Change that diff oil

[Wizzard]

Changed the rear differential oil at 45K, it had a good amount of shavings, which is normal for an initial fluid change. I changed the transfer case oil as well, visually it looked great. Just remember, Toyota specs a straight 75 Winter transfer case oil, it costs ~$40/L and 1.1L is required. Most dealerships simply dump 75W-85 gear oil into the transfer due to the cost/availability of the Toyota straight 75 Winter transfer case oil, that is not to Toyota spec.

Same thing with the engine since manufacturers don't flush the factory fill. Mine had shavings at the 800 mile and 3K mile changes, no shavings at the third 10K mile change. When we used to build up race engines we would flush new builds even more often. Cheers.

 

[MossJenks]

Yep, you definitely have to work hard to make a Toyota last. Most don't even make it to the 50k mile mark.

 

[Wizzard]

Yep, you definitely have to work hard to make a Toyota last. Most don't even make it to the 50k mile mark.

Join date, check. Post count, check. Lack of knowledge, check.

 

[Granitesilverunner]

I drained my 2016 at 20k. It looked dark but not as bad a I thought it would. Glad I changed it though.

 

[doxiedad]

I drained my 2016 at 20k. It looked dark but not as bad a I thought it would. Glad I changed it though.

Same here. My 2016 had 21K miles when I did mine this weekend. Transfer case looked ok, but front and rear were definitely dark, and metal paste on the diff magnets

 

[TheWraith]

I only have 29,000 miles on mine and Ive already change motor oil 4 times, changed the diffs twice ... the transfer case and transmission once.
Once I hit 30k ... I'll bring it to the stealership and have them do another oil change.

Ive wheeled my 4runner soo I figured those oil changes should help with longevity of the car and its components.

 

[MNBighead]

Changed all my diff fluids at 18K and just a few weeks ago at 40K. Both times the rear had a good amount of metal "paste" on the magnetic drain plug the fluid was pretty dark. I only tow ~2800lbs max / 6x a year.

 

[MossJenks]

Join date, check. Post count, check. Lack of knowledge, check.

You're right, I only have 700,000 Toyota miles to my name. I don't know shit. Just a lot of dumb luck. I follow the maintenance schedules put out by the stupid Toyota engineers and some how nothing major ever seems to go wrong with them. Weird, I know given Toyota's reputation for poor build quality and durability.

 

[TOYO74]

Join date, check. Post count, check. Lack of knowledge, check.

Just guessing, but since you brought it up, looks like you are lacking in some or all of those criteria.

BTW: Kind of like Moss Jenks, I've been driving Toyotas since 1974 but I don't know anything about them either.

 

[Jetboy]

When the front differential in my Chevy HD 2500 seized at around 11 thousand miles the dealership drained it only to find that it had never had any gear lube in it. Like ever. The factory never put any in. No matter how bad that lube is in the first changing your Toyota, it's still better than the first one in my Chevy. My last 4Runner lasted to 220,000 miles of my ownership with nothing more than the manufacturer spec service. And had no mechanical issues in the entire time I owned it and I assume is still going today. I have no reason to believe that the engineers at Toyota are wrong on their recommendations.

 

[nglayton]

Join date, check. Post count, check. Lack of knowledge, check.

Can't take a joke, check.

 

[Wizzard]

You're right, I only have 700,000 Toyota miles to my name. I don't know shit. Just a lot of dumb luck. I follow the maintenance schedules put out by the stupid Toyota engineers and some how nothing major ever seems to go wrong with them. Weird, I know given Toyota's reputation for poor build quality and durability.

You started the smart ass comments, not me. And since when does putting X amount of miles on a car = mechanical knowledge from having torn down, inspected, and rebuilt numerous rear ends...nothing like mechanical experience that comes from using a gas pedal. And many intervals are influenced by CAFE/EPA standards, nothing like a Mobil engineer telling you the oils they are putting out now aren't optimal since they are being forced to work in a small box created by regulations. Fortunately a very productive discussion otherwise. Nice to read about everyone's miles/results on their initial change

 

[jahdai42]

Changed the rear differential oil at 45K, it had a good amount of shavings, which is normal for an initial fluid change. I changed the transfer case oil as well, visually it looked great. Just remember, Toyota specs a straight 75 Winter transfer case oil, it costs ~$40/L and 1.1L is required. Most dealerships simply dump 75W-85 gear oil into the transfer due to the cost/availability of the Toyota straight 75 Winter transfer case oil, that is not to Toyota spec.

Same thing with the engine since manufacturers don't flush the factory fill. Mine had shavings at the 800 mile and 3K mile changes, no shavings at the third 10K mile change. When we used to build up race engines we would flush new builds even more often. Cheers.

I'm about to do this at 45k. Where did you get your fluids? Did you use Toyota or other oil?

 

[pDubs]

LOL at people thinking forum join date and post counts having any correlation to knowledge of these trucks.

 

[Muzzle of Bees]

I changed my front and rear differential fluid at ~28k. As others mentioned, lots of paste on both magnets. I have not done the transfer case yet.
Getting the proper fluid for it is an interesting venture.

 

[jahdai42]

I changed my front and rear differential fluid at ~28k. As others mentioned, lots of paste on both magnets. I have not done the transfer case yet.
Getting the proper fluid for it is an interesting venture.

where did you get your fluid?

 

[Magnetic-T4R]

Good info

 

[DesertCanyons]

Mobil 1 motor and gear oil

I'm about to do this at 45k. Where did you get your fluids? Did you use Toyota or other oil?

Mobil 1 makes a good synthetic motor oil and gear oil. Get the same (correct) weight of oil as the Toyota spec'd oil. The transfer case oil may only be available from Toyota.

I changed all my oils at around 26,000 miles. The front diff was dirty and the back diff was darker. It helps to drive it in 4 wheel drive about a mile or so, just before changing the front diff and transfer case. Stir up the oil by driving it before doing the change. Get any dirt into solution so it can be drained out.

48k is too many miles between gear oil changes if you're off-roading very much.

 

[Jetboy]

I changed my diff oil at 50k - . Oil was dark ish. Minor metal paste on magnet. No indication that it needed to be changed. OEM gears are different in a variety of ways from aftermarket. They are set up with a lot more backlash and relatively shallow pattern. They probably also have significantly better polish on the teeth before they are installed. I'd guess that is the primary couple reasons that they rarely have issues, don't need the same break in, and last longer.

 

[nimby]

What mileage Toyota recommend diff, transfer case, and trans oil changes for the 4Runner?