Proper way to Prop up Rig to change Diff Fluids?

[morphius909]

Hi All,

It's getting time to change my Diff Fluds/Tx Fluids again. first time I let Toyota do it, not i want to save the 350 bucks (grrrr) and do it myself once the weather gets warmer in March/April.

I have an inclined driveway but my garage is obviously on level.

What's the best way to prop up the 4runner? Do i get one of those large sliding hydraulic jacks and lift it up and then put the rig on those mini jackstands?

 

[Presta24]

I was going to post this ? today lol. I saw a thread where the guy drove the front on ramps and just kept replacing the ramps is his driveway, his driveway was slanted too, until the truck was level. I am also curious what is the best way to check if its level....4 ft level on the running boards?

 

[JB.]

Hi All,

It's getting time to change my Diff Fluds/Tx Fluids again. first time I let Toyota do it, not i want to save the 350 bucks (grrrr) and do it myself once the weather gets warmer in March/April.

I have an inclined driveway but my garage is obviously on level.

What's the best way to prop up the 4runner? Do i get one of those large sliding hydraulic jacks and lift it up and then put the rig on those mini jackstands?

For that job, 4 ramps work well. Stands are more of a pain but are needed at other times when messing with wheels and, of course, need to be combined with a jack. Depends on whether you want to keep ramps and stands/floor jack both around. I ended up getting rid of one pair of ramps but keeping another. At least one pair is handy to have around but I didn't want to devote garage space to two pair along with floor jack and 6 jack stands.

 

[fourwd1]

You want it up in the air and level?
Drive the front up on ramps and put the rear up on jack stands, in your garage.
Or put enough lift on it so you don't need either

 

[nated05]

I was able to change the rear fluids without raising my vehicle. The front I had to jack up a bit and use stands.

 

[Ross]

I just got my 4Runner and haven't looked at the diffs yet but the 4Runner have a drain plug or are you guys pumping out the fluid or taking of the diff cover?

In other Vehicles on occasional will I take off the cover so I can inspect things, usually I just pump the old out and pump the new in.

 

[nated05]

Both diffs and the t-case have drain plugs. A bit of advice, make sure you remove the fill plug FIRST so you know you can refill after you drain the fluid. I did not need a pump to change the fluids, I just filled straight from the bottle.

 

[Ross]

Both diffs and the t-case have drain plugs. A bit of advice, make sure you remove the fill plug FIRST so you know you can refill after you drain the fluid. I did not need a pump to change the fluids, I just filled straight from the bottle.

That is excellent advice, even for changing oil. Is always possible that some body cross threaded or put in the wrong size bolt and you won't be able to get it out yourself.

 

[JB.]

I did not need a pump to change the fluids, I just filled straight from the bottle.

Even the front?

 

[KB084RUNNER]

I use no lifts or jacks and a simple marine outdrive fill pump that fits in the gear lube bottle ($5 for the pump. I do make sure to use new crush washers and torque to spec. 1 hour job.

Front diff 1.5 qts
Tcase 1.5 qts LS
Rear diff 3.5qts.

All get Mobil1 75w90LS.

 

[nated05]

Yea, from what i remember I just squeezed the bottle forcing the oil into the diff.

 

[MICA4R]

I use no lifts or jacks and a simple marine outdrive fill pump that fits in the gear lube bottle ($5 for the pump. I do make sure to use new crush washers and torque to spec. 1 hour job.

Front diff 1.5 qts
Tcase 1.5 qts LS
Rear diff 3.5qts.

All get Mobil1 75w90LS.

Why is 75w90 better than 75w140 what's the diff? (no pun intended)