Rear Diff Vent Behind the tail light

[Canazes9]

Curious if anyone here had seen this thread on Tacoma World:

Rear Diff Vent behind the tail light Mod - Tacoma World Forums

I mainly stay out of the water and deep mud if I can, don't really need to relocated the diff vent but you never know.... I haven't done the rear diff vent on my Tacomas or my 4Runner because I didn't like my vent location choices. I like this! Think I will give this a try.

David

 

[Okki]

I rerouted mine all the way to the engine bay. the thought being I'll eventually tie in the remaining breathers.

Details on how I did mine and parts are here:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/94578-okkis-build-thread-post1073310.html

Okki

 

[flyrv9]

There was a thread on the Tundra forum a while back, where a guy relocated his to inside the fuel filler cap area behind the door.

 

[phillyd2]

This was my first location but had to move it higher because...:tape2:

More better info: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/81938-rear-diff-breather.html

 

[Canazes9]

I am aware that there are other alternative places to route the vent. I have a lot of OCD'ish tendencies and things need to make sense to me (even if they don't to everybody else)!

Routing to the engine compartment was the best idea I had seen until the tail light location was mentioned. I do not like the idea of having to run the vent all the way back to the engine compartment, though I'm sure it could be done with good reliability if you were careful. I'm always concerned about having tubing/wiring under the vehicle pulled down by sticks and rocks protruding up from the trail. This concern obviously doesn't go away by not routing it to the engine compartment, but routing it closer to the rear minimizes those concerns (at least in my mind).

I don't like the modification to the gas filler area. I don't really want to be drilling/cutting in there and I don't like the idea of seeing it every time I fill up. I realize in comparison to other obvious modifications like welded sliders (which I have zero concerns about) this is fairly innocuous, but I don't like it - can't give a better reason than that.

I liked the idea of routing the vent up in to the jack storage area until I saw that most people that did this were getting a whiff of the rear diff fluid every now and then. Wasn't a solution that would work on my Tacomas any way.

Routing it behind the tail light assembly seems simple, is higher than some of the other locations and is almost completely invisible. Additionally, there are some good brackets that can be used with some rubber coated clamps to make a secure "factory like" installation.

Regardless, it appeals to me! I ordered the Toyota parts today, should be here by mid week. I'll try the 4Runner first and post pics of the install if anyone is interested.

David

 

[Okki]

Regardless, it appeals to me! I ordered the Toyota parts today, should be here by mid week. I'll try the 4Runner first and post pics of the install if anyone is interested.

David

Keep us posted David. Although I would continue to have the concern about the diff fluid smell. You still have only a single piece of plastic separating the filter from the main compartment; not a whole lot different from the jack area.

You are higher up then the engine bay, so that may be a plus, but in my mind, if I'm that deep in, I should have brought a paddle anyway:Cry:

Are you adding a real filter, or just the ball vent like what is normally on top of the diff?

Okki

 

[Canazes9]

Keep us posted David. Although I would continue to have the concern about the diff fluid smell. You still have only a single piece of plastic separating the filter from the main compartment; not a whole lot different from the jack area.

You are higher up then the engine bay, so that may be a plus, but in my mind, if I'm that deep in, I should have brought a paddle anyway:Cry:

Are you adding a real filter, or just the ball vent like what is normally on top of the diff?

Okki

Was just planning on using the the Toyota Breather, part# 90930-03136, don't think there is room in there for a filter.

Darn it, now you're going to make me go pull the tail light assembly apart to whether or not the diff fluid smell is going to be a problem!

David

 

[eddiebx]

I am aware that there are other alternative places to route the vent. I have a lot of OCD'ish tendencies and things need to make sense to me (even if they don't to everybody else)!

Routing to the engine compartment was the best idea I had seen until the tail light location was mentioned. I do not like the idea of having to run the vent all the way back to the engine compartment, though I'm sure it could be done with good reliability if you were careful. I'm always concerned about having tubing/wiring under the vehicle pulled down by sticks and rocks protruding up from the trail. This concern obviously doesn't go away by not routing it to the engine compartment, but routing it closer to the rear minimizes those concerns (at least in my mind).

I don't like the modification to the gas filler area. I don't really want to be drilling/cutting in there and I don't like the idea of seeing it every time I fill up. I realize in comparison to other obvious modifications like welded sliders (which I have zero concerns about) this is fairly innocuous, but I don't like it - can't give a better reason than that.

