Matt96Tacoma

Hey There,

Today I changed the oil on the Rear Differential, the Transfer Case, The Transmission and now I am trying to do the Front Differential. The truck is a 4 cylinder 2.7 Liter 4x4 with the 3rz motor. I have attached a pic of what appears to be a drain plug but it is welded to the case? Is this model a sealed differential? I am using a chilton guide and the pictures look completely different then what is in front of me. I do not see the fill bolt/plug either? If anyone has this model and has a picture or advice, I appreciate it!

MudHippy

That's the drain plug.

The fill plug is on the front of the diff.

scuba

Drain plug doesn't look welded to the diff. Sometimes they get over torqued though. Make sure you have the proper size hex head (either 10 or 12MM) to take it out with.

Matt96Tacoma

Hey Mudhippi and Scuba.. Thanks for the replies.

After taking a closer look the drain plug was not welded just insanely hard to break free. I decided to take some pictures to help the next guy doing the same maintenance.


1st I found the FRONT DIFFERENTIAL and DRAIN BOLT located here


With MudHippi adding the diagram I realized I had a skid plate that needed to be removed and once I did I saw the fill plug located here that is 10mm Hex..


Next I removed the Fill plug and inspected..


Next I removed the drain bolt with 12mm Hex. Mine was extremely hard to take off so I tapped the drain plug with a hammer lightly and then hit my ratchet arm with a rubber mallet. The plug broke free...


Drained all the old dirty oil..


Inspected the drain bolt magnet and mine had a lot of metal built up.


Cleaned the Drain Bolt...


I pumped extra gear oil into the differential to try and get out any additional gunk before adding the drain bolt. Once I installed the drain bolt without over tightening I pumped away until the oil continuously leaked out the fill plug showing that it was full. I purchased a cheap pump for $8.50 and I would hope that there is better ones out there. It took awhile to pump...



I then checked for leaks and all was good! Installed the skid plate and clean up. For my model the transmission, transfer case, front differential and rear differential all took the same gear oil. I only did the pics on the front due to having problems locating and figured I would help out the next person as I have been helped in here in the past.

Matt

scuba

Nice job!

MudHippy

About that. Here's where you get those diagrams. http://www.ncttora.com/fsm/index.html

bicklebok

Nice job man!! And your smart wearing latex gloves! My dumb ass never wears them and I get grease under my nails every time.

quicksilvr

The drain bolt on my front diff was so tight, I had to use a 6 foot breaker bar.