Front and Rear Diff fluid change

[MTN4RNR]

Truth be told, it'll probably last 300K if you never touched it lol. I over maintain, always have, always will. Cheap peace of mind as far as i'm concerned.

100% agree. Just giving another perspective for someone researching the subject. Totally understand the preference of changing sooner than later, but I don't want people to freak out thinking they have ruined their baby if they didn't change it at 5k hahaha. But I'm with ya. Same reason I just changed my t-case with OEM fluids. Cheap peace of mind.

 

[2016 4Runner SR5]

100% agree. Just giving another perspective for someone researching the subject. Totally understand the preference of changing sooner than later, but I don't want people to freak out thinking they have ruined their baby if they didn't change it at 5k hahaha. But I'm with ya. Same reason I just changed my t-case with OEM fluids. Cheap peace of mind.

T-case will be done at probably 25,000-30,000 with OEM fluid unless someone comes out with an actual equivalent fluid by then. As of now, people are just using what's "cheaper and should work just fine" and that's not OK with me.

 

[MTN4RNR]

T-case will be done at probably 25,000-30,000 with OEM fluid unless someone comes out with an actual equivalent fluid by then. As of now, people are just using what's "cheaper and should work just fine" and that's not OK with me.

Did mine at 30k and it was clear and beautiful. I had instant regret that I changed it, and knowing now I would have waited till 60k. Again, personal preference from my experience. I put Redline 75w90 in at the time, and just swapped back to OEM at 57k.

 

[2016 4Runner SR5]

Did mine at 30k and it was clear and beautiful. I had instant regret that I changed it, and knowing now I would have waited till 60k. Again, personal preference from my experience. I put Redline 75w90 in at the time, and just swapped back to OEM at 57k.

Yeah I'll likely have the same regret lol. I have to say though, when I drain my engine oil at 5K and it's still nice and clean rather than black at 10K, i'm perfectly fine with that. I believe in replacing things before they're worn out. Not replacing things when new, but why wait until they're at the end of their life and no longer protecting like they once did? 10K just doesn't sit well with me.

 

[1000MPH]

Truth be told, it'll probably last 300K if you never touched it lol. I over maintain, always have, always will. Cheap peace of mind as far as i'm concerned.

My friend’s T100 blew the rear diff at 450,000. He never changed the fluid.

 

[pDubs]

You're absolutely right BUT have you serviced your diffs yet? At 11K my oil was quite dirty and had quite a bit of metal in it. I could see the silver swirl in the drain pan which is what everyone finds when changing their oil early. Oil is cheap, diffs aren't. Why not get that crap out of there? Same reason I do engine oil changes every 5K miles, because oil can never be too clean.

Exactly my point. I changed mine at 11K and wish I changed it sooner. I will likely change it every 15K which is about 2 years for me give or take. My 2016 has about 14,400 miles on it, 85%-90% highway.

Diff fluid every 15k miles? Wtf dude.

I get wanting to maintain your truck. There's proper maintenance and then there's flat out being a psychotic and adding to the terrible environmental impacts of over-using and "recycling" oil.

I do my diffs every 50k. I've had multiple 4runners and always have done it this way. My 5th gen has 94k on it now. Just did the diffs and t-case for the second time.

Also, oil turns black from heat cycles and additives, it doesn't mean the oil was "shot" at 15k miles.

 

[2016 4Runner SR5]

Diff fluid every 15k miles? Wtf dude.

I get wanting to maintain your truck. There's proper maintenance and then there's flat out being a psychotic and adding to the terrible environmental impacts of over-using and "recycling" oil.

I do my diffs every 50k. I've had multiple 4runners and always have done it this way. My 5th gen has 94k on it now. Just did the diffs and t-case for the second time.

Also, oil turns black from heat cycles and additives, it doesn't mean the oil was "shot" at 15k miles.

So you change your engine oil at 15K? Meh, you go way too long, I change it early. Guess we balance each other out. Regardless of anyone else's opinion, I'll change my oil when I see fit.

 

[pDubs]

So you change your engine oil at 15K? Meh, you go way too long, I change it early. Guess we balance each other out. Regardless of anyone else's opinion, I'll change my oil when I see fit.

I am speaking about diff fluid. My engine oil gets done every 6-7k or so using synthetic 0w-20.

If you are doing diff fluid changes every 15k miles you should be changing your engine oil every 500 miles. :dance:

 

[2016 4Runner SR5]

I am speaking about diff fluid. My engine oil gets done every 6-7k or so using synthetic 0w-20.

If you are doing diff fluid changes every 15k miles you should be changing your engine oil every 500 miles. :dance:

Engine every 5, diffs every 15-20, t case every 25-30, tranny probably about 35 ish Again, cheap insurance for me. I don't care if the oil is still like new, fact is, it's not new and does have wear. Not to mention I put maybe 7k a year on it so not like I will rack up these miles very quickly.

