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4th Gen Toyota Tacoma (2024+) Front & Rear Differential Fluid Change Guide

Full comprehensive DIY guide with quick‑reference specs, tools, and step‑by‑step instructions.

Quick Reference​

Schedule​

  • 15,000 miles or 18 months if "driving while towing, using a car-top carrier, or heavy vehicle loading"
    • Otherwise, says to just inspect every 15,000 / 18 months

Front Differential​

Approx 1.6 quarts of 75W-85 oil

BoltToolTorque SpecCrush Washer Part #
Fill Bolt10mm hex bit29 ft‑lbs (348 in‑lbs)12157‑10010
Drain Bolt10mm hex bit48 ft‑lbs (576 in‑lbs)90430‑24017

Rear Differential​

Approx 4.2 quarts of 75W-85 oil

BoltToolTorque SpecCrush Washer Part #
Fill Bolt24mm socket36 ft‑lbs (432 in‑lbs)12157‑10010
Drain Bolt24mm socket36 ft‑lbs (432 in‑lbs)12157‑10010

Crush Washer Orientation: Smooth side toward the differential housing; rounded/seamed side toward the bolt head.

Required Parts​

  • Gear Oil: 75W‑85 full synthetic gear oil, 6 quarts total for front + rear (with 6 qts, I still had extra left over)
  • Crush Washers: (Toyota part #'s)
    • 3x: 12157‑10010 (2x for rear diff, and 1x for front fill bolt)
    • 1x: 90430‑24017 (front drain bolt)

Required Tools​

  • Torque wrench that works with the 10mm hex and 24mm socket below
  • Socket wrench + extensions
  • Breaker wrench that works with the 10mm hex and 24mm socket below
  • 10mm hex bit (front diff)
    • These are uncommon, your standard toolset probably doesn't have this
  • 24mm socket (rear diff)
    • These are uncommon, your standard toolset probably doesn't have this
  • 12mm socket (skid plates)
  • Oil drain pan (capacity 6 qt+)
  • Rags, gloves, shop towels
  • Pump optional — squeeze‑pack oils worked for me
  • Tools to lower spare tire (behind rear passenger seat)

Before You Start​

  • Perform this on level ground.
  • Warm the drivetrain with a short drive for easier draining.
  • Do not remove a drain bolt until you confirm the fill bolt can be loosened.

FRONT DIFFERENTIAL​

Image of front diff drain and fill plugs

1. Remove Skid Plates​

  • Using a 12mm socket, remove the 8 bolts securing the two skid plates.
    • Support the plates as you remove the final bolts—they can be awkward

2. Loosen Fill Bolt​

  • Using a 10mm hex bit, break loose the fill bolt first
    • Always loosen the fill bolt before draining... If it’s stuck, you’d be unable to refill the diff
    • Do not fully remove it yet

3. Drain Oil​

  • Place your oil pan under the differential
  • Remove the 10mm hex drain bolt and drain into pan
    • Dark oil with metallic shimmer is normal for diff fluid.
    • Remove the fill bolt to help it drain completely

4. Reinstall Drain Bolt​

  • Clean the metal sludge off of the magnetic end of the drain bolt
  • Replace the old crush washer with #90430‑24017
    • Verify no old washer is stuck on the housing
  • Tighten the bolt to 48 ft‑lbs (576 in‑lbs)

5. Fill Oil​

  • Add ~1.6 qt of 75W‑85 oil in fill hole until the oil slightly weeps out
    • It can be difficult to reach the fill plug, but it's possible to use the 1 qt squeeze pouches (I used those and it worked okay) or you can use a pump

6. Reinstall Fill Bolt​

  • Replace the old crush washer with #12157‑10010
    • Verify no old washer is stuck on the housing
    • Place smooth side toward the differential housing; rounded/seamed side toward the bolt head
  • Tighten the bolt to 29 ft‑lbs (348 in‑lbs)

7. Reinstall Skid Plates​

  • Using a 12mm socket, reinstall the 8 bolts holding on the two skid plates
    • You'll start by installing the rear skid plate first
    • Torque specs are not necessary, snug them well

REAR DIFFERENTIAL​

1. Lower Spare Tire​

  • Remove the tool kit from behind the rear passenger seat
  • Insert and rotate the tool through the rear bumper port to lower the tire fully, then slide it out

2. Loosen Fill Bolt​

  • Using a 24mm socket, break loose the fill bolt first
    • The fill bolt is located high on the rear diff cover
    • Loosen it first to ensure that refill won't be a problem
    • Do not fully remove it yet

3. Drain Oil​

  • Place your drain pan under the differential
  • Remove the 24mm drain bolt and drain into pan
    • Expect a larger volume than the front (4+ qts)
    • Remove the fill bolt to help it drain completely

4. Reinstall Drain Bolt​

  • Clean the metal sludge off of the magnetic end of the drain bolt
  • Replace the old crush washer with #12157‑10010
    • Verify no old washer is stuck on the housing
    • Place smooth side toward the differential housing; rounded/seamed side toward the bolt head
  • Tighten the bolt to 36 ft‑lbs (432 in‑lbs)

5. Fill Oil​

  • Add ~4.2 qt of 75W‑85 oil in fill hole until the oil slightly weeps out
    • Fill through the upper port using squeeze packets or a pump
      • The rear diff is very easy to refill using squeeze packets
    • The correct level is reached when fluid begins to overflow the fill hole

6. Reinstall Fill Bolt​

  • Replace the old crush washer with #12157‑10010
    • Verify no old washer is stuck on the housing
    • Place smooth side toward the differential housing; rounded/seamed side toward the bolt head
  • Tighten the bolt to 36 ft‑lbs (432 in‑lbs)

7. Reinstall Spare Tire​

  • Slide the tire back under, align the cable, and crank it up until fully seated
    • Verify it is centered and snug

Final Checks

  • Wipe down all components and confirm no leaks.
  • Dispose of old gear oil properly (O'Reilly Auto / AutoZone / etc accepts it for free)
  • Test drive for several minutes, then recheck for seepage.

Notes & Tips

  • If a washer seems missing, it's often stuck to the housing. Remove it gently.
  • You can do the entire job without lifting the truck, but lifting improves access.
  • Slight metallic fuzz on magnets is normal; chunks are not.

Your differential service is complete!