I liked the idea of routing the vent up in to the jack storage area until I saw that most people that did this were getting a whiff of the rear diff fluid every now and then. Wasn't a solution that would work on my Tacomas any way.

Routing it behind the tail light assembly seems simple, is higher than some of the other locations and is almost completely invisible. Additionally, there are some good brackets that can be used with some rubber coated clamps to make a secure "factory like" installation.

Regardless, it appeals to me! I ordered the Toyota parts today, should be here by mid week. I'll try the 4Runner first and post pics of the install if anyone is interested.

David

Have you looked back there behind the tail light? I think it might end up to be in roughly the same general vicinity? I have not snooped around much back there, but I remember opening the jack storage compartment to get to the tail light bulbs, so I wonder if you might end up with the same odor issues that you are trying to avoid...

Take pics once you get it cracked open!

 

[Okki]

Darn it, now you're going to make me go pull the tail light assembly apart to whether or not the diff fluid smell is going to be a problem!

David

From the jack area you and run your hand/arms to under the tail light. There is no fully welded separation between those segments of the rear body construction.

Plus I believe there is a access panel to get to the rear of the tail lights that you can pop with a screwdriver, so that's another non-sealed barrier.

You may have room for a small filter like mine, but it would be a tight fit if you can squeeze it in. you would have to pull the tail light assembly to check that out. Also thing about how you are securing the breather end. would be annoying metal-on-metal ticking potentially.

Okki

 

[Canazes9]

Ok, I got too excited over the seemingly perfect solution (still is perfect solution for the Tacomas). I didn't realize the differences in how the tail light assemblies were mounted. The tail light assembly is closed off from access from underneath you would still have to run up through the jack compartment to access the tail light areas and will have all of the same odor problems.

Still looks possible to run the vent up to the bottom of the tail light assembly from underneath. This will put it an inch or two below the fuel tank fill and there is some good hardware to hang clamps on in the area in the lower area. Just not sure how to secure the upper end without rattling - perhaps secure a clamp to the wall of the tire jack storage area and wrap the end with pipe insulation and wedging it in, while securing with some lower clamps?









Another relative height comparison.



So it doesn't appear as good as I first thought, but I believe it will work. Will have to think about mounting over the next few days, but I believe it can be done.

I don't know now, I'm going to have to think about it some more. Really not wanting the fuel filler mount. Oh well at least the Tacomas will be taken care of...

Thoughts?

David

 

[phillyd2]

Thoughts?

:lmao:

No need to reinvent the wheel its. Its a one and done mod that will require very little thought or interaction when done.

Extend it as high as you want / can and be done with it. Engine bay will get you the highest and more than a few run all sorts of lines including lockers air lines without issue.

 

[eddiebx]

^^That picture cracks me :lmao:
[MENTION=96409]Canazes9[/MENTION] I wonder if you have room to tie the breather somewhere right behind the fuel filler mount area? I might not be describing this the best way, but what I mean is the area behind that mount where you would drill through to make it stick out in the fuel filler area, right behind there. I would image there's got to be some space over there if people are able to run the line through there to connect to the breather in the fuel filler mount. This way you avoid drilling the mount, and you still let it vent outside of the cabin and avoid any chances of odors. Please investigate and post more pictures I would look myself, but I hurt my back, lol.

 

[Canazes9]

:lmao:

No need to reinvent the wheel its. Its a one and done mod that will require very little thought or interaction when done.

Extend it as high as you want / can and be done with it. Engine bay will get you the highest and more than a few run all sorts of lines including lockers air lines without issue.

Come on now! That's harsh - I don't even rate square tires?

The more I think about the area under the light the more I realize that's not a good spot. As the truck pivots on the rear tire it will pivot the breather down towards the water - on a steep climb out, that might splash it.

David

 

[Canazes9]

^^That picture cracks me :lmao:

@Canazes9 I wonder if you have room to tie the breather somewhere right behind the fuel filler mount area? I might not be describing this the best way, but what I mean is the area behind that mount where you would drill through to make it stick out in the fuel filler area, right behind there. I would image there's got to be some space over there if people are able to run the line through there to connect to the breather in the fuel filler mount. This way you avoid drilling the mount, and you still let it vent outside of the cabin and avoid any chances of odors. Please investigate and post more pictures I would look myself, but I hurt my back, lol.

That's a good idea. I will look into that, thanks!

David

 

[Petromaniac]

That's exactly what I did before the FJ Summit, haven't updated the build thread though. All you have to do is remove a couple clips from the plastic behind the tire. Couldn't be easier and gets you just as much height as the filler door.