Differential fluid change

[NCSCOTT]

I am about to change over these fuilds and have nver done this before. It seems pretty straight forward, but a few questions regardless. If I wanted to put synthetic in my diff and t case, what do I need to do besides drain out the regular oil that is alreayd in there? I assume there will still be some regular oil left in there regardless of how long I let it drain, so will putting in the synthetic and having these two essentially mix create a problem or can the exist in harmony?

This is the original fluid from 122K so anything at this point will help but I want to do it right.
Also, some guys seem to be changing out their washers, but with no leaks at all, I can just go ahead and reuse the ones that are alreaydy there right?

Also, I have done some work under my 4 runner without jacking it up and it's quite easy to do. Does this need to be done? It seems they could easily be done with the runner on the ground.

Thanks everyone.

There will be NO problem with the small amount of old fluid left in the diffs or T-case. You can mix synthetics with most oils. I have reused my oil pan washers for 50k miles+ on both of mine. No leaks ever. The crush washers are pretty cheap thou. If you can get them, change them. I would jack it up if I you have jack stands. It always makes it easier with more room to work. DO NOT crawl under a vehicle with only the jack holding it. Once on the jack stands I even give the vehicle a good shove and pull to make sure it is stable. If it is going to fall let it fall without me under it. But I would guess it could be done on the ground, especially if you have a small pump and hose to get the oil to the fill hole.

Good Luck.

 

[NCSCOTT]

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

Amsoil severe gear is great stuff, Mobil 1 is just easier to get at any autoparts store. My 04 has 106K and I have only changed it once to Mobil 1 @ 50k. I need to change it again. I have a slight whine from the rear axle between 50-60MPH. I was hoping the better oil might help quite the axle. I was going to go with the severe gear 75w-90 or the Long Life Synthetic 75w-90. The Long life is about $2 cheaper a quart and has the same change interval (100k Miles normal driving) as the severe gear. I do not believe any additive is need. We have a brake base traction control system and not a true limiting slip. The severe gear has less or no wax content and there for flows better in cold temps, at least that is my understanding.

I am about the same as you, very little towing, the rare utility trailer or jetski, which isn't going to hurt these vehicles at all.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

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

Amsoil severe gear is great stuff, Mobil 1 is just easier to get at any autoparts store. My 04 has 106K and I have only changed it once to Mobil 1 @ 50k. I need to change it again. I have a slight whine from the rear axle between 50-60MPH. I was hoping the better oil might help quite the axle. I was going to go with the severe gear 75w-90 or the Long Life Synthetic 75w-90. The Long life is about $2 cheaper a quart and has the same change interval (100k Miles normal driving) as the severe gear. I do not believe any additive is need. I agree. We have a brake base traction control system and not a true limiting slip. Correct. The severe gear has less or no wax content and there for flows better in cold temps, at least that is my understanding.

I am about the same as you, very little towing, the rare utility trailer or jetski, which isn't going to hurt these vehicles at all.

Pete, I agree NCSCOTT 100%. The Mobil1 vs Amsoil question, for your stated use, comes down to do you want order online or go to the parts store?

It's been my experience it can take 2-3 parts stores as many times the Advanced will only have a few quarts on hand, seldom all that is needed. Notice, I chose to not say say how many bottles to buy, it's because I can't remember. It's 7 or 8 AND elsewhere in this thread.
:cheers:

 

[Pete]

Thanks guys for the info. I suppose I'll go with Mobil 1 since Amsoil is $12.75/qt and I can get Mobil 1 locally for $9.29/qt.

 

[Brian32]

tring to figure out what grade oil i need to change my front and rear diff..

2002 sport

dealer is telling me 80w90 for both

the owners man say 75w-90 for the fron and sae90 for rear

which should i go with?

 

[Koz]

tring to figure out what grade oil i need to change my front and rear diff..

2002 sport

dealer is telling me 80w90 for both

the owners man say 75w-90 for the fron and sae90 for rear

which should i go with?

Either one will be fine. If you want the best and probably will never have to change;

AMSOIL - SEVERE GEAR® Synthetic Extreme Pressure (EP) Lubricant 75W-140 (SVO)

Koz

 

[05 4runner]

Hey guys. my 2005 SR5 4x4 is coming up on 90K and I need to change the oil, plugs, oem air filter and timing belt so I thought since I had my runner for 2 yrs and put 50k on it I should change the front and rear diff's along with the xfer case.

Can some one tell me what weight and how much I will need to do each job? I've towed my Ski's and Race car to the track since owning it so I'm sure the oils bad. Thinking about Amsoil, Royal Purple or Mobil 1.

Thank you
Judd

 

[OrdnanceMarine]

Hey guys. my 2005 SR5 4x4 is coming up on 90K and I need to change the oil, plugs, oem air filter and timing belt so I thought since I had my runner for 2 yrs and put 50k on it I should change the front and rear diff's along with the xfer case.

Can some one tell me what weight and how much I will need to do each job? I've towed my Ski's and Race car to the track since owning it so I'm sure the oils bad. Thinking about Amsoil, Royal Purple or Mobil 1.

Thank you
Judd

Seems like you'll want to have 8 qts on hand to do all three. Consensus seems to be that Amsoil is probably the best oil but the Mobil 1 is good stuff and will do the job. As mentioned earlier in the thread, you might either have to plan ahead to get all 8 qts at one store (since most stores don't seem to stock that much) or hit multiple stores. In my case I'm getting three qts at a time at Autozone. For those trying to maximize, they have a deal where you get $20 off if you make 5 transactions of $20 or more. Three quarts is all they stock and is enough to break the $20 minimum to get me towards the $20 off.

