Don't Forget to Change Rear Differential Oil

Interesting. I honestly haven't thought about it. maybe I should change that out. Is there a drain plug? Looks like just a fill plug...

 

I’d Shpread some of that oil over onto those rusty welds and any other rust on the frame.

 

Drain plug is on the bottom. Undo the fill one first though.

 

Yeah good call. that's a Jeep trick too.

 

No more than the new Mobil 1

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

75W-90 that’s going in after I get done mowing my lawn.

 

Finished.

I think the new gear oil smelled exactly the same as the old gear oil, the color was almost identical as well. Practically nothing on the drain plug magnet, no shavings, just a fine layer of black dust from the ring and pinion gears wearing in.

 

Minnesnowta, though I regularly got to CO and AR to visit family. Been pining for a Tundra Meet Up! 1st Gens ONLY.

 

I did mine at 142k and it was just as black as that. On a side note, I think diff fluid is the worst smelling oil. But prove me wrong

 

I've never done this service and would like to. Can someone please go thru the steps clearly? Thanks.

 

Fairly simple.

Open fill plug, to make sure you can add fluid.
Open drain plug, drain fluid and clean fine particles off the magnet with a paper towel.
Reinstall drain plug and fill diff with fluid until it starts seeping back out of the hole.
Put fill plug in.

 

As simple as that.

Don’t even need ramps, truck sits high enough in the back to just crawl under it.

 

Excellent, I just looked at the manual and watched some helpful videos. Looks simple enough.

I have 2 Tundras that I'll be doing this job on and I have supplies already in the garage. A 2WD 2002 and a 2000 lifted 4x4 with big tires... 305/70/16s. I'm wondering if a thicker oil may be needed?? Temps here get below freezing in winter, to above 100 in summer. Idaho.

Manual seems to call for 80w90 in the rear and 75w90 in the transfer case. If I'm reading it right.

So, I have enough 75w90 for several jobs, covering me for that exact spec in the transfer case. I have all new, 8 qts. of Valvoline full synthetic 75w90.

I also have 8 qts. of Chevron Delo 85w140 that I scored on a great sale. I also have about 3.5 qts of 80w90 but 3 different brands (Quaker State, Valvoline, and another) of I presume conventional stuff, partial bottles GL5 specs, garage sale finds; opened, but clean/new/partial bottles. Anyone run a heavier gear oil due to tire sizes or stick with recommended? Can I mix these safely? Is a small difference in weight (75w90 or 80w90) a big deal? I surely can go buy exactly what it calls for but it would be nice to use up what I have in my garage first if it's fine... Otherwise a trip to Autozone is in order.

 

This thread is nice and all, but where's the good ole 'merican cole slaw and diff oil change thread? My diff is intolerant of femented things. It's also gluten intolerant. It's allergic to peanuts too. I think it needs a support group.

 

By the way, I have 3 telephone book sized repair maintenance manuals for my Tundra. I've often tried referring to them. They are so far quite useless... Huge gaps in explaining steps, big blank pages, I suppose so that the owner can make his own notes from experience or research. A full 3/4 of this page is blank, and there are no helpful tips, steps, or even complete details of how to drain the fluid or put new fluid in... If you didn't know how to do it, or be told, or see it done, you'd be lost following this information.

 

In fairness to Toyota, the FSM isn't written for the consumer, it's written for trained techs.

 

The smell is the additive that does the work. You should worry if there is no smell.....+1 on the Mobil 1 gear oil, it is good stuff.

 

I’d change out my rear seals (or at least inspect them via ABS Sensor holes for leakage first) before doing a diff oil change.

 

Well these days its not alway

Ooo. Good note. No point putting new fluid in if it's going to come out or get dirty again

 

Unless you are overheating the ring & pinion with massive loads (constant towing and/or racing... Baja anyone?) there is no need for a heavier oil.

You can mix 75w90 & 80w-90 in the diff with no problems if you have a mix of bottles. The second number is how well it does at operating temp, both should work similar enough.

If you have an OEM or clutch type LSD, stick to conventional with friction modifier (either included or add yourself).



For the transfer case I would not mix or use 80w-90, as it will not reach temps the diff will and the slightly lower cold viscosity is a bit better there.

 

So I just downloaded the fsm from a link on this forum some where. And this oil weight spec is different from my owners manual. Not sure if I should go back to AutoZone and exchange or not... Gut tells me to stick with the owners manual, but maybe there is a bulletin or something updating it.

 

Isn't the LSD a TRD after sales upgrade?

 

LSD is an option on some trucks, but it's not part of the TRD package.

The quickest way to tell if you have an LSD is to see if your diff has a sticker. Second easiest is to plug your VIN into the Toyota owner's site and it'll tell you there.




Interestingly enough it looks like the LSD wasn't an option on the 01's according to these brochures. https://www.tundras.com/threads/1st-gen-tundra-brochures.91566/

 

Yes and no. Some trucks came with the LSD from the factory, others had them installed at dealerships as an add-on. Rumor has it the dealer add-on version holds a bit more power before the clutches slip.

 

fun fact kimchi is a nutritionally deficit food

 

Is that because you throw it back up immediately

 

Bulimia is not to be joked about, Turreh!

 

Yes, please read minds responsibly.

 

I stole my lsd oil only sticker for a medicine bottle ive got.

 

My diff fluid was changed 280k ago in 06’ not really worried about it. My Tacoma’s was done 332k ago and is also doing well.

Maybe at some point I’ll swap them with some Amsoil 75-90

 

And here I thought nobody would be interested in my diff fluid from three years ago...