Dealer or Independent to Service All Fluids and Filters?

[Cookster]

Dear All,

I recently purchased a 2003 4WD V6 with 12K miles on it, and am planning to change all of the fluids -

Transmission
Transfer Case
Front and Rear differential
Radiator coolant / anti-freeze
Motor Oil
Thermostat & Gasket would be replaced as well.

Is there anything inherently 'tricky' or difficult with any of these, well, at least for the first three listed anyway, where I would want to have a dealership perform the service than a trusted independent garage?

What about the consideration of using Toyota oils and fluids vs. non-Toyota? Should this be a factor to consider?

Thanks in advance.

Rob

 

[Martinjmpr]

I use a local independent. They have a great reputation and have always treated me well.

 

[verman84]

Dear All,

I recently purchased a 2003 4WD V6 with 12K miles on it, and am planning to change all of the fluids -

Transmission
Transfer Case
Front and Rear differential
Radiator coolant / anti-freeze
Motor Oil
Thermostat & Gasket would be replaced as well.

Is there anything inherently 'tricky' or difficult with any of these, well, at least for the first three listed anyway, where I would want to have a dealership perform the service than a trusted independent garage?

What about the consideration of using Toyota oils vs. non-Toyota? Should this be a factor to consider?

Thanks in advance.

Rob

Motor oil, transfer case, front and rear diffs are super easy to change.

Motor oil is easy, pull the plug and filter, allow to drain,replace plug, apply oil to filter, fill.

Diffs are even easier. Loosen fill bolt first to ensure it will come off. Loosen plug and allow to drain. Clean the tip of the plug as it has a magnet which catches fine metal particles in the oil. Replace the plug, fill the diff. Tighten.

I had to remove the spare tire, and the front skid plates to access everything when I did mine. While you're doing everything you should also probably grease the driveline zerk fittings since that grease is assumably 11 years old and hasnt seen much use. There should be 6 if I remember correctly.

Radiator fluids can either be partially drained and refilled, or completely flushed. Pretty easy either way and there are plenty of writeups on here or youtube.

The only thing I was reluctant to do myself at this point was the transmission fluid as I've heard its a delicate system and a time consuming/expensive process as the fluid isn't cheap and it takes a lot to completely flush. It supposedly takes a specific type of fluid and a few manufacturers make something similair but I would double check that whatever fluids the garage/dealership uses match what is specified for your vehicle.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Pretty much the only fluid I would strongly recommend you use factory stuff for is the coolant. I would get some Toyota SLLC (Super Long Life Coolant) for that.

Everything else is pretty widely available from many companies (I like Amsoil myself), including your transmission fluid as you have a "Dipstick" non-sealed transmission that takes Type IV ATF. Type IV ATF has been around for a while and a lot of companies make good equivalents for it based on what I have seen; where as the newer stuff uses WS ATF and so far no company I have spoken with has been able to show me any significant data that supports their products working.

There's nothing "tricky" per say with any of the fluids as again, you don't have a sealed transmission so checking the fluid level is very easy. Everything else either has a dipstick or you fill it to the edge of the fill hole like a differential (this is true for the front/rear differentials and the transfercase.)

 

[Atlanta_man]

Find an independent for sure. Be absolutely sure the branch you use is not a franchise.

 

[4RunnerFan]

Just another opinion... I'd feel ok leaving everything to an independent except transmission fluid and coolant. The tranny requires WS fluid (yes, I know there are lots of links about substitutes, but you can't go wrong sticking to OEM stuff), and there is a rather unique process to checking to make sure the fill level is accurate, so I took mine to the dealer for that one (before 100k since I tow a boat). Mine isn't ready for the 10 year/100k coolant flush, but when the time comes I'll probably take it back to the dealer for that, too, using only OEM coolant. Everything else (front/rear diffs, xfer case, engine oil, driveshaft lube) I do myself, so those tasks can certainly be done by an independent.

 

[NOVA46]

Pretty much the only fluid I would strongly recommend you use factory stuff for is the coolant. I would get some Toyota SLLC (Super Long Life Coolant) for that.

Seconded. You can order Toyota SLLC in a 50/50 mix on amazon. Super easy.