Differential Fluid Service - 5th Gen Toyota 4Runner

In this video I will show you how to easily change the front and rear differential fluid on your 5th Gen 4Runner.
Pennzoil Fluid Transfer pump - amzn.to/4d3JUyW
10mm Hex Bit Socket - amzn.to/4d5qhXB
1/2" Torque Wrench - amzn.to/4aALAyD
1 quart Red Line Synthetic 75W85 GL 5 - amzn.to/3W4lDDc
1 gallon Red Line Synthetic 75W85 GL 5 - amzn.to/3W112iU
Crush Washers - amzn.to/4d16bgS
or
Toyota Part Numbers from Dealership:
Front Diff: Toyota #90430-24003 (drain), Toyota #12157-10010 (fill)
Rear Diff: Toyota #12157-10010 (drain & fill)
Thanks for watching!
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[@ryanm4013]

One thing to add is to ALWAYS make sure you can remove the fill plug before you touch the drain plug. Draining fluid that you cannot refill is going to make you have a very bad day!!

[@T4Rgarage]

Good call, pinned your comment 👍

[@ryanm4013]

@@T4Rgarage Love the content..keep it coming!!

[@petyweestraw]

Tip... order GX460 fill and drain plugs. They have 14mm head to use a socket vs the allen.

[@dylanlane9405]

The quality in these videos is top notch! the camera angles the lighting the information everything is just perfect. Bravo

[@johndicianni8229]

Thanks! Can’t believe the dealer wanted to charge me $150 each diff!! Appreciate the content.

[@2shoestoo]

Auto mechanics make as much as plumbers now days was not that way back in the 70s and 80s when I was wrenching

[@michaele8316]

⁠@@2shoestootechnician probably getting $15 of that $150

[@jeffbergsbaken9637]

2 thumbs up to you and your channel! We have 3 5th gen 4 runners in our family and my jaw dropped when I was given an estimate for transfer/diff oil changes! I found your channel and your video was outstanding! I’ve changed the above fluids on my 2 4 runners and will help my son with vehicle. Thanks so much for doing this and saving money for us do it your selfers!

[@T4Rgarage]

Thank you! Happy you found it useful

[@chrisleahy847]

Just did front/rear diff and transfer case fluid. Had ur video playing the whole time helping me through. Really appreciate your videos and I use them all the time. Thx for all your help!

[@jeremychrist]

Appreciate the walkthrough! I’ve watched many videos on 5th gen 4Runner front and rear differential fluid changes and your how-to video has been the most detailed, including the list of crush washers, tools, and differential oil part numbers. Thank you!

[@jono7248]

Best video so far. I hate when most people say "make sure not to over fill" lol. Just fill till it comes out and wait till it stops.

[@ifern4545]

As I'm watching your video, seating at de Toyota dealer, they are doing the differential service on my 2015 4Runner, just realized I got robbed. They charging me 545.00 for oil change + differential service, wowwww.

[@T4Rgarage]

Sorry to hear that. I do it myself because it’s cheaper and I don’t trust the dealer to do it right or use the best product

[@VA7AYG]

Just Toyota oil diff and trans case and washers cost me 500cad. That’s not bad price I’d say

[@marvinyoung2064]

This…I’m currently at the dealer waiting for this service to be done on my ‘22 4Runner. I’ve barely had it a year but I'm pretty sure it was previously a rental and more than likely not properly maintained. I wish I was more mechanically inclined. Maybe once this thing gets older I'll start tinkering with the minor things.

[@johnnyd768]

Great video. I also pour in some new fluid (when both plugs are removed) to flush out more of the old oil.

[@k31rifleman]

Thank you for posting 4Runner brother😎💪🏼

[@rioborzeli147]

Great video, 75/85 now in our runner . Funny the dealer did not want to sell me oil. lol , They said we don't sell our Toyota warranty approved oil, lol. Ok I found this channel Thanks

[@pkmzeta]

Thank you for making a great video! Good angles, clear, and to the point!

[@mattfredericks5999]

Another awesome maintenance vid. My first change at 60k (second owner) and I don't think it had ever been done. Drain bolts were on tight, watch your knuckles! Pump for rear will take some time, find a tune with a good beat and get pumping. Thanks again

[@mukbangmejia]

Thank you, for the help and knowledge. Keep these videos coming!!

[@P4X1279]

Nice video! I use a different trick to get the fluid in using my compact compressor. Get some small diameter clear tube and drill a slightly smaller hole in the bottle cap. Has to be a tight fit. Run the hose thru the cap long enough to reach the bottom of the bottle. Then put a basketball inflator needle on your air hose and poke it thru the side of the bottle (above the fluid level). Set the regulator to low and pressurize the bottle. When fluid starts to overflow the fill plug, just yank the needle out of the bottle.

