Went over to my son's house and helped him change the fluids in his 2002 Sequoia last weekend. Interesting that the differential and transfer case looked just like a 4Runner. Drain plugs, seals and torques all the same. We used a pump that I picked up at Pep Boys. Poured the Mobil 1 gear oil in a clean plastic milk jug and pumped away. This was much easier that trying to pour into the fill openings. I have tried it both ways now.

Location of the oil filter was very depressing for a 4Runner owner. Remove 5 bolts holding the one piece skid plate and the filter is right in front of your nose. Removal and installation is a snap. Wish my 4Runner was as easy.

 

I agree. I will be doing the oil filter relocation to make oil changes a snap. Check out this thread:

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...=&threadid=540

 

I'm afraid I'm too big a sissy about leaks, pressure drop unknowns, etc. to do a remote filter installation. I do my own changes and just clean up the mess afterwards. Seem there is no way I can avoid spilling oil when I remove the filter.

Thanks anyway for the link.

 

I hear ya, leaks are always a concern especially for engine fluids. I think Gadget has used this one and he's pretty careful about everything he does to his truck. I'll let you know how it goes when I purchase and install it though. Here's the link to the product I forgot in my previous reply, just in case you feel the urge to be persuaded heh.

Oil Filter Relocation Unit @ Performance Products

 

HBUM,

You are right. The drive train is esentially the same as a Tacoma with a V8.

It uses the 8.4 rear axle as the Taco with a girdle, same tranny, transfer case, and I believe same front axle as the 4Runner and Taco.

Pete

 

A couple more things. The grease fittings on, if I remember correctly, the front drive shaft don't have enough room for the end fitting on a standard grease gun. My son said the guys on the Tacoma board have found a reduced diameter fitting that works. Seems like a design slip up at Toyota to me.

The other thing. When we removed the fill plug on the rear differential we heard a hiss. My son later removed the breather fitting to see what was going on. He took it apart and said there is a spring and rubber disk that allows pressure to relieve but seems to stop air from entering the differential. Has anyone else looked into this? Seems it would work fine for keeping water out of the differential if you went in water over the breather.

 

The diff breather plug, yes. It remains closed unless pressure in the diff increases from heat, in which case it opens to let some air out. The problem with not extending the rear diff only comes into play if you off-road in water. While the axle is submerged, if it needs to release pressure, it opens up the valve, potentially allowing the water to enter and ruin it.

 

I was assuming the water would be cooler than the warm diff and it would tend to suck air in.

I agree that extended breathers are the preferred solution.

 

You could very well have a point. Cold water would certainly cool the diff down. A lot of guys have gone trudging through water with their axles submerged and not had a problem.

However, I think if you do heavy off-roading in the not-so-cold water (and are experienced) you might give it more gas and or turn the wheels more, making the differential work harder?

Interesting points of view on it, either way.