Gear (diff) oil?

mavrick1903

mavrick1903

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Suggestions? Planning on doing both front and rear. Looking for brand and weight (if something other than 75w90)

Also gasket source?


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mavrick1903 said:
Suggestions? Planning on doing both front and rear. Looking for brand and weight (if something other than 75w90)

Also gasket source?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I got all the crush washers from the dealer. Do the transfer case while your at it. Make sure you have the write hex socket for that. 10 mm I think. Lots of threads here with instructions, torques, part numbers etc.

Oh, and take out the fill plug first!
 
Amsoil makes a 75 90 that has a crushable container. No pump needed for the diffs. It's real easy to use. It costs a little more but I joined for 6 months and got dealer pricing, ordered 10 quarts (I have two 4runners) and free shipping.
 
Also do yourself a favor and get a couple extra bolts, particularly the 10mm hex drain bolt. I’ve done this twice and both times that bolt completely stripped out. The first time a mechanic friend used an air chisel to break it loose, and the second time I was by myself and was able to break it loose with a mallet and chisel like tool. And not to insult your intelligence, but make sure you get the fill bolt loose before you do the drain.

Also used Mobil 1 synthetic 75w-90.

And amazon for gaskets. Best price. I paid 12 for all of them a few months ago. Now 8.50!

https://www.amazon.com/GENUINE-TOYOTA-TRANSFER-DIFFERENTIAL-SERVICE/dp/B017V4BAXI/ref=mp_s_a_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1541053998&sr=8-1-fkmr0&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=GENUINE+TOYOTA+GASKET+KIT+FOR+TRANSFER+AND+DIFFERENTIAL+SERVIC
 
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If you decide to go all the way and change the fuilds the info below should help.

In addition, its best to go with sythetic fluid as others have said...i used Castrol Syntrax (full synthetic) in all places and changed my diff fluids at 30k. When i drained the fluid it came out a clean amber color with no burnt smell...my luck i guess. My driving style is laidback, hardly ever go above 2k rpms, and used the 4x4 mode twice in the last Chicago winter of 2017.

I did all the fluid chages last weekend and couldnt find castrol syntrax 75w-90 on sale, so i had to switch to valvoline (full synthetic).

Transfer case 1.5 qt (75w-90)
Front Diff 1.6qt (75w-90)
Rear Diff 3.2qt (75w-90)

Front shield - 12mm
Front Diff - 10mm hex
Transfer case - 24mm
Rear Diff - 24mm
 
I just did mine recently...

I go for Mobil 1 75w-90 in all 3. OME gaskets form the dealer are the way to go.
 
Mobil1 75w90 in mines.

I have yet to replace the crush washers. (gasp).

Put the hex socket in. Then hammer it in, even if you think its in. It needs to bottom out so you don't strip the bolt.
 
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No matter which brand of fluid you go with, use synthetic. I used Mobil 1, it works fine and my mileage actually went up about 1 mpg.

My fill and drain plugs came out easily. They were in good shape and I'm sure I was the first one to change the diff fluids. All it took was a breaker bar to loosen the plugs and they popped right out. I ordered a kit off Amazon that had all the crush washers I needed for the 2 diffs and the T-case. The most tedious part was pumping the fluid into each one.

A very easy job.
 
Synthetic shouldn't be a requirement, plenty of good dino oils out there.

The most important part is changing it regularly.
 
Billynath1988 said:
Please read this article by the people who build these diffs professionally for our purpose.

https://eastcoastgearsupply.com/ft-2536-ecgs-gear-oil-recommendation.html


I also have mobile 1 75w90 Devlac in my diffs.. Its more about changing it often and regularly then what you use.
Click to expand...

Interesting article, thanks. Says the only synthetic he would use is Amsoil Severe Gear or Redline, are comparable to his fav Lucas with limited slip additive. Amsoil Severe Gear is fine with me, Amsoil has topnotch products and buying it supports local small business.

Front diff, the past four I've done in 4Runners, Tundra, Taco I haven't pulled the front drain plug. If it won't come out with a breaker bar I leave it in and use a transfer pump to remove the old fluid via the fill plug. Absolutely astonishing Toyota still has those ridiculous 10mm Allen plugs on the front diff, a known problem for 40 years.

You can swap a 24mm from the t-case in for the front diff fill plug, the drain plug no. I use 6-pt 24mm for removal.
 
Billynath1988 said:
Please read this article by the people who build these diffs professionally for our purpose.

https://eastcoastgearsupply.com/ft-2536-ecgs-gear-oil-recommendation.html


I also have mobile 1 75w90 Devlac in my diffs.. Its more about changing it often and regularly then what you use.
Click to expand...

I have no dog in this fight, but I'm not sure I'm buying that article. I know Valvoline Synpower passes the SAE J2360 spec, otherwise known as "The king of gear oil specifications". Amsoil Severe Gear (what I use) also passes this spec. If I remember correctly, Lucas does not. But my memory isn't the greatest. EDIT: Just checked Lucas' website. It appears neither their dino or synthetic gear oil lists this specification at this time, for whatever that's worth.

Anyway, here is an article on it if anyone's interested:

The king of gear oil specifications: SAE J2360
 
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