Transfer and differential Oil change

If I were you, I would send away for an analysis. What I meant by my other post is that visual observations mean absolutely nothing unless looking for something catastrophic. Another thing that I find funny is justification for oil change intervals with no concrete data other than "I towed some" or "I live in a dusty environment" or something like that. Someone who represents Toyota (engineers, techs, lawers, marketing, other) determined we can go 10K between changes on engine and longer than that with diff and even longer on transmission. I don't really care who as Toyota is willing to stand behind their word. 10K matches what I know from my off highway design experience and if anything is a little short. Again, we all know changing your fluids on shorter intervals won't make anyone go broke or really hurt anything except possible introduction of contaminants during changes. So, have at it but don't depend on your eyes when a lab can give you much bettter results.

I totally agree on the used oil analysis, and the results would have been useful indeed. Everything else is guessing, although I can't call it a bad guess to say that sludge is not desirable thing. That's very different from saying "my engine oil was lighter than cola colored and I changed it because cars in the 70's needed it changed at 3000 miles too."
 
Front diff plugs

The fill plug on the front diff is a 10mm hex/allen key, right? My question is the drain plug. Is the diameter a 12mm allen key?
 
The fill plug on the front diff is a 10mm hex/allen key, right? My question is the drain plug. Is the diameter a 12mm allen key?

They are both 10mm hex. Threw me for a loop when I got the mid skid off. Had to run to home depot and buy a hex socket set. ;)
 
Ok, I first changed my transfer case oil 15k miles ago. I could not find the 75W oil the manual called for anywhere, so I simply used some 75w90 and called it good. I noticed a drop in fuel economy almost immediately. I would say I lost MPG after the change. I decided to try and use correct Toyota oil.

transferoil.jpg~original

transferoil3.jpg~original

transferoil2.jpg~original


Available for $55 from toyotapartsales.com Part number: 08885-81080.

I know it is steep for a litre of fluid, but if I get my 1 MPG back it will be worth it.

More to follow.
 
What is the recommendation for differential and transfer case oil change? The manual seems to be kind of vague. I don't see either listed as a maintenance item at a specific mileage interval. Each time either is listed in the manual, it's listed under "driving while towing, using a car-top carrier, or heavy vehicle loading." What if I don't drive under those conditions?
 
Post Break-In

Just changed front diff, rear diff, and transfer case at 5,000 miles. The rear diff was really dark with a decent amount of very fine shavings on the magnet. The front diff was about half as dark with fewer fine shavings on the magnet. The transfer case was very clear with almost no shavings.

Although the front diff and transfer case may have been overkill, I'm glad I changed them after break-in. I used Mobil 1 75w/90 in all holes.
 
Ok, I first changed my transfer case oil 15k miles ago. I could not find the 75W oil the manual called for anywhere, so I simply used some 75w90 and called it good. I noticed a drop in fuel economy almost immediately. I would say I lost MPG after the change. I decided to try and use correct Toyota oil.

transferoil.jpg~original



Available for $55 from toyotapartsales.com Part number: 08885-81080.

I know it is steep for a litre of fluid, but if I get my 1 MPG back it will be worth it.

More to follow.

Since the transfer calls for 1.0L and the LF 75W is exactly 1.0L, did you find you had enough to fill it to the point it dripped from the Fill Plug? It woudl suck to have to get 2L of that stuff just for that little extra to get it to the right level....
 
Since the transfer calls for 1.0L and the LF 75W is exactly 1.0L, did you find you had enough to fill it to the point it dripped from the Fill Plug? It woudl suck to have to get 2L of that stuff just for that little extra to get it to the right level....

When I did mine I had bought two cans of the 75w fluid. Of course since it comes in the old fashion metal oil cans you have to put it in something else first so you can pour it into the fill hole.

I used an empty plastic gear oil bottle with the narrow top, W/M Super Tech gear oil bottle to be specific that I have saved for just such a purpose.

Of course that is only a quart bottle so it has to be refilled with the 75w to get the entire liter in. When I had put the entire first liter of 75w in the case, it was still not dripping out the fill hole. So I opened the second can and poured it into the gear oil bottle and started putting it in the case, well it just took a little bit until it started pouring out the fill hole.

My suggestion would be to go ahead and order two cans, but when you get ready to put in the T/C, only open one can and put it all in, then take your finger and stick it in the fill hole and see if it is just about full. It may be that the second can would not be needed to be opened and could be saved until next time.

I may have lost some product in the process of pouring it from one container to another and pouring into the case, I have just about a quart left over from the second can that I opened (my gear oil quart bottle is full) so it did not take much out of the second can. And some of that just poured out the fill hole when the case got full.

Note that I did this transfer case fluid change at 60k mostly highway miles, the fluid that drained out was pretty clean, with very few metal shavings. I don't use the 4x4 all that much, someone that does a lot of heavy off road driving may need to change this fluid more often.

Also note that I changed my rear differential lube at 20k miles and again at 50k miles, it was fairly dark colored and had some shavings on the magnet at 20k. But at the 50k change it was still pretty clean and almost no shavings. I used Amsoil Sever Gear 75w90 gear oil.

I changed my front differential at 60k, it was almost factory clean fluid with virtually no shavings.
 
So I have some of the OEM Toyota 75W-85 transfer case oil on the way (P/N: 08885-81080 from Toyota of Dallas). Only ordered 1 - so I'll likely be a few drops short. Any problem using a little Mobil-1 75W-90 gear oil to top it off (probably a few ounces or so)? I already have some on-hand...

Grazie! :cool:
 
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Ok, I first changed my transfer case oil 15k miles ago. I could not find the 75W oil the manual called for anywhere, so I simply used some 75w90 and called it good. I noticed a drop in fuel economy almost immediately. I would say I lost MPG after the change. I decided to try and use correct Toyota oil
More to follow.

Never was an update. Makes me very inclined to do this sooner than later. FWIW, my Jeep had a dirty rear diff early on also. I believe it is the nature of the beast back there. I would like to know of the 75 worked out better our the same. Hmmmmm
 
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