Best differential fluid to use

Does anyone have the torque specs for the front & rear diffs (drain & fill plugs)?

can’t find the ‘book’ answer.

 

I’m pretty sure it is:
Front differential: 29 ft/lb
Transfer case: 27 ft/lb
rear differential: 36 ft/lb

People seem to agree 27 is too high for the t-case and just go snug due to the plug design.

 

for the front & rear diff, is that for both the drain & fill plugs?

 

Yes - are you 2007-2021?

 

Yup, 2020

 

I’d just like to add one thing, if you’ve never did the front differential. Do yourself a favor and use a good quality Allen socket. Clean the corners of the hex as best as you can of the fill plug. I use a Snap-On Allen socket. I had to tap it in the fill plug a little at a time and took it back out before I even tried to loosen the fill plug. Finally got the Allen all the way in the fill plug. It really feels like it’s very tight. Always remove the fill plug first just in case there’s an issue with the leading edges of the fill plug. My fill plug felt like it had 50 ft lbs of torque. It really didn’t but that’s what it feels like when removed for the first time. If you don’t have a torque wrench just make it snug that’s all! The drain plug was much easier to remove, and I can’t explain why. Use whatever oil you choose as mentioned. Keep it to the specifications if that pleases you. I use the AMSOIL 85/140 because I pull a 6,500 lb. travel trailer quite a bit. I don’t force the issue pulling steep hills on the secondary roads, I try very hard not to go above 65MPH on the 4 lane hiways. At that speed in 5th gear I get 10.1 MPG, I feel that’s pretty good for what I’m pulling.

 

Side effects if you have not changed the diff fluid? I am at 60k on my 4x4. Do not tow anything.

do you have to pump it in?

 

I did my first one at 57K. I don’t tow either and it looked fine to me. I used Amsoil 75w90

 

you can either pump it in (hand pump or drill pump) or use a ‘squeezable’ bottle to squeeze it in, both will work just fine. Have you changed the diff fluid before? Or is it going on 60k with the original fluid?

 

I've just done mine. I got the Ravenol oil kit at https://www.blauparts.com/toyota-tundra-transfer-case-differential-fluid-change-kit.html

This page also shows you how to change the front and rear gear oil: https://www.yotatech.com/how-tos/a/...ange-front-and-rear-differential-fluid-415423

 

Blauparts.com has a sale on stated fluids above. 10% and free shipping "economy shipping" over $100. Placed my order.

 

I just ordered my parts from Blauparts.com Question though, I looked through out this entire thread and didn't see any mention of crush washers needed for fill/drain plugs? I know when I did this service on my 2016 4Runner I had to get new crush washers for front and rear diff as well as transfer case. Does my 2020 Tundra need them too?

 

cant take credit for the photo or info, but this is the info I used when I changed my diff fluid and all went well;

 

Any idea what "it" is? Vescosity and brand? thx

 

For a higher mileage Tundra, I recommend the RedLine Heavy Shockproof in the differentials.
(No affiliation, just a satisfied user).

The Heavy Shockproof has a viscosity index of

$39 75W-90 GL-5 Limited Slip, Ultra Long Drain 500k Miles, Manual Transmission, Gear/Differential Lubricant (1 Gallon)

75W-90, but protects like a 75W-250!

Redline makes a Light Shockproof as well, if you want to run thinner gear oil.

Both are rated for extreme applications, and protect so well they are considered “liquid grease” by the industry.

Not cheap, a gallon of Heavy Shockproof is about $80.

ToolCat

 

lemme know if you have it or not, yet. I have the Chiltons manual and im betting its in there. Its outside in the truck, and its colllllld out there, so me not goin out there unless....LOL

 

I hope he found them 2 years ago lol

 

My understanding is he got close. Theeeeeeeeeeeeennnnnn......he looked up and there was a damn squirrel in a tree.

 

I hope so lol

 

There’s a couple YouTube videos where they give the torque rating. I want to say it was like 30ish lb/ft of torque.

 

Anyone using Valvoline Flexfill SAE

$39 75W-90 GL-5 Limited Slip, Ultra Long Drain 500k Miles, Manual Transmission, Gear/Differential Lubricant (1 Gallon)

75W-90 Full Synthetic Gear Oil for diffs and transfer case?
2012 Tundra V8 4x4. I'm about to do both diffs and transfer case.

 

For 2012 your totally fine with that, it's 2014+ that the transfer case changed.

 

thanks ordered 8QT of the Valvoline Flexfill SAE

$39 75W-90 GL-5 Limited Slip, Ultra Long Drain 500k Miles, Manual Transmission, Gear/Differential Lubricant (1 Gallon)

75W-90 Full Synthetic Gear Oil

 

Amsoil now has 75w85. Old news by now I guess but all the Toyota owners no longer have to use the 75W90 stuff.

 

Is anyone in a hotter climate using a thicker gear oil? I’m about to send her under the knife.

 

Nope, just the normal thickness, though mine's rear is soaking in Redline shockproof due to the locker. Otherwise it'd be any reputable 75w-85