What Rear Differential and Manual Transmission Oil Do I Need?

2005 PreRunner 4 cylinder manual transmission. What weight? Can I go with a full synthetic or stay with the regular stuff?

 

GL-4 or GL-5? I am wandering if my 2005 manual tranny has brass synchros...

 

According to pg 384 of the Owner's Manual, available for download from the Toyota Owner's site, your transmission calls for "SAE 75W−90... Gear Oil API GL−4 or GL−5." Page 385 specifies the same "SAE 75W−90... Gear Oil API GL−4 or GL−5" for your transfer case and ""SAE 75W−90... Gear Oil API GL−5" for your rear differential.

Synthetic or conventional is your choice. Synthetic provides longer drain intervals. FWIW, many believe it also improves shifting & provides better protection for internal components.

 

Awesome. Thanks I didn't even know that existed

 

I am kinda confused on my rear diff...do I have a limited slip or not?

Oil type: Without limited−slip differential Hypoid gear oil API GL−5 With limited−slip differential Hypoid gear oil for limited−slip differential API GL−5

 

Redline brand is smoothest shifting.

 

But do I need WITH limited slip or WITHOUT for my PreRunner Manual Trans rear differential?

 

You have no limited slip. 75W90 will work for both, but you may get better shift feel with Redline MT-90 in the trans, and less chatter with 75W140 in the diff.

 

Ok cool thanks. Where can I get the Redline stuff? And just out of curiosity what determines whether I have limited slip or not?

 

Only '05-'08 TRD Sport trim have a mechanical limited-slip rear diff (where oil type matters). All other ones from 1995.5-2017 are open. (Limited-slip function became simulated electronically thru brakes in all Toyota models starting in 2009.)

An open rear diff (like yours) can use oil intended for limited-slip with no harm.

As for Redline, call up your local speed shop or check: https://www.redlineoil.com/dealers.aspx

 

Is there another brand you would recommend that I could get at O'Reilys or AutoZone that is just as good?

 

Lucas

 

never changed diff fluid in 30 years on anything I have owned, never had one break or go bad either

 

full synthetic is OK to use as well?

 

Depends who your asking.

 

I just want to know so I put the right stuff in my truck, the manual doesn't specify.

 

The manual says you can run gl5 in the trans, but stick with a gl4. Redline mt90 is really good. The first time I did my fluids I put mobil1 75/90 in everything. After the shifting started feeling notchy I did some searching here. Found out about the mt90 and how gl5 might not be good for our trans.

I switched out the trans and tcase fluid for the mt90 and it has been good since. I started running lucas 75/90 in the diffs a while ago.

I'm changing the fluids again next week and going with 75/140 in the diffs because the mileage is getting high and I don't why else. Redline mt90 still for trans and tcase. All synthetic.

I get them off Amazon and buy a one gallon jug and two quarts of mt90, and a one gallon jug and one quart lucas. More than I need but I use it to flush my pumpers and flush a little through everything. I also got two bucket pumpers that sit on five gallon buckets to pump the fluids. Makes it real easy. I usually hit my change intervals every six months.

Eta: been running full synthetics since 25k. At 168k now. No issues with synthetics and I use my truck pretty hard.

 

That's like saying raw dogging hookers is a good idea because you've never caught anything yet.

You're supposed to change it just like any other fluid at given intervals. Miss a few here or there and I am sure you're fine but blatantly giving bad advise to someone asking is just dumb.

 

This is awesome info! What intervals due you change fluids at?

 

I'm just gonna throw this out there. I had my 3rd gen 4R axle bearing done and 4th gen 4R rear diff rebuilt due to pinion teeth breaking. I took it to San Diego Gear and Axle, very experienced shop, and they recommend lucas 85w140 or something similar non synthetic. East coast gear and supply recommends the same thing lucas 85w140 or something similar non synthetic. Rear diff calls per Toyota 80w90 so I put lucas 80w90 which SDG&A saying that's ok too. Thoughts?