Went to change the front diff fluid, found this R85 sticker

can anyone tell me what this date represents. it's for next year... is that when fluid needs to be changed (there's no record of this fluid being change). I bought this truck a few weeks ago and just going through everything right now.

also... when changing the front diff fluid... should i order new fill/drain plugs and gaskets? they look original, but not terrible.




thanks guys!

also i'm not sure if that darker metal is a leak... it's definitely smells like oil... but it's not recent. almost like the person who previously changed the fluid made a mess and didn't clean it.

 

What’s the build date for your truck?

 

My guess is that date is actually August 24th, 2005.

 

on the door seal is says 09-05. so september 2005. crazy how good the sticker looks. seems like it was recently put on! would you swap out the drain plugs with new ones?

 

Drain plugs, no, I don't change. Washer gaskets ... with crush washers, I make a point of doing them at least every other time, but every time if I have them on-hand. If flat washers, I'll go 2-4 changes without touching them.

 

The front diff Allen plug is easy to strip if you not careful. Lexus vehicles have a normal plug that you use a 6 point socket on. A worthwhile $10 upgrade

 

There is a backup torx down inside the Allen head in case you strip. Folks in rust belt probably will miss that.

Also gotta be careful not to overtorque the transfer case plug, risk of cracking the case.

 

Thanks guys! Appreciate all the help. It's great to see this forum has been just as helpful as the tacomaworld forums I was a part of for many years

 

Pretty sure you never need to change the front diff fluid. Maybe top off if needed.

Plus everyone knows the factory gear oil is Toyota Voodoo magic that you cannot buy anywhere, including the dealer.

 

Ding ding ding!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Date_and_time_notation_in_Japan

 

Here’s my 2001’s sticker for reference:

 

R-85 is our in-house part number for the front diff, basically for delivery to the line. Having large, easy to read numbers makes it easier to make sure you dont use the wrong diff (gear ratio), or wrong config. You will notice the firs pic, R85 is the basic part ID. Underneath, in small print, is R85 followed by the serial number.
Many Toyota plants have several models running down the line at the same time. Texas now has Tundras (all types), 4 door Tacomas, and Sequoias. They run down the line in the sequence of orders received. A blue Taco may be followed by a silver Sequoia, then a Red Tundra. The paint shop runs the same way.
I spent years at Toyota Mississippi. That plant is strictly a Corolla plant, but we usually had 5 or 6 subtypes. Hybrid, export, sunroof, satellite antenna cutout in roof, etc.
They all ran in order sequence.
Interesting company to work for, I miss some aspects of the job now that I am retired.

 

Thanks for all the info. That makes sense now. I was mainly surprised at how good the sticker looked. I thought maybe it was a service sticker that it was done recently.

Congrats on retiring, that's awesome!