 

[elnip]

Also, oil turns black from heat cycles and additives, it doesn't mean the oil was "shot" at 15k miles.

Ok, I will give you that. I didn't send it to be analyzed and have definitive proof. However in comparison to my Taco's diffs the 4R diffs were visibly in need of service at a quarter of the mileage. Maybe the gears were set on the tight side and during break in the heat generated was the main contributor of the black color. The amount of metal on the magnet seems to back up the setup being tight.

 

[1000MPH]

Okay, I need to order Toyota Super Long Life coolant (00272SLLC2) and I might break down and actually order the 75W fluid (08885-81080) for my next change. Who sells it? My local said they wouldn't order it last time I checked.

 

[sandcrawler]

Okay, I need to order Toyota Super Long Life coolant (00272SLLC2) and I might break down and actually order the 75W fluid (08885-81080) for my next change. Who sells it? My local said they wouldn't order it last time I checked.

my local has it... for $80 a can!! nope nope.

you can find it at some of the online dealers so long as they're among the ones who will ship fluids.

 

[Lester Lugnut]

According to this online seller, the product is no longer available:

https://parts.olathetoyota.com/oem-parts/toyota-transfer-gear-oil-lf-0888581080

I would be willing to bet that many new 4Rs never came from the factory with this stuff in the DIFF.

If you look around, the cost of 75W-85 is outrageous. The cheapest I've seen is Redline at around $17.49 a qt.

75W-90 works fine for me.

 

[2016 4Runner SR5]

According to this online seller, the product is no longer available:

https://parts.olathetoyota.com/oem-parts/toyota-transfer-gear-oil-lf-0888581080

I would be willing to bet that many new 4Rs never came from the factory with this stuff in the DIFF.

If you look around, the cost of 75W-85 is outrageous. The cheapest I've seen is Redline at around $17.49 a qt.

75W-90 works fine for me.

He's not talking about gear oil, he's talking about transfer case fluid which is straight 75W oil. As far as the 75-90 in the diffs, you're absolutely right. Mobil 1 full synthetic 75-90 for me.

 

[MTN4RNR]

Okay, I need to order Toyota Super Long Life coolant (00272SLLC2) and I might break down and actually order the 75W fluid (08885-81080) for my next change. Who sells it? My local said they wouldn't order it last time I checked.

my local has it... for $80 a can!! nope nope.

you can find it at some of the online dealers so long as they're among the ones who will ship fluids.

Bought mine here for less than the dealer and it's the real deal.

Click here for liquid gold

 

[1000MPH]

Bought mine here for less than the dealer and it's the real deal.

Click here for liquid gold

Thanks all. With shipping over $70. I might have to try the local dealer again. Hmm maybe call Toyota and complain about availability.

 

[MTN4RNR]

Thanks all. With shipping over $70. I might have to try the local dealer again. Hmm maybe call Toyota and complain about availability.

No reason a dealer can't order it in. It's just like any other part.

 

[1000MPH]

No reason a dealer can't order it in. It's just like any other part.

Several years ago I made an online order from my local including 2 cans of this. They called to tell me they wouldn’t order it. Worse was the local Lexus dealer that wouldn’t order this or even the 0w-20 motor oil.

 

[MTN4RNR]

Several years ago I made an online order from my local including 2 cans of this. They called to tell me they wouldn’t order it. Worse was the local Lexus dealer that wouldn’t order this or even the 0w-20 motor oil.

I'm not typically an "I'll take it to corporate" kind of guy, but thats ridiculous. If they won't order the parts for your vehicle, there is no reason to own it. I would be really surprised if someone higher up the chain concurred with the dealership that they "can't order the parts".

 

[alphabeast]

I'm not typically an "I'll take it to corporate" kind of guy, but thats ridiculous. If they won't order the parts for your vehicle, there is no reason to own it. I would be really surprised if someone higher up the chain concurred with the dealership that they "can't order the parts".

The fact that multiple dealerships are reluctant or flat out refuse to order the special stuff is a strong indicator that they do not use the Toyota labeled TC oil. So if they don't use it, I would love to know what they do use to replace TC oil.

On a side note, I called my local dealer to get a quote on how much they would charge to replace my TC oil (they do the labor and fluid). They came back with a price of $65.00. When I asked them if they use the Toyota labeled TC oil (I referenced the actual product/part number), there was much confusion, but eventually they came back with "Yes that is what we use". Based on the cost, I find this very hard to believe....

I personally am going to use the Ravenol oil to replace my TC oil. I see no reason why this product would be an issue (from a requirement standpoint and a warranty standpoint).