Confusion over front differential vs transfer case

[Kostyan]

Had our RX on a lift to replace the fluids and was confused over location of the front differential and the transfer case. There is only one other drain plug besides tranny drain plug on the single assembly that may look like transmission, front differential, and transfer case combined.

Can anyone confirm or deny if the front differential is "built-in" the transmission so it is using the same ATF type IV fluid as transmission, and that other plug is a transfer case plug? '05 RX330 AWD

[o2k]

Originally Posted by Kostyan

Had our RX on a lift to replace the fluids and was confused over location of the front differential and the transfer case. There is only one other drain plug besides tranny drain plug on the single assembly that may look like transmission, front differential, and transfer case combined.

Can anyone confirm or deny if the front differential is "built-in" the transmission so it is using the same ATF type IV fluid as transmission, and that other plug is a transfer case plug? '05 RX330 AWD

I was planning on doing a drain and fill today. Haven't looked underneath, but if this is the case I would like to know as well. Does anyone have the amount of fluid that I will need to refill the transmission with?

[Scottydog]

The specs part of the manual lists an automatic transaxle 3.7 qts Toyota ATF WS (sounds like combined tranny/front dif), rear dif and transfer case 1 qt SAE90 each. That would account for 2 front drains plus the rear dif.

The transfer case drain will be obvious stinky gear oil, tranny the red stuff.

[Kostyan]

ok then it seems that the separate plug was for transfer case. btw is there a special tool required to get that drain plug(bolt)off? My mechanic could not take that off because the head is so thin, and it required a good bit of effort to loosen up. I told him to leave it alone because did not want it stripped.