4Runner Differential and Transfer Case Fluid: Oil, Capacity and Torque (2010 Manual)
Quick safety check before you begin. Required: safety glasses, gloves, and the truck level on a lift or on jack stands with the wheels chocked. Recommended: a drain pan, a torque wrench and a fluid pump, because these fills go in from underneath through the filler hole. Toyota's notice on both units: too much or too little oil can cause problems, so set the level exactly, then drive the truck and check it again.
What you need
Parts
Tools
- Torque wrench: 29, 36, 48 and 27 ft-lb, depending on the plug
- Fluid pump for filling through the filler hole, and a drain pan
- Lift, or jack stands and wheel chocks; the truck must be level
- New gaskets for every plug you remove
- Safety glasses and gloves
The numbers
| Differential fluid, front and rear (2010 manual) | Toyota Genuine Differential Gear Oil LT, SAE 75W-85, API GL-5 or equivalent |
|---|---|
| Front differential capacity | 1.6 US qt (1.55 L) part-time 4WD; 1.5 US qt (1.40 L) full-time 4WD |
| Rear differential capacity | 2.9 US qt (2.70 L) without rear differential lock; 2.8 US qt (2.65 L) with lock |
| Front differential filler plug | 39 N·m (29 ft-lb), new gasket |
| Front differential drain plug | 65 N·m (48 ft-lb), new gasket |
| Rear differential drain and filler plug | 49 N·m (36 ft-lb), new gasket |
| Differential level | Oil between 0 and 5 mm (0 to 0.197 in.) below the bottom of the filler plug opening |
| Transfer case oil (2010 manual) | Toyota Genuine Transfer Gear Oil LF, SAE 75W |
| Transfer case capacity | 1.1 US qt (1.0 L) part-time 4WD; 1.5 US qt (1.4 L) full-time 4WD |
| Transfer case filler plug | 37 N·m (27 ft-lb), new gasket |
| Transfer case drain plug | Not given in the text of the 2010 manual we verified. Take it from your own manual. |
| Transfer case level | Oil between 0 and 5.0 mm (0 to 0.196 in.) below the bottom lip of the filler plug hole |
Step by step
Get the truck level and identify your drivetrain
Toyota's first instruction is to stop the vehicle on a level surface. Put the truck on a lift, or on jack stands with the wheels chocked, level side to side and front to back. Note whether you have part-time or full-time 4WD and whether the rear differential has the lock, because the capacities differ. You are working three units: the front differential, the rear differential and the transfer case. Each has a filler plug and a drain plug. Loosen every filler plug before you drain anything, so you are never left with an empty unit you cannot refill.
Check the level and drain the front differential
Remove the filler plug and gasket. The oil level should sit within 0 to 5 mm of the bottom of the filler opening. To change it, remove the drain plug and gasket and drain the oil. Install a new gasket and the drain plug at 65 N·m (48 ft-lb) on the front differential carrier.
Fill the front differential
Pour Toyota Genuine Differential Gear Oil LT 75W-85 GL-5 or equivalent in through the filler hole until it sits within 0 to 5 mm of the bottom of the opening. Expect about 1.6 US qt on part-time 4WD or 1.5 US qt on full-time 4WD. Install a new gasket and the filler plug at 39 N·m (29 ft-lb).
Rear differential: same fluid, different amount
Same procedure and the same fluid. The rear drain plug and filler plug are both 49 N·m (36 ft-lb), each with a new gasket. Expect about 2.9 US qt, or 2.8 US qt with the rear differential lock. Set the final level at the filler hole.
Drive the truck, then recheck both differentials
Toyota's last step for the differentials: drive the vehicle and check the oil level again. Add oil if needed. Too much or too little oil can cause problems.
Transfer case: filler plug first, then drain
Remove the transfer case filler plug and gasket, then the drain plug and gasket, and drain the oil. Pulling the filler plug first matters: if it will not break loose after you have drained the case, you have an empty case and no way to refill it. The 2010 manual prints the same inspection and fill steps for both of its transfer case types (VF2A and VF4BM).
Refill the transfer case slowly and set the level
Install a new gasket and the drain plug (take that torque from your own manual). Add Toyota Genuine Transfer Gear Oil LF 75W slowly, a little at a time, waiting several minutes between additions. Wait about 5 minutes and check that the level has not changed. The level is between 0 and 5.0 mm below the bottom lip of the filler hole. Install a new gasket and the filler plug at 37 N·m (27 ft-lb). Expect about 1.1 US qt on part-time 4WD or 1.5 US qt on full-time.
Rather we did it?
We service differentials and transfer cases at scheduled events across Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska. If you would rather hand it to someone, book a slot.
Find your exact tune →Questions owners ask
Toyota's 2010 repair manual specifies Toyota Genuine Differential Gear Oil LT, SAE 75W-85, API GL-5 or equivalent, for both the front and the rear differential. Toyota's published 2024 specification lists the same grade.
No. The 2010 manual lists Toyota Genuine Transfer Gear Oil LF, SAE 75W, for the transfer case. The differentials take the 75W-85 GL-5 gear oil.
From the 2010 manual: front differential 1.6 US qt (part-time 4WD) or 1.5 US qt (full-time 4WD); rear differential 2.9 US qt, or 2.8 US qt with the rear differential lock; transfer case 1.1 US qt (part-time) or 1.5 US qt (full-time). Toyota's 2024 figures match.
Five quarts covers a front and a rear on either drivetrain: the most the front takes is 1.6 US qt and the most the rear takes is 2.9, which is 4.5 together. Add 1.1 to 1.5 qt of transfer gear oil if you are doing the transfer case.
Toyota's 2024 maintenance guide says to inspect or replace the front and rear differential oil at specified intervals, and to replace the transfer case oil at specified intervals. It also says that after off-roading through deep sand, mud or water you should check the differential oil and the transfer case oil on 4WD models every day. The mileage for your year is in your own maintenance guide, so we do not print a number as Toyota's.
The 2010 manual is the one we read in full. Toyota's published 2024 figures for the fluid grades and capacities match it, but we have not verified each year in between. Confirm your year in your own manual.
It holds slightly less: 2.8 US qt instead of 2.9 in the 2010 manual. Torque on the rear plugs is the same 36 ft-lb.
More for the 2010–2024 4Runner
Fluid grades, capacities, torques and level checks are quoted from Toyota's 2010 4Runner repair manual (4.0L V6, 1GR-FE, 4WD). Capacities and fluid names were cross-checked against Toyota's 2024 published specifications. Model years in between are not separately verified here, and the transfer case drain plug torque is not printed in the text we read. Confirm the specification for your exact year, and torque to spec. AMSOIL's coverage of this application is AMSOIL's published claim. Tuned Yota is an independent AMSOIL dealer; parts links are our store.