Not sure if the right spot for this and maybe better suited for the 4runner forum but thought I would ask here. Toyota in their infinite wisdom decided to plumb the breathers for the transfer case and the front diff to the engine bay but left the rear diff (and e-locker) breathers located right where they are in the rear. There have been many a diy and most of them involve fuel line and worm clamps. ARB offers a kit which has shark bite valves and polyethelyne tubing. Part for the DIY vs the kit are probably the same in cost so in my mind it boils down to sustainability of fuel line vs the polyethelyne tubing and long term stability/security of the shark bite valves and regular fuel line vs the worm clamps. Thoughts, real world experience, etc appreciate. Why a company like Toyota didn't plum this one to the engine bay like they did for transfer case and front diff; well thats another quetsion... Thanks
5th gen 4runner rear diff breather
- Thread starter Icculus
- Start date
astroflashjones
Rank V
Advocate I
Member III
On one of my Jeeps, I installed these small bellows on the breathers. They expand and contract with usage. Great Idea, sealed but allowing expansion, easy and no mess. On my next vehicle I realized there wasn't really a need. I check my diff fluid regularly and change it yearly. I drain it across a piece of cardboard and that catches debris, kind of like a sluse box. No debris, water or anything an extended breather would prevent. I do very few deep water crossings but I still do them. Normal rain fall dosent seem to effect anything. If I did get some water in, it gets evaporated out.
I don’t mod my breathers anymore and so far all is good.
Forgot to add. Long breathers, running from the back to front need to be kept at an up angle. The fumes will collect in the dips forming small puddles of oil . When the diff pressurizes, the oil gets pushed out the top making a mess. This is probably why Toyota didnt tie them together. I learned this from one of my older Jeeps.
I don’t mod my breathers anymore and so far all is good.
Forgot to add. Long breathers, running from the back to front need to be kept at an up angle. The fumes will collect in the dips forming small puddles of oil . When the diff pressurizes, the oil gets pushed out the top making a mess. This is probably why Toyota didnt tie them together. I learned this from one of my older Jeeps.
Last edited:
