Differential fluid change
- Thread starter toybox
- Start date
Well I finally changed it guys, and I feel better. One thing marked off my many to do's on the 4Runner before school. With 110K I don't think it had ever been changed, but at least good syn is in there now. The hardest part was getting the drain and fill plug off, they torqued those two down! The fluid was brown, but didn't smell too bad. My friend told me the worse it smells the worse the fluid is. However, the mag drain plug was covered with metal gunk. After cleaning, filling, and re-torquing the job was done. Also, I believe all Mobil 1 75-90 has the LS modifier in it. Mine did, but after looking on the Mobil website, it states that it is fine for applications with or without the LS. My 2 cents.
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A/V1
New member
Hey guys, great thread! I recently changed out my rear diff fluid with synthetic (which was simple), and want to do the front diff & transfer case. However, I can't say I'm too sure where the drain & fill plugs are for an '03 V8 4x4. I'm pretty sure which plugs to drain & fill for the transfer case (in pic), but need the reassurance of someone who's done it. If someone can post a pic of the front diff plugs, & tell me if I'm correct on the transfer case, I'd be very appreciative!
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Thanks so much to all you guys and gals that post on this entire forum! I just got through changing my rear diff fluid today. Had to have some extra muscle help to get the bolts off for the first time but we got it. The stuff was black and stunk that came out and there was quite a bit of metal on the magnet. I have the 2wd and about 21, 600 miles on it and I'm glad I went ahead and did this. I was mainly posting b/c I had read on here to use 2.6 qts, but in the manual it says for the V6 it takes 3.2 and that's about what I found out it needed as well. I could have misread a previous post, but either way, it's just smart to check the manual too.
Hey kinda new here,but do you guys getting Amsoil have a dealer yall are working with. If not I can help you get it cheaper or at dealer costs. Glad to hear you guys having good luck with it and like it. I have been running it for years. I run it from my leaf blower up to the race cars.
Hey guys, I read all through this thread and didn't see anybody really talking about what Toyota recommends for the 4runner.
In reading through the maintenance book that came with our 2005 V6 limited 2WD 4runner it says to replace the limited slip differential oil @ 30k miles (if equipped). As I understand it the auto-LSD in our 4runner is not a true LSD and is just a regular rear differential that uses the VSC system to imitate an LSD.
Also the maintenance guide never again states to change this fluid unless you are towing or off roading regularly, and even then it just says to 'check' it, IIRC.
So what's the deal here. Do I have an LSD as defined by the maintenance manual? If so should I just change it at 30k and then leave it in forever as the maintenance manual seems to suggest?
FWIW I'm not the type to get obsessive about fluid changes so I'm looking moreso for what Toyota recommends, not for what people who love changing out fluids like to do.
In reading through the maintenance book that came with our 2005 V6 limited 2WD 4runner it says to replace the limited slip differential oil @ 30k miles (if equipped). As I understand it the auto-LSD in our 4runner is not a true LSD and is just a regular rear differential that uses the VSC system to imitate an LSD.
Also the maintenance guide never again states to change this fluid unless you are towing or off roading regularly, and even then it just says to 'check' it, IIRC.
So what's the deal here. Do I have an LSD as defined by the maintenance manual? If so should I just change it at 30k and then leave it in forever as the maintenance manual seems to suggest?
FWIW I'm not the type to get obsessive about fluid changes so I'm looking moreso for what Toyota recommends, not for what people who love changing out fluids like to do.
CJ3Flyr
Super Moderator
Threxx~ said:Hey guys, I read all through this thread and didn't see anybody really talking about what Toyota recommends for the 4runner.
In reading through the maintenance book that came with our 2005 V6 limited 2WD 4runner it says to replace the limited slip differential oil @ 30k miles (if equipped). As I understand it the auto-LSD in our 4runner is not a true LSD and is just a regular rear differential that uses the VSC system to imitate an LSD.
Also the maintenance guide never again states to change this fluid unless you are towing or off roading regularly, and even then it just says to 'check' it, IIRC.
So what's the deal here. Do I have an LSD as defined by the maintenance manual? If so should I just change it at 30k and then leave it in forever as the maintenance manual seems to suggest?
FWIW I'm not the type to get obsessive about fluid changes so I'm looking moreso for what Toyota recommends, not for what people who love changing out fluids like to do.
Regular gear oil is fine for our T4R's. If you tow regularly Toyota recommends a very short 15k. I say use a synthetic every 45k-60k non/light towing. Regular non-synthetic would be fine too. If you drag a camp trailer all over the country I'd use synthetic at 30k or conventional at the recommended 15k. I read your statement about 'obsessive'. What I just suggested is a bit obsessive maybe... It's pretty close to being smart without over-doing it too much
Follow this link: http://smg.toyotapartsandservice.com/guides.php?v=1&y=2006&int_id=3
Select any 15k interval derivative then scroll down. You'll see the towing note.
:cheers:
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Thanks for the info. We don't tow anything at all though. Literally there has never been a trailer attached to our 4runner.
So it sounds like Toyota says we don't need to change the fluid ever *unless* they consider us as having an LSD, which I'm not really clear on if our auto LSD is anything more than a regular rear differential with a fancy computer program applying brake pressure to the wheel with less resistance.
So it sounds like Toyota says we don't need to change the fluid ever *unless* they consider us as having an LSD, which I'm not really clear on if our auto LSD is anything more than a regular rear differential with a fancy computer program applying brake pressure to the wheel with less resistance.
CJ3Flyr said:
Regular gear oil is fine for our T4R's. If you tow regularly Toyota recommends a very short 15k. I say use a synthetic every 45k-60k non/light towing. Regular non-synthetic would be fine too. If you drag a camp trailer all over the country I'd use synthetic at 30k or conventional at the recommended 15k. I read your statement about 'obsessive'. What I just suggested is a bit obsessive maybe... It's pretty close to being smart without over-doing it too much
Follow this link: http://smg.toyotapartsandservice.com/guides.php?v=1&y=2006&int_id=3
Select any 15k interval derivative then scroll down. You'll see the towing note.
:cheers:
CJ3Flyr
Super Moderator
Another good one; more pics
Thanks Snowbizx http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=48527
Thanks Snowbizx http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=48527
mac777daddy
New member
I hear some people complaining about noise from the rear end once they change their Diff fluid. What brand do you recommend? I have 80k on my 04 4runner and have not changed it. Its not a 4x4 so no off roading. I went by my local dealer and they want $62.00 a quart for LSD 75w x 85 fluid.
additives?
I have over 71K miles on my 2004 4x4 V8...I doubt the fluids have ever been changed....
I'm thinking about Mobil1 or Amsoil severe gear. Which one should I choose and why? And do I need to put in any additives? I seem to have read yes and no from various sources.
I don't hardly ever tow anything, and would rarely go off-roading, but I want the best for my runner
I have over 71K miles on my 2004 4x4 V8...I doubt the fluids have ever been changed....
I'm thinking about Mobil1 or Amsoil severe gear. Which one should I choose and why? And do I need to put in any additives? I seem to have read yes and no from various sources.
I don't hardly ever tow anything, and would rarely go off-roading, but I want the best for my runner
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