While out in the snow this weekend, I had a bit of a hard time getting turning on the 4x4 with the shifter. Since this is my first 4x4 car (things are so much simpler with front wheel drive), I didn't reall know what the problem was. A buddy of mine that was with me told me that I should be servicing my differential and transfer case every 15K miles for optimal operation. However, he didn't even know what service needs to be performed, etc.

Could someone please let me know if the 15K number is correct, and what service do I need to perform to keep it in good shape?

TIA

 

See this thread...

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/how-often-do-you-change-diff-xfer-case-fluid-44792/

 

Thank you. Is there a writeup anywhere with instructions on how to do it?

 

Just this one, but it is for a 5-speed tranny...

http://www.4runners.org/articles/difftsf/

 

Bummer, mine is an auto. I guess it's time to pick up a FSM. Thanks for the help.

 

it would be cheaper to go to the local auto store and pick up a haynes. aside from that it's not that difficult. just find the drain plug on the tranny bottom and the fill plug on the side. undo the fill plug, then undo the drain plug. once it's drained, torque the drain plug back on and fill just like bob does in that write up. then torque on the fill plug and drive away.

 

Do you need a pump to put the fluid in? On my civic, I could do either a pump, or run a hose from the top and fill the fluid in that way, but I don't know how it works on the 4Runner.

 

hey dynamo!

if you are refering to changing out the fluids, all you should be doing is draining the old and refilling with new of the proper grade. if you dont already have one, pick up a hayes or chiltons manual as they should have all the info you need. if you wish to service your auto tranny, im sure the search area would generate a plethora of posts to check out. follow the procedure bob outlined in his tech write up and you are good to go.

lee

 

Is Bob's writeup the same one that was posted above for the manual tranny?

 

it helps, but there's always ways to not use one. it's just not fun in some cases.

Yes, that is Bob "the write-up freak."

 

hehehe, use the pump! if you use the hose from the top, youll lose quite a bit of gear lube. unless you have extremely quick reflexes to pull the hose out of the fill hole and plug the end before any gear lube leaks everywhere!

lee

 

dynamo,

look in the maintenance forum. at the top, there's a stickied thread w/ a link to toyota's online FSM page. you can download your entire manual for $10. whadda bargain!

bob

 

keisur,

i feel the love

bob

 

das cuz your write-ups are the best on the web!

 

Do you guys replace the drain & fill gaskets each time you change the fluids on the diff & xfer case?

 

I do it if I have a new one. people say to do it every time but I've never had problems with it, I just think it's a pain to go to the dealer everytime just to get one. the engine oil one I do, but the gear oil ones I don't unless I have one.

 

and here's a link for you guys that are lazy like me, now I'm lazy and po'd for having to go get it and post it myself! j/k.

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f123/toyota-maintenace-search-engine-online-fsm-manuals-hunter-balancers-38266/

 

Nevermind,I figured it out. Thanks.

 

After calling several shops and reading several writeups, I am still confused about the quantity of each fluid. According to an Amsoil rep I just talked to, I need 7qt 75/90 gear oil, and 8qt of the ATF.

However, when I read the write up posted above, I only see 2.6qt of gear fluid for the rear diff, 1.1qt for the transfer case, and 1.2qt for the front diff (didn't even know my 2000 had one?). That totals to about 4.9qt, which is still less than 7.

He also said I need 8qt of the tranny fluid, and the write up states that I need 2.3qt.

Can someone please clarify this for me?

 

7 quarts is way too much. it should be closer to 2 for each of both the front and the rear diff. with the front diff taking a little less. he must have been giving you a total number of quarts needed to replace the fluid in all of those components. hte tranny I ain't sure about since it's an auto and mine and bob's are manuals.

check this site for the capacities of an automatic tranny:

http://www.top4runners.com/ja/synthetic.html