Rear diff breather extension

Search is coming up empty...is there a definitive thread on extending the rear diff breather on a 5th gen T4R I can look at? I've seen plenty of writeups for Tacomas (did that myself some years back, relocated in the left rear tail light housing), earlier gen T4Rs, etc., but am wondering what location 5th gen owners are selecting to relocate the breather, and whether the consensus is to use a 1-way or 2-way valve, or a filter of some sort...

 

I haven't done it, but here's a write up on it.

https://trail4runner.com/2017/08/15/differential-breather-kit-install-5th-gen-4runner/

 

Thanks, I saw that write up. The idea is fine, just not particularly fond of the $74 price tag for the ARB kit. I seem to remember the components for doing this on my Tacoma were around $12 - $15. I suppose I could buy fuel line, clamps, and the two fittings, and route the line the same way into the engine bay.

 

I did exactly what I did on my Tacoma with pretty much the same parts. I put the end up in the cavity behind the passenger side rear wheel well by the rear light assembly.

 

Same components as Tacoma kit. I ran mine into the rear taillight area.

 

Did you both do this on your 4Rs? If so, any pics? And by "same parts" and "same components", the same as what, exactly?

 

Yes. I don’t have the part numbers handy; but I’d bought the parts to do an extension for the rear of my Taco, but never got around to doing it before I sold it and bought a 4Runner. I then used those same parts, and did the extension on the rear of my 4Runner.

A quick google search should get you the part numbers, or for simplicity, just get them in kit form. I removed the short valve on the axle, replaced with the nipple; hooked hose to
nipple using a worm drive clamp, then ran the hose up towards the body, across to the frame rail, then along the frame rail and up into the taillight. Running it into the interior would be a better long term spot, but this spot was quick and easy, and gets it up way higher than factory. It’s double zip tied to that spot; and also zip tied here and there around the length of the run to secure it well.

 

Thank you, exactly what I was looking for. Do you have a photo further out, that shows your end location? Hard to tell in close. I appreciate the help.

 

Not right at the moment, that’s the only one I took with my phone. That spot is the taillight (with taillight removed). It sits right beneath where the taillight is with it reinstalled.

roughly where I circled red here

 

It's been years, but I think I used a fish tape to snake the hose up through the underside into the jack storage compartment. Don't know the nipple part number either, but it came from the local Toyota dealer. Leave some slack for the suspension to cycle as well. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...AE3C8mODiwGn44RuhBTHsDF-nJEHikQhoC6p8QAvD_BwE

 

I'm going a different route by venting the rear axle to the cavity behind the gas filler door.
I think that it will have a lesser chance of gear oil fumes entering the cabin area.

 

Never noticed any fumes even on extended trips to PA, Tenn and AZ, but completely understand, as it was definitely one my concerns. I just never liked the stock valve and there isn't room in the filler door for the cheap filter I went with. And if I ever got off camber in some deep water it would be less likely to get inside the storage area. Now if you have passengers or little ones in that area, definite concern. Hope it works out!!

 

Perfect, thank you. Did you have to drill a hole to get the fuel line into the area behind the tail light?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...cate-3rd-gen-4runner-version-pictures.403152/

 

I'm a bit behind on this one, but I got my kit from low range offroad iirc. It was the same as the tacoma one. Just a longer hose.

https://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/toy...ther-kit-5-ft-hose-1-cap-1-barb-2-clamps.html

This is it.

 

You do not, it is open through to the bottom towards the bumper. Was pretty easy to fish the hose through.

 

Good to know, thank you!

 

I see that on their site. Do they offer a separate kit for the 4R with longer fuel line than 5 ft?

 

Not sure. But 5 ft should be fine, unless you wanted to run it under the hood right? I mean, the tacoma kit is meant to run it either into a bed cubby or the fuel door anyways. I'm sure you could call and ask for a longer length regardless.

The only reason I have it is because I had a Taco and I blew out the rear pinion seal due to my diff vent getting plugged. Kept it with the intent to do it on my 4runner.

 

This guy offers a kit for $30 shipped with everything needed; it comes with 5 ft of fuel line, with more length available at an added cost. Can anyone weigh in as to whether 5 ft would work to reach the ds tail light? I haven't yet crawled under there to measure...

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...kits-30-free-shipping-or-free-install.641193/

 

Yes, the breather valve is located on the drivers side of the differential pumpkin. Remember to give a little slack for the articulations of the rear axle. There is a cross member almost right above you can go over. I then went over the spare tire and you can come out right by the cavity for the fuel filler hoses right behind the rear wheel well. I ran it up into that cavity and zipped tied it to one of the other hoses in that cavity. I figured it would be pretty unlikely I would be going into deep enough water as high as the fuel filler door. 5ft. Is just enough with 12”-18” of slack. I used more than one zip tie though, 3 just to keep the line from flapping around and to tie it up inside the cavity to keep it from falling down.

 

Would you happen to remember what length of hose you used for your installation?

 

I don't remember for sure... but I think I started with an 8ft hose; but then ended trimming off about 2-3 ft. That was being generous with the slack at the axle to account for droop.

I worked backwards and got the one end secured in the taillight first, then fed the line down and across to the axle; then once it was all ran and secured with zip ties, I trimmed off the excess, then secured it to the axle fitting.

 

Sort of hit a brick wall...this seller hasn't responded to my pms regarding placing an order...on to plan B, I guess...

Maybe he doesn't want to sell to a 4R owner.

 

Finally heard from seller. Placed an order today, and they shipped it today. Very impressed. Even had a custom length fuel line.

 

Do you really need to relocate the elocker and rear ? I installed the rear with the ARB kit and routed to the engine bay. I have read conflicting information regarding the elocker breather. The basis of my question is that some have stated that the elocker shares the same air space as the rear diff so that by relocating the rear diff breather, the elocker does not pose a potential vacuum issue. If submerged, the elocker valve will close, but the open rear diff breather (after relocating) will provide enough relief to prevent a vacuum from occurring. I can't seem to find a definitive answer and was hoping someone here has more mechanical/technical knowledge than I do.

 

Got a question for you - in this photo, where you can see the breather end, is it zip tied at the end at all where the breather is, or just wedged in there by those plastic clips?

The reason I ask is, I got to that point in the install, but didn't really see any good place to zip tie the breather end. Without knowing where to secure the end, I just put the stock breather back on until I can figure it out.

 

I did a double zip tie. I have a zip tie around the end of the hose, and a zip tie looped in around that one... the second zip tie went around one of the plastic clips; then both zip ties were tightened down and ends snipped.

 

Gotcha, thanks.

I'll give it another go tomorrow. I can't believe I gave up so easily...I usually figure something out, one way or another. I should have contacted you sooner...

 

All finished. I ended up putting a zip tie through the hose clamp on the breather end, then put that around the plastic clip. Worked fine.

Thanks for the ideas.

For reference, the length of fuel line used for this location, with plenty of slack for axle articulation - 5' 8".

Gary