Originally Posted by Thai

Something else to think about...at least in the 4th gen 4runners, there are 1 to 2 breather tubes in the engine bay, on the driver's side of the engine block. If you have a V6, then you should have 2 breather tubes (with silver caps). If you have a V8, then you should have only one. The transmission and transfer case do NOT have breather extension. They have breather caps just like the rear axle. So, Toyota only extended the front differential...the other stuff is for your weekend projects!

Here is some good info on the FJ forums: SCUBA Driver Transmission, Transfer Case, Rear Differential & E-Locker Breather MOD - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum

I would highly recommend the above mod(s) if you go off-roading a lot or do mudding/river crossings.

Originally Posted by RanchoRunner

Just an FYI: I installed a rear diff breather in my '07 FJC, running it inside the jack compartment like Doozi....be aware that when the rear diff heats up (like climbing in the mountains, or towing), you will get the gear oil odor in the passenger compartment. I used a small Spectre cone-type breather filter from AutoZone at the terminus, as was done by a number of other FJC owners.

Originally Posted by 4boer2

I just completed the breather yesterday and anyone in Chicago knows that the 4" of rain we got made some massive puddles, so I had to "test" the breather out. Well, my install may have failed the test. Driving around town I can hear a faint hum. (think of a five year old mmmmmmmmm). Here is what I think it might be:

1. Driving through puddles at speed ruined the new front bearings
2. Water has gotten through my connection at the diff. (cap is at the gas filler neck) However, I dropped the spare and checked but the hose was still tight and not rubbing any spinning thing. So does water in the diff oil make any noise?
3. The extended volume of the diff that I created just naturally reverberates noise. I really hope this is the case.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Good Times

I'd like to say that I've successfully done the rear diff breather mod on the new 4th gen 4runner. The existing parts worked as I expected.

Expected time: 1 hr or so including trying to take pix.

Tools required:
13mm and 14mm Box/Open wrenches
Screwdriver
Wire Cutter
hot water

Image of the stock rear diff (looks the same like any toyota!)


Use a 14mm wrench to remove the stock breather. Before removing the breather completely make sure to clean around the breather so you don't get anything side.


Should look like this when you remove the breather..


Add the union into the differential housing. Should tighten down but will have a thread or two shown. (Use 13mm wrench)


Attach the hose. Make sure you have enough slack so when the diff is at it's lowest point you still have enough hose for it to move.


Run the hose along any route to a higher point in the vehicle. I chose to run it into the gas cap area which is pretty darn high. If the water goes that high I'm already in trouble anyway!



Dip the other end of the hose in hot water to let the rubber hose expand. Then insert the new breather and clamp it down. Find a place to secure it and you're done!

Originally Posted by Good Times

30 min sounds about right... just takes abit longer when you try and take some pix... esp taking gloves off so your camera doesn't get dirty

well i did think about using wd-40 but i just didn't want any unkonwn fluids to get inside the hose. figure if i used hot water, the water will evaporate whereas the wd-40 will stay on the hose for a long time... hence might mix w/ the oil inside... so i figure ehe hot water should do the trick

actually the 3/8" was fine for me. dunno but hey if it works, it works!

1> the entire length of my hose was about 5 ft and 2 inches or so... i think if you have 18" of space hose you're okay... (don't rem exactly but i did read somewhere that if you have about 5-6ft of hose from the diff to the gas cap then you're fine...

2> i put the breather to the 8 o'clock area. i made a hole about 1/2 the size of the hose and just forced it in there. i purposely left alot of slack in the gas cap area because i didn't want the breather to get stuck on the wall of the gas cap. that breather has to be able to move (i.e. spring inside to let air out) so make sure it's free to move around. (hence the question 1... have extra )..

3> yeah the hissing was normal... nothing to be worried about

Originally Posted by Mark_BC

Also I read that the breather increases power

Originally Posted by NAKaveli71

So I found this video about relocating the rear diff and e-locker using the ARB kit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGelulaLo90 and was wondering if the guy couldn't have just used the ARB breather manifold to also connect the e-locker line like he did with the rear diff line? (fast forward to minute 12:20). In the vid it looks like he relocates the e-locker line using the oem breather next to the ARB breather manifold...