How can I tell which Diff I have?

[jjdbike]

Hi folks

I have a 2011 SR5. Apparently (as the dealership told me) there were different three different differential combinations available (i.e., a couple different limited slip options and a rear dif lock). Is this true? How can I tell which one I have? Can I look it up on line by the VIN number?

I have attached two photos of buttons I have that might be a hint of what type diff I have. Do they help?

The main reason I want to know now is I need to know what kind of fuid I need to service them. My dealership quoted me four different prices (different each time I asked). I just showed up for the scheduled service and was quited over $200 more than I was quoted yesterday when I made the appointment. I was so pissed I left & made an appointment w/ my local neighborhood shope. The down side is this engine oil change, front & rear differential and transfer case service will not show up on the toyota computer system if there is ever a warrentee issue. I bought a 5 year extended “bumper to bumper” warrentee when I bouth it this January.

Clearly the other reason I want to know is for potential off road & snow perfomance. I wish I’d have know about the different difs before I bought this but that’s crying over spilled milk.

Can anyone help me here w/ what diff configuration I have please?

Thanks!
JD

 

[malx77]

Hi folks



I have a 2011 SR5. Apparently (as the dealership told me) there were different three different differential combinations available (i.e., a couple different limited slip options and a rear dif lock). Is this true? How can I tell which one I have? Can I look it up on line by the VIN number?



I have attached two photos of buttons I have that might be a hint of what type diff I have. Do they help?



The main reason I want to know now is I need to know what kind of fuid I need to service them. My dealership quoted me four different prices (different each time I asked). I just showed up for the scheduled service and was quited over $200 more than I was quoted yesterday when I made the appointment. I was so pissed I left & made an appointment w/ my local neighborhood shope. The down side is this engine oil change, front & rear differential and transfer case service will not show up on the toyota computer system if there is ever a warrentee issue. I bought a 5 year extended “bumper to bumper” warrentee when I bouth it this January.



Clearly the other reason I want to know is for potential off road & snow perfomance. I wish I’d have know about the different difs before I bought this but that’s crying over spilled milk.



Can anyone help me here w/ what diff configuration I have please?



Thanks!

JD

It's the same oil in tc and diffs ! I have done mine it's a 2010 sr5

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[Apex Overland]

You don't have a locker. You don't have a LSD rear end.

Go to a different dealership where they know what they are doing.

 

[jjdbike]

It's the same oil in tc and diffs ! I have done mine it's a 2010 sr5

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Is this true, i.e., the same oil in ALL front & rear diffs as well as the transfer case?
That dosen’t sound right.
JD

 

[BLACK-FL4RUNNER]

Get some good quality 75w90 for the front diff, rear diff, and transfer case.
And get a new dealer.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/78892-transfer-differential-oil-change.html

 

[e60ral]

The down side is this engine oil change, front & rear differential and transfer case service will not show up on the toyota computer system if there is ever a warrentee issue. I bought a 5 year extended “bumper to bumper” warrentee when I bouth it this January.
JD

They can't deny you warranty service just because you had someone else do the work (magnuson-moss warranty act). All you need to do is file away your receipt and service ticket from when you had your independent tech do the work and there won't be any impact on the warranty.

Also, this dealership doesn't sound like they know what they are doing, so even for items that are covered under warranty I would look for another dealership.

 

[jjdbike]

Agreed. I called another dealer and got a price better than any of the four prices the other dealership gave me. Got an appointment right away.
Thanks!
JD

 

[wfo9]

Just to clear this up... All 5th gen 4runners (except the super rare 4cyl models which supposedly existed in 2010 - never heard of anyone owning one) have the same front and rear differentials geared at 3.73. The trail and pro editions have a rear e-locker, but this has nothing to do with normal operation or the oil you use. There is absolutely no mechanical limited slip differential in any 5th gen 4runner. They all include brake activated traction control electronics which limit slip.

 

[jjdbike]

Just to clear this up... All 5th gen 4runners (except the super rare 4cyl models which supposedly existed in 2010 - never heard of anyone owning one) have the same front and rear differentials geared at 3.73. The trail and pro editions have a rear e-locker, but this has nothing to do with normal operation or the oil you use. There is absolutely no mechanical limited slip differential in any 5th gen 4runner. They all include brake activated traction control electronics which limit slip.

Wow, that just re-confirms how incompetant and or unscrupulus they are.