[@T4Rgarage]

That’s a neat trick!

[@P4X1279]

@T4R Garage thanks. cheaper than buying a pump and you just trash the hose when you are done. Don't have to worry about getting gear oil contamination in your transfer case by sharing a pump.

[@rolandoleybag8577]

Nice video bro.. very educational & informative.. have 50000kms. Right now so soon I will be chnging it. Thanks again & god bless stay safe always.👍👍😊🇨🇦

[@T4Rgarage]

Thank you, you as well! 😊

[@adriandevora4090]

pretty good explaining. made it look easy ...... i shall try

[@thedrace]

Great vid, helped alot. You must have a lift on yours, because I bought the torque wrench you have linked and I couldn't use it to tighten the front diff fill plug, it would hit the floor right when resistance would start. Had to buy a smaller 1/4 one and put adapters on it. Also the part #90430-24003 my dealer could not find and gave part #90430-24017.

[@boyscout6566]

Just did the differentials and the transfer case at 60k miles. The rear diff fluid appeared muddy, the front diff fluid appeared decent and good for at least another 30k but the transfer case fluid looked brand new.

[@alejandrobaez6301]

perfect! fast and easy. Transfer Case same process

[@T4Rgarage]

Exactly! 😁👍🏼 transfer case next

[@love4steel]

nice one. excellent quality video. thanks

[@fidellsam2478]

Thanks for videos, can I use this oil for my 4Runner SR5 year 2023 2 wheels drive

[@znf3]

You are the best

[@FirstnameLastname-vy2dg]

I just used 75w90

[@Jaxboy86]

That works too. As long as its GL-5.

[@gskills]

I've changed my diff fluids / transfer case fluids. One thing I want to figure out is how to change the transmission fluid. In terms of redline fluids. Lordco has it they had to ship it from the warehouse

[@T4Rgarage]

I bought some from Lordco as well 👍🏼 Next video will be Transfer case then I’ll be doing the transmission

[@rupertgumban9251]

Awesome,detailed video! Are you planning to install front differential drop kit?

[@T4Rgarage]

Thank you! If I eventually lift higher than 3” I will

[@chrishernandez7623]

For anyone without a lift and doing it in there driveway(not paved just rocks) it was a tight squeeze when doing the front and I’m only 150 pounds 😂 I got it done but man was it a little rough took me 1 hour 30 mins front and back

[@pokeypitbull]

I'd imagine getting the skid plate off was the real hard part. I work in the same environment, and I can't take and of the skids off without driving the 4R up some rhino ramps.

[@BradJ90]

Dealership wants to charge 150 + for this. Don’t let them scam ya!

[@andrzejzie7046]

What is the part number for the washer of the fill plug in front? I assume that the both plugs in the rear would be also the same. I have 4Runner 2022. Great video. Thank you.

[@T4Rgarage]

The part numbers are in the description of the video. Thank you

[@k31rifleman]

Just FYI that pump was a lifesaver and it fits perfect on a Lucas oil bottle

[@T4Rgarage]

I love that pump as well! Cheers

[@strikerbrown8395]

Thanks for putting this video together. It was so helpful! Quick question re oil fill levels for the rear differential. I drive a 2018 4Runner SR5. I noticed that the rear diff held more oil than the manual indicates before it began to drip from the fill plug. Mine took roughly 3.25 qts as opposed to the 2.9 qts indicated in the manual. I confirmed vehicle was 100% level prior to performing the service. Did you notice the same thing? Should I be concerned I've overfilled the rear diff?

[@T4Rgarage]

As long as you filled it up to the fill plug you should be good 👍🏼 It’s pretty much impossible to overfill as long if the vehicle is level. I wouldn’t worry about it

[@strikerbrown8395]

Thanks!@@T4Rgarage

[@zack_fick]

I have gallons of 85W90. Will use that in my TRD 5gen. I don’t think it’ll make much difference. Any thoughts?

[@tytrammell23]

Really good video

[@jeseniagarcia5835]

My back diff took about 3.5 quarts before it started spilling out!!

[@jaymurphy1306]

Same here!

[@hermanpeters549]

Did mines today

[@morpheus1818]

I think the flat side of the crush washer should sit against the bolt head rather than against the differential housing. But I've seen differing opinions about this. What do you think?

[@T4Rgarage]

I would just look at how it was placed from factory when you take it off and replicate that. I don’t know if it makes a difference

[@morpheus1818]

@@T4Rgarage Thanks.

[@geeeandy]

I was told by my local toyota dealership when i was picking up the crush washers that they recommended me to use 75W90 instead of 75w85 due to the "extreme" weather swings where I live in montana. I was curious to understand if that is a valid and I will not damage my car.

