Differential question

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FIRETAIL-AR

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2005 SR5 V8 4WD. I hear folks talking about three differentials, which is confusing me. There is obviously one in the rear. What other two are there? The one where the transaxle is could also be considered one I guess.

Even the Chilton manual refers to two, not three.

Is there one that is hidden by the skid plate?

Thanks.
 
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FIRETAIL-AR said:
2005 SR5 V8 4WD. I hear folks talking about three differentials, which is confusing me. There is obviously one in the rear. What other two are there? The one where the transaxle is could also be considered one I guess.

Even the Chilton manual refers to two, not three.

Is there one that is hidden by the skid plate?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

I haven't heard people talk about 3 differentials. There is the front and rear and the transfer case which is always grouped in with them because people change all 3 at the same time.
 
FIRETAIL-AR said:
2005 SR5 V8 4WD. I hear folks talking about three differentials, which is confusing me. There is obviously one in the rear. What other two are there? The one where the transaxle is could also be considered one I guess.

Even the Chilton manual refers to two, not three.

Is there one that is hidden by the skid plate?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Technically vehicles that have a rear drive or 4wd platform typically don't have a "transaxle". The 4Runner has a front axle, rear axle, transfer case and transmission. All 4 of those are very separate pieces. A 'transaxle' is usually part of a front drive car where the transmission and the drive axle unit are one. How do you tell the difference? As a rule count the oil. In a front drive car the axle fluid and transmission fluid are the same as in one fill, one drain point.


The 4Runner uses 4 driveline oils/fluids; transmission, t-case, front axle and rear axle.


As for the "3" differentials: The 4th gen, some 3rds and the Limited model 5th gens have a true differential in the t-case in addition to the F & R axle differentials. The magic of the t-case diff is that you can drive it in 4wd in high traction situations with out driveline binding or damage to the 4wd system. It behaves like an AWD. This mode is great roads that are wet, partially snow covered etc. I use mine in 4lo at the boat ramp all the time and love it. It makes pulling the boat so easy on my T4R and even though it's a pretty high traction scenario I can take advantage of some extra traction and better gearing without driveline binding like a regular part-time 4wd would have. For max off-road traction these t-cases have a center diff-lock. When it's locked they perform identically to a part-time 4wd unit in 4wd.

This thread is an oldie but goodie: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/general-discussions/12-01-up-4wd-system-trac-vsc-torsen-t-3-a.html
:cheers:
 
Last edited:
CJ did a good job of summing it up.

Basically, the transfer case on a 4Runner is referred to as the "center differential", at least it is around these parts. I can't say for sure what it says in the owner's manual without checking.

I was a little confused by this initially because on my old Grand Cherokee, the transfer case used the same tranny fluid that they tranny used. On the 4Runner, the center diff takes the same gear oil as the other differentials. I don't know if that is why it is referred to as a differential rather than a transfer case, but that's how I remember it at least.

To answer the OP's question, the front diff is covered by a skid plate, the center and rear diffs are not.
 
Thanks for the help. Follow-up question.

Does anyone have a picture of the front differential that shows the check and fill spots? I am sure it is under my skid plate, but I would like to see what I am in for before I pull the plate. Thanks.
 
It's above the second piece (from the front) of the skid plate. Both the drain and the fill holes are on the driver-side of the differential and both take a 10mm "allen" wrench. They are pretty easy to see once that skid plate is off.

~Doozi
 
Doozi said:
It's above the second piece (from the front) of the skid plate. Both the drain and the fill holes are on the driver-side of the differential and both take a 10mm "allen" wrench. They are pretty easy to see once that skid plate is off.
~Doozi
Click to expand...

I just did all three this weekend. And like Doozi says, pretty easy to spot when you have the skid plate off. There are only 4 bolts that hold the plate on. Don't forget to grease the front and rear drive shafts!
 
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