Thanks folks.
JD

 

[renau001]

Straight out of the 2011 owners manual:

Transfer (4WD models):
Oil capacity
Part-time 4WD models
1.1 qt. (1.0 L, 0.9 Imp. qt.)
Oil type*
Toyota Genuine Transfer gear oil LF or equivalent
Recommended oil viscosity
SAE 75W

Front differential (4WD models):
Oil capacity
Part-time 4WD models
1.6 qt. (1.55 L, 1.4 Imp. qt.)
Oil type and viscosity*
Toyota Genuine Differential gear oil LT 75W-85 GL-5 or equivalent

Rear differential:
Oil capacity
Vehicles without a rear differential lock
2.9 qt. (2.70 L, 2.4 Imp. qt.)
Oil type and viscosity*
Toyota Genuine Differential gear oil LT 75W-85 GL-5 or equivalent


The LT in oil specs is for non-limited slip diffs. Not sure what the LF in the transfer oil really stands for.
Here's a good reference. http://carspecmn.com/toyota-and-lex...alized-transfer-case-and-differential-fluids/


Good luck!

 

[ThorInc]

I own a third but would that info not be on your door sticker?

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[flyrv9]

What does your manual say to use for your diff and xfer cases?

 

[jwkilgore]

Just to clear this up... All 5th gen 4runners (except the super rare 4cyl models which supposedly existed in 2010 - never heard of anyone owning one) have the same front and rear differentials geared at 3.73. The trail and pro editions have a rear e-locker, but this has nothing to do with normal operation or the oil you use. There is absolutely no mechanical limited slip differential in any 5th gen 4runner. They all include brake activated traction control electronics which limit slip.

Mostly true, but just for clarity for future searchers:
- AWD Limited models have a lockable TorSen center differential, which is a form of limited-slip. SR5, Trail, and TRDP models do not have a center diff, just a transfer case. This may be where the dealer got the "limited slip" info.
- [Edited per wfo's correction below] The TRDP and Trail rear diff housings are different from the the SR5 and Limited rear diffs housings. Just enough of a difference that the Toyota factory elocker cannot be installed in an SR5 or Limited without a full axle swap (I checked). All 4WD/AWD models have the same open front diff.
- So technically, the person you spoke to is right... depending on the model a 4Runner may have a combination of open, limited slip, and/or lockable differentials... but the fact they didn't immediately know the correct configuration based on "4WD 2011 SR5" (open front and rear with a center transfer case) is a sign of potential problems. You were wise to call somewhere else.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Apparently in my area our Dealer does 75w-90 in the front (they had foaming issues doing all 3 80w-90 I guess?) and the transfer and rear get 80w-90. We get bulk oil that has LSD additive in it already as well, but we do have extra in case the LSD Tacomas and such need them.

 

[wfo9]

Mostly true, but just for clarity for future searchers:
- AWD Limited models have a lockable TorSen center differential, which is a form of limited-slip. SR5, Trail, and TRDP models do not have a center diff, just a transfer case. This may be where the dealer got the "limited slip" info.
- The TRDP and Trail rear diffs are 8" (I think) while the SR5 and Limited rear diffs are 8.2". Just enough of a difference that the Toyota factory elocker cannot be installed in an SR5 or Limited without a full axle swap (I checked). All 4WD/AWD models have the same open front diff.
- So technically, the person you spoke to is right... depending on the model a 4Runner may have a combination of open, limited slip, and/or lockable differentials... but the fact they didn't immediately know the correct configuration based on "4WD 2011 SR5" (open front and rear with a center transfer case) is a sign of potential problems. You were wise to call somewhere else.

torsen diffs don't need an additive .... all the axle diffs are the same between the trucks. The e-locker models have a different axle housing for the locker, but they are the same ring and pinion size... Technically you can probably cut the housing to accommodate an e-locker diff. It may be more trouble than it is worth though.. I've only seen it done on the older models.

The only difference in cost to change the fluids would be between 2 and 4wd. Capacities are slightly different depending on ADD in front vs e-locker in rear, .. but we are talking a very slight difference overall.

Now that we have over analyzed this... LOL

 

[TK-422]

In other words if you don't want to get screwed by the stealership put on your man pants and learn how to change your own fluids.

Downsides:
Have to own a few tools
Might get dirty
Have to know the difference between clockwise and counterclockwise
will have to take the used fluids to a recycling center
Have to keep track of your purchases/maintenance records

Upsides:
Feel good about yourself and your abilities
Spend a little time knowing more about how your vehicle works
Save a lot of money over time knowing the work was done right
Never have to make a post about how the stealership didn't bother to replace the bolts they removed


I know a lot of you don't have the space or knowledge to do it yourself but it drives me bonkers on how bad they overcharge and then often don't do it right when they do.

 

[jjdbike]

Wow. Great info. Now I’m schooled on 4Ruuner difs!
Thanks everyone!
JD