Transfer Case oil

Can Amsoil

$39 75w-90 GL-5 Limited Slip, Ultra Long Drain 500k Miles, Manual Transmission, Gear/Differential Lubricant (1 Gallon)

75w-90 gear oil be used in the transfer case? It calls for just a 75W.

 

Opinions vary, but the manual is clear. That said, I run amsoil

$39 75w-90 GL-5 Limited Slip, Ultra Long Drain 500k Miles, Manual Transmission, Gear/Differential Lubricant (1 Gallon)

75w-90 in my transfer case and have -300k across two 4Rs maybe 5k on my tundra. I exercise the t-case regularly and have had no issues.

 

Just make sure it's GL-4 and not GL-5. Some products will claim they're compatible with both, but that's literally impossible (contradictory). So ensure it's only GL-4 and not GL-5 compatible.

 

Completely different t-case in the

$25 2014-2021 tundra Driver Side (Chrome-Left)

2014-2021 tundra. All other t-cases were spec’d for 75-90.

 

75w is what my 2011 4R manuals call for as well, alternatives are controversial with that crowd also: Here is some good on-topic reading in the tundra transfer case oil:
https://www.blauparts.com/blog/toyota-tundra-transfer-case-fluid-types-specs.html

https://www.tundras.com/threads/transfer-case-oil-change.76307/

 

I used Redline MT-LV gear oil in my transfer case, as it specifically is GL-4 and not GL-5 compatible. It also states on the bottle that it's safe to use in lieu of Toyota 75w gear oil.

Also it's only like $20 a quart instead of $90 per quart for Toyota 75w.

 

Thanks!!

 

Thanks y’all! I’m just gonna order the ravenoil 75W to be safe.

 

That's the exact oil I'm using.

 

I have read article and opinion over and over. They seem to stack up that a synthetic

$39 75w-90 GL-5 Limited Slip, Ultra Long Drain 500k Miles, Manual Transmission, Gear/Differential Lubricant (1 Gallon)

75w-90 is perfectly fine in front, rear and T case. I bought a case of valvoline 75w-90 on Amazon for $100. I do find it interesting though that we are recommended to change this fluid every 30k miles. I work in chemical plants and that 75w-90 is the same oil used in many pieces of rotating equipment operated 24-7-365. We change it every 5 years…..

 

Amsoil has no products listed for the transfer case..

 

If you can find a 75w90 oil that is GL4 than your fine to use it. Toyota specifies GL4 oil for the transfer case.

 

I’m gonna change it every 60,000 miles that will be about 4 years for me.

 

Shouldn't be an issue. The rear diff would be earlier for me since I tow. If you do also, maybe do the rear at 45k.

As long as you work out the T-case once a month you should be fine.

If you live in the city, find a nice straight road that is about 2-3 miles long or more. Switch to 4hi and turn off when desired or before a curve.

You can do the same in 4lo but I reserve that for little to no traffic since you have to be stopped and in neutral to engage/disengage.

 

The reason for switching from 2HI to 4HI and 4LO is to exercise the transfer case actuator and the front diff actuator. You don't have to drive the truck a couple of miles in 4WD. You can switch it back and forth in the driveway. The actuators tend to seize up if not used for a long period of time and is not related to the transfer case oil life.

 

This is the part number for the only approved fluid by

$94 Toyota 08885-81080 Toyota Genuine Transfer Case Gear Oil LF 75W 1 Litre 08885-81080

Toyota 08885-81080. No other fluid is remotely close to it when compared with oil analysis. That said, many on the forum have used Ravenol, Redline, and amsoil products, many have also just used 75w90 which is what many have reported dealers have used. I think the biggest issue with using 75w90 over 75w is the 75w90 is much thicker and causes issues engaging when its cold, which for me is the majority of time I need 4x4 so I stick with the Toyota fluid and have had no issues going in and out of 4x4 im the winter.

 

Got it thanks. I thought it was two fold. Lube the actuators then lube the chain and other components under movement. Guess the latter is not really needed.

 

Changed it at 50k in my Tacoma and looked just like the stuff I poured out of the bottle. I change the diffs every 30k. My transfer case is overdue but not worried about it until it warms up some. I have 2 quarts of Ravenol in my cart on Ebay. Reading this I might delete them and get the GL4 mentioned here.

 

GL-5 supersedes GL-4, there is no reason not to use a superior GL-5 lubricant. Both the API and SAE agree on that point.

 

Amsoil

$39 75w-90 GL-5 Limited Slip, Ultra Long Drain 500k Miles, Manual Transmission, Gear/Differential Lubricant (1 Gallon)

75w-90, Ravenol 75w. F, R, and Transfer case changed every 30k. There was a lot of metal fragments on the front and rear differential at the initial 30k change. Transfer case did look good, but it's an easy swap so I'll do it along with the diffs.

 

Lucas 75-90 in all diffs and t case. So far all good. Same with my 4runner, Durango, and k5.

 

Preface with not being an expert, but the manual calls for 75w, not

$39 75w-90 GL-5 Limited Slip, Ultra Long Drain 500k Miles, Manual Transmission, Gear/Differential Lubricant (1 Gallon)

75w-90. IMO, too thick for t-case. The 75w resembles a light in color motor oil.

 

Cool. Experience says it’s fine so I posted it.

 

Here is a very good article comparing GL4 and GL5.

https://rxmechanic.com/gl4-vs-gl5/

It looks like a GL5 can be used in a GL4 application in most cases but does suggest using what the manufacture calls for. The only thing I've read is that if you use a GL5 gear oil where copper syncos are used that it will cause hard shifting in a manual transmission which makes sense because it has added wear protection to reduce friction.

 

Here is the technology behind the fuel efficient MTF LV. The LF T-case fluid is based upon this, probably with a slightly different add pack. The oil analysis is posted at the bottom, it’s Russian, but not difficult to figure out… nothing magical, group III w/ modern additives that prevent metal to metal when the oil film can no longer keep things separate.

 

a little humor to this epic:

and if you spill some Ravenol 75w on something...apparently it will smell like Ravenol for 106 years.

that stuff is rank.

 

Care Care Nut claimed that Toyota manual transmissions and transfer cases don't like GL-5 oils. He recommended staying with GL-4 oils for both.

 

That's what I'm using because that's the spec Toyota calls for. Why take a chance on having to repair a transfer case.

 

Amsoil 5W30 MTF supposedly good in place of 75W.
I already asked.... different oil types graded on different viscosity scales so that 5w30 manual trans fluid is comparable to 75w gear oil.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/amsoil-products-atf-mtf-gear-oils.639632/