[@T4Rgarage]

A lot of people use 75W90 as it’s cheaper and easier to find. I wanted to go with a quality synthetic at the exact weight that Toyota recommends. Both will work great though 👍🏼

[@jinsup5378]

I did my front diff today. Wow these oil smells like 💩. Only got about 1/3 quart out, and it seems to be pure metal juice...

[@GG-un5wk]

Thanks for an other great video. Sorry if this sounds obvious but I have a lot to learn and just want to make sure but since my SR5 is a rear-wheel drive, I only have to worry about the rear differential right? I should not have front differential. And another question. Do I really need a torque wrench? I don’t own and never used one. Thank you for your help!!

[@T4Rgarage]

Yes, you will only have the rear differential to worry about, so only 3 quarts of fluid. I would highly recommend a torque wrench but you might be able to get away without it 🤷🏻‍♂️ Just don’t over tighten or leave it too loose

[@GG-un5wk]

@@T4Rgarage thank you. I’ll get one and learn how to use it. Till next video 👍

[@GG-un5wk]

@@T4Rgarage Hi there, so I just replaced the oil and used a torque wrench. So easy thx to you. I used the 3 quarts but I didn’t get any overflow of oil like on your video 🤔. I measured the amount of oil that I drained out and got 2 3/4 of oil ( by the way it was dark brown looks like never got changed). Do you know if the 3 quarts is standard for all 4Runners? I’m wondering if I should add more oil until overflows. Thank you for your help!

[@Jayda08]

Anytime you are working under a vehicle, you must wear eye protection because you never know what might fall in to your eyes.

[@plamendobrev5416]

Great video. Did you also do the transfer case as well?

[@T4Rgarage]

Thank you! Yes, I have a video for that one as well

[@TheHispanicBatman]

Where'd you snag the Wild Renfrew hoodie? Do they sell them at the little shop as you come into town? Been looking around whenever I'm up there lol.

[@T4Rgarage]

They have a small gift shop by the pier behind the pub that sells them. Think it was like $75

[@rickharrison6969]

Curious if this is the same for limiteds? I changed the front, rear diffs and transfer case and almost feel like there is some resistance at low speed on turns where before the change I never noticed that. Is this normal?

[@T4Rgarage]

It’s the exact same for limiteds. Make sure you aren’t in 4HL

[@BroBob1254]

Excellent! Under normal conditions how often do you change it?

[@T4Rgarage]

30-40k miles is a good interval for normal conditions

[@justchillingbuddyify]

Toyota 4 runner 5 gen 2015 2WD has transfer case ? Thanks a lot

[@andrebazo623]

can i use a 10 mm hex on a 3/8 torque wrench instead of 10 mm hex on a 1/2 torque wrench

[@T4Rgarage]

@@andrebazo623 it would work but you might need a cheater bar

[@miguela10633]

Can you buy the crush washers at an autozone and what size are they.?

[@ian0841]

Why do you recommend 1/2" drive for the hex socket and 24mm socket as opposed to 3/8" drive?

[@T4Rgarage]

3/8” works as well. The drain plug and fill can be on there pretty good requiring a breaker bar. I just said 1/2” as my torque wrench is 1/2” and breaker bar are 1/2” to handle additional torque needed

[@chadjoneslsu]

What size is the hex

[@terryhenry8243]

10mm ​@@chadjoneslsu

[@pastam86]

Rear differential torque spec should be 36 ft-lbf

[@crosseyedcricket2394]

Here’s a question, anyone know the part number for the rear differential vent/breather for a 5th gen? 2018 if it matters

[@djandyg_la]

I'm curious, what year is your 5th gen? Seen a few different videos that use different torque specs..

[@T4Rgarage]

2017

[@travistv2174]

What about 4x4 transfer case? Does that need attention as well?

[@T4Rgarage]

Yes it does, I have another video for the transfer case

[@schachlokarpa]

What's the torque spec for the skid plate?

[@thedrace]

Wondering that too

[@WhiskeyCharged]

How do you dispose/recycle old diff/transfer case fluid?

[@tobiashansen8757]

Go to your local auto parts store and they should have an oil drum.

[@occipitalexposure5059]

Anyone know the torque spec for those four 12mm bolts on the oil pan/transmission skid plate?

[@mattfredericks5999]

21 lb for engine and trans skid plate

[@vinnymodrak1625]

What kind of torque wrench do you have?

[@T4Rgarage]

EPAuto 1/2” torque wrench from Amazon, it’s been great 👍🏼

[@DRIVENROYALTY]

Is this the same for the limiteds?

[@T4Rgarage]

Yes, this is a limited with a front bumper swap

[@demetriusvillegas92]

Funny. My rear diff needed an impact to come off. Front, damn near no effort needed