to do my 30k maintenance, changing oil in diffs, engine, etc. and I want to make sure my truck is completely level when I do it.


    2 Questions:

    1. My truck has an Icon suspension lift, but I also have a lot of extra weight in the bed (shell, drawer/bedslide, RTT), so there is some sag in the back. If my truck was parked on 100% level ground, is the engine 100% level as well, or is it impacted by the lift/sag?


    2. I don't have a place that is 100% level in my yard, so my thought was to pull the truck up on my travel trailer leveling blocks and measure from ground to differential at each wheel, would that suffice?

    Thanks guys and sorry for the stupid questions.
     
  2. Apr 6, 2020 at 1:34 PM
    #2
    ericvega

    ericvega Well-Known Member

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    As long as the truck is mostly level you will be fine. One to two inches height difference from front to rear will only be a degree or two of tilt. If you're on level ground, you'll be good so long as you don't have some absurd amount of tilt from uneven lift.
     
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  3. Apr 6, 2020 at 1:36 PM
    #3
    tonered

    tonered bartheloni

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    Level is not that critical. Visually level is fine.

    Otherwise, you could drop a little level in to the cupholder to check.
     
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  4. Apr 6, 2020 at 1:36 PM
    #4
    Dagosa

    Dagosa Well-Known Member

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    Don’t worry about it. The dipstick difference is small as determined by weight distribution. Being parked on a hill creates a difference much greater then loading the car or truck.

    Even checking oil on a hill can tell you how much your oil level changes .....if you park on the same hill and in the same incline everytime you check.
     
    Last edited: Apr 6, 2020
    Chew likes this.
  5. Apr 7, 2020 at 4:59 AM
    #5
    Big tall dave

    Big tall dave Well-Known Member

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    I think most people just eye-ball it, it’s not so critical that it needs to be perfectly level.
    If you’re really OCD about it, you could always put a small carpenters level against the frame, crossmember or axle and jack up each corner until it’s perfect.....
     
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  6. Apr 7, 2020 at 5:03 AM
    #6
    rnish

    rnish Well-Known Member

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    If you don’t trust your eyeballs use a carpenter’s bubble level or a fishing weight on a string.
     
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