High mileage on the same diff and transfer case oil

[4Running22]

My idiot cousin has a 2016 4Runner and has almost 180k miles on it. I asked him if he has ever replaced his front and rear diff fluids as well as the transfer case fluids, he said no and with a smart remark he says “it still runs why should I”! In addition he hasn’t even greased the drive shafts. What would happen if he continues to run his 4Runner without changing those fluids or greasing the drive shafts?

 

[repo]

They wear out and fail and you have to replace them, obviously.

 

[DougR]

Is he driving his 4x4 mostly on level highways, very little city and no off-roading? If his max speed is 65-75 and he accelerates slowly, then loads are lighter and these components could last a long while. Keep us up-to-date on how long his differentials, driveshafts and transfer case last.

 

[1jzgte]

shit.. he needs to sell it for dirt cheap because the driveshaft is going to snap in half.. do it and call me when he's about to sell

 

[4Running22]

He’s taken it off road many times.

 

[ahtoxa11]

Most likely it would be fine for a while, honestly, though I am pretty OCD about even the smallest maintenance on my rig.

I was watching an episode on Cameroon roads and remote transportation. You'd be surprised how much abuse some vehicles can take and still run.

 

[Hammer0313]

Darwin?:crazy:

 

[02SE]

The components will last longer if properly maintained. There's no mystery involved in that.

If he keeps it for long enough, eventually the lack of maintenance will catch up with his wallet.

 

[Dynamo]

They wear out and fail and you have to replace them, obviously.

This. It's called 'preventative maintenance' for a reason.