Newbie Question about front diff.

[RVFIXERGUY]

NEWBIE QUESTION
I'M going to change rear diff. fluid and transfer case.
My question is how important is it to change front diff. fluid on V6 models since the front diff. is only used when 4WD is engaged..?????????

I know V8 full time units are always turning. This got Me thinking when I was lubing drive shaft and spun front drive shaft to access zerk fitting. If front diff. is not spinning all the time how likely is it that it needs changed. Seems much harder to access with skid plates. Not that I'M whining its just super easy to see rear diff. and transfer case.

To be honest in 25 years I have never ever changed diff. fluid in any of the past 20 or so cars I have owned..

 

[Synister]

I just did my 30k service and also swapped all 3 diffs over to synthetic. I do a moderate amount of 4wd use but when I changed my fluids, the front diff was almost as dirty as the rear. If anything, I would change the front and rear and leave the transfer case alone as almost everyone, myself included, reports that the transfer case fluid is by far the cleanest. Even with only 30k on the truck and very limited towing, Im glad I changed the fluids when I did.

 

[message]

Regardless of having 4wd engaged or not the gears in the front diff are moving whenever the vehicle is in motion.

 

[RVFIXERGUY]

Synister!
Did you change your spark plugs @ the 30k mark?
This also puzzles Me that We can't go 100k on spark plugs.

Your right the transfer case fluid was clean. So much that I thought it might have been changed recently.
I went to change antifreeze to and it was so clean I stopped.
Rear diff was a little dirty.
I changed engine oil because it was over filled acording to dipstick

I just bought the 4R @ CARMAX. So I don't know if they change all fluids when the service a vehicle before resale.. Anyone know if they do that?

 

[RVFIXERGUY]

Regardless of having 4wd engaged or not the gears in the front diff are moving whenever the vehicle is in motion.

I'M new to the 4x4 drive train. So the wheels a spinning , hubs are spinning, cv axles are spinning and gears are tuning to.
I guess that makes sence. There not getting power to turn until power comes from transfer case.

So I guess I had better change the front diff fluid..

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I'M new to the 4x4 drive train. So the wheels a spinning , hubs are spinning, cv axles are spinning and gears are tuning to.
I guess that makes sence. There not getting power to turn until power comes from transfer case.

So I guess I had better change the front diff fluid..

Correct, the days of manual lock out hubs on the front axle are long gone.

 

[Synister]

I did replace the plugs with OEM Denso's, they're really cheap from the dealer and come pre-gapped. Its super easy to replace the plugs with only the back 2 drivers side plugs being kinda tough to get to. I think the V8's have iridium plugs which last longer, lots of people have changed their V6's over to iridiums also but Id just as soon stick with whats recommended b/c its so easy to change them. The whole 30k service I did (all 3 diffs, oil, plugs, rotate tires, lube driveshaft zerks) took me about 4.5 hours taking my time and about $170 in parts.

 

[RVFIXERGUY]

I did replace the plugs with OEM Denso's, they're really cheap from the dealer and come pre-gapped. Its super easy to replace the plugs with only the back 2 drivers side plugs being kinda tough to get to. I think the V8's have iridium plugs which last longer, lots of people have changed their V6's over to iridiums also but Id just as soon stick with whats recommended b/c its so easy to change them. The whole 30k service I did (all 3 diffs, oil, plugs, rotate tires, lube driveshaft zerks) took me about 4.5 hours taking my time and about $170 in parts.

I just got the 4R so I'M going to do the plugs and front diff. next weekend. So I can keep My own log of milage maintance. I'll hit 100k in 800 miles

 

[KB084RUNNER]

I change out my entire drivetrain after 4-5k when new then at 50k, 100k, 150k. The trans oil at 50/100/150. Cheap insurance IMO

 

[RVFIXERGUY]

I change out my entire drivetrain after 4-5k when new then at 50k, 100k, 150k. The trans oil at 50/100/150. Cheap insurance IMO

I will have to do tranny fluid to. What kind and how much does it hold?
What about fuel filter? Where is it?

 

[renep74]

I change mine @ 90k (Front, transfer case, and Rear). You need a 10mm hex to remove the fill and drain plug in the front.

 

[sonerick]

I will have to do tranny fluid to. What kind and how much does it hold?
What about fuel filter? Where is it?

The fuel filter is built into the fuel pump, which requires you to drop the gas tank to access. Toyota says its a lifetime filter, not sure if that's really the case though.