Gear Oil Question

First a little background. I recently bought a 2014 Tacoma Extended Cab, TRD OR LB with the 4L V6 and 47000 km. Haven't done anything with it other than add a set of Husky precision mats, an Extang Trifecta tonneau and four Hancock winter tires on 17" rims from my old 4Runner (still have the white stuff on the ground) . I want to change out all the fluids, not knowing how the last owner took care of things. I've switched the engine oil to Valoline synthetic. Last weekend I bought 5 quarts of Royal Purple

$30 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

75W-90 synthetic GL5 for the front and rear differentials. The label on the oil says, "ideal for axles containing open, limited slip, locker and spool differentials. I would think that the off road 4x4 would have locker diffs. However, I've read some threads that suggest that differentials with LS use a different gear oil than locker diffs and some members use additives for LSD's. A mechanic at the local dealer told me that the TDR OR had LSD. I'm now a little confused on this whole topic. Any comments on whether the Royal Purple is a good fit for my differentials, I was also planning to use it for the transfer case. Thanks

 

You don't need the lsd additives. The lsd that needs additives are clutch type lsds. Some tacomas had these in the sports and xrunner I think. But the OR should have the e locker and the auto lsd, which is just a brakeing computer program. No mechanical lsd.

 

Thanks for this info, a couple follow up questions, what does the e on e locker stand for? Most brands of gear oil I looked at were identified as being LS compatible, any of these would be ok for my truck if they were GL5 rated, including the Royal Purple? Am I correct to use the same gear oil in the transfer case?

 

Do cars still come with a paper owners manual? It should specify all the fluid amounts and types for all gear boxes. Personally, I wouldn't use anything but what the factory recommends. Toyota engineers know a lot more than I do.

 

E locker means electronic locking diff. Royal purple shoild be fine. The only issues with gl5 and gl4 is for the manual trans. The soft metal syncros dont like the gl5 as much as gl4.

 

I take your point Rick but I think I got off track reading a number of threads that appeared to have conflicting info regarding different oil for LSD's vs locker diffs and even the parts and service folk at the local dealers seemed uncertain. I just want a proper, non Toyota oil for my diff's. It looks like my 4x4 has locker and LS diffs.

 

Thanks Artruck, I'll put the royal purple in this weekend if the weather is above freezing!

 

There is a write up is you search on the site too.

 

yes, i've seen the step x step posts , they will be very helpful

 

Or did you mean a discussion on gear oil types?

 

The how too threads.... to remind of ye little things like getting fill plugs out before drain plugs and what not.
I always look them over to refresh.

 

Changed the front and rear diff oil today with some help from the how to posts. It was fairly straight forward with a little trouble getting the front drain plug out. The rear oil was dark but both drain plugs were quite clean and no metal bits. Jacking up one side helped drain all the old oil at both front and rear. Took the truck for a drive and it seemed much smoother, I'm pleased with the Royal Purple. Next will be to change oil in the transaxle.