Southern Africa 4×4 – Off-road Trips & Vehicle Mods

All 4×4’s and offroad vehicles should have a differential or diff. A diff transfers the power from the drive-train to the vehicles wheels. As the differential gets hot with use, it needs to breathe or equalise the pressure build up with the outside air pressure. To achieve this a differential breather is uses. It consists of a one way valve that lets air out but prevents water, dust and anything else from entering the differential. However when a hot differential is cooled suddenly as when a 4×4 drives through water, the difference in temperature causes the air pressure in the diff to drop sharply. As the diff breather is a one-way valve, this causes whatever is surrounding the diff to be sucked in through the oil seals. With the case of a water crossing, water is sucked into the diff where it mixes with the oil and causes all sorts of problems.

Extend 4×4 Differential Breathers

To overcome this you would need to extend your breathers to a point where they can breathe pure air.

Step 1 – Parts Needed For 4×4 Differential Breather Extension

I bought these two fittings from a local store for R10 each. 1/8 inch thread to 6mm. This should fit most Toyota Hilux’s.

Toyota Hilux Diff Breather