Word of advice: be sure to break the torque on the fill bolt before you remove the drain bolt. Nothing is as fun as draining something and finding out you can't fill it back up. Had this happen when putting an engine block heater in my Si. Drained the coolant and then realized I couldn't get the freeze plug out without risking slipping and denting my thinwalled stainless header. Had to do the work of draining and filling the coolant twice not to mention putting the car up on stands to get access to the back of the engine. :bravo: Wasted about 2 hours. Learned my lesson.

 

[05 4runner]

Seems like you'll want to have 8 qts on hand to do all three. Consensus seems to be that Amsoil is probably the best oil but the Mobil 1 is good stuff and will do the job. As mentioned earlier in the thread, you might either have to plan ahead to get all 8 qts at one store (since most stores don't seem to stock that much) or hit multiple stores. In my case I'm getting three qts at a time at Autozone. For those trying to maximize, they have a deal where you get $20 off if you make 5 transactions of $20 or more. Three quarts is all they stock and is enough to break the $20 minimum to get me towards the $20 off..

Is this with the Autozone rewards card? If so I have one and will do it that way. I never knew about spending x amount at a time. I just knew sometimes they would be like hey you have a credit, want to use it

So just to be sure what weight Mobil 1 should I pick up from the front/rear diff's and xfer case
..I wonder how much there going to charge for a timing belt.

Judd

 

[JackOSU]

So just to be sure what weight Mobil 1 should I pick up from the front/rear diff's and xfer case Judd

I picked up 7 qts of 75x90 of Mobil 1 syn from Auto Zone last week and had mine done. I had about half a bottle left over from doing all 3. Each bottle was $8.99.

 

[OrdnanceMarine]

Yup, Autozone rewards card. If using Mobil1 then you'll want the 75w90LS.

 

[makristal]

Do all 4th Gen 4runners have a front Differential? Or only specific models?

 

[NCSCOTT]

Do all 4th Gen 4runners have a front Differential? Or only specific models?

Any 4th gen model can be either 4WD or 2WD. SR5, Sport Edition, or Limited. Depending on where you live a 2WD can be harder to find. Up north, say MI or Canada, you would not see a 2WD SUV on a lot. Down here in NC I see a fairly equal mix. I own one of each, See signature below. About the only one I can think of that I would think would be 4x4 only would be the rare 2009 Trail Editions. The Urban Editions, I think came both 2WD or 4WD.

 

[Zuke]

Do all 4th Gen 4runners have a front Differential? Or only specific models?

Only 4wd models.

 

[pdx650]

Valvoline

I'm using valvoline 80w90 in my rear diff, front diff, and t. case.

Front diff fill/check plug: 10mm allen key socket bit.
Front diff drain: 12mm allen key socket bit.

 

[MICA4R]

I ended up putting almost 3 Quarts of MOBILE1 SYN 75W-90 with LS (limited slip)

Synthetic Fluids Toyota 4Runner Information Says 2.6 but I got the fill level to be flush with the bottom of the fill hole with about 2.9. I dont think it will make a diff (haha no pun intended)

The fluid was disgusting smelled like hell and was really greenish/dark sparkled in the sun. The magnet was full of Shavings. Re-used the same washers no leakage after getting it up to 90 MPH. Feels a lot smoother on turns. (could be placebo effect)

EDIT: After gravity did its job getting the old fluid out I jacked up the driver's side rear wheel and spun it by hand with the trans in N :cowboy: This helped drain out another cup of old diff Fluid, just to be complete.

 

[emoto]

75/140 gear oil

I have some left over 75/140 I got for my 12GS moto. I'm assssuming it would be fine for use in my diffs? Anyone heard otherwise? I'm a noob, I admit it. Oil threads are great....

 

[KB084RUNNER]

I have some left over 75/140 I got for my 12GS moto. I'm assssuming it would be fine for use in my diffs? Anyone heard otherwise? I'm a noob, I admit it. Oil threads are great....

Don't use it in the Tcase. You need 75w90 LS in there. In the rear it should be Ok.

 

[KB084RUNNER]

I ended up putting almost 3 Quarts of MOBILE1 SYN 75W-90 with LS (limited slip)

Synthetic Fluids Toyota 4Runner Information Says 2.6 but I got the fill level to be flush with the bottom of the fill hole with about 2.9. I dont think it will make a diff (haha no pun intended)

The fluid was disgusting smelled like hell and was really greenish/dark sparkled in the sun. The magnet was full of Shavings. Re-used the same washers no leakage after getting it up to 90 MPH. Feels a lot smoother on turns. (could be placebo effect)

EDIT: After gravity did it's job getting the old fluid out I jacked up the driver's side rear wheel and spun it by hand with the trans in N :cowboy: This helped drain out another cup of old diff Fluid, just to be complete.

My 2008 4x4 always takes about 3.5 qts in the rear diff.

 

[4 Runner_2004]

changed Rear Diff this afternoon, 2004 V8 146,000km, don't know when the last chang, ex-owner took care the truck very well, guss must be changed. my truck have never tow something.i drive 40,000km, so thinking it is the time for diff oil change,the oil colour looks lik greenish grey. prety easy to chang rear, i'm going to chang front and TC next week.

thank you very much for those who provide very usefull info.