Is there a better transfer case oil than OEM?

Lots of options that are close. But none match up with the oem on the transfer oil. Frustrating.

 

Have read that only Toyota has the required specs for transfer case oil. Anything else may be a warranty exception. Yes, sucks.

 

Oops. I was wrong before. Look at that! Royal purple now appears to meet the Toyota standard for the LF gear oil.

Oh well. Changed mine now so all set for now. Next time maybe I’ll try the royal purple.


http://www.royalpurpleconsumer.com/...le_Transmission_Lubricant_Cross_Reference.pdf

 

Toyota 75W, Royal Purple Syncromax and Ravenol are the only three specd for the Tcase.

Sorry OP for derailing the thread

 

http://www.ravenol.de/en/products/usage/d/Product/show/p/ravenol-mtf-3-sae-75w.html

Someone above was also right about the Toyota part number being listed on the ravenol site. Nice. Glad there are some equivalents so next time i won’t have to pay $81 including shipping.

 

Honestly... isn’t changing out the fluids overkill at 30k?

Just hit 31k, looked through the manual, and says to change out fluid if doing a lot of 4WD, towing, dusty roads.... I mean most of my mileage is highway, with about 1000 miles using 4x4 or so

 

I’d agree on the transfer case that 30k is overkill if only highway miles. It’s just freewheeling inside. I use 4wd just about every day where I live. Diff definitely needs to be changed at 30k. My oil in rear diff was black and shiny. Magnet was loaded. After first change then I think it can go longer.

 

For most owners it is.

I’ve always changed all diffs, Tcase, Manual Trans with correct weight and class Synthetic gear fluid at 60K miles.

There’s plenty of owners of many brand trucks that put in synthetic gear fluid and never change it again for 200k-300k miles.

 

^^^^ this is my exact experience. My local dealer does not stock LF fluid and I was told all 4WD vehicles serviced at the dealer get the transfer case filled with the same synthetic gear oil used in both diffs. “We pump it outta the drum” I was told. They recommended I do the same, so what gives? In short, if you take you Tacoma to a Toyota dealer to have the t-case fluid replaced they are not likely to use LF oil in there.

Maybe this whole LF oil fiasco is simply because it is super cheap dino oil and Borg Warner is buying it by the train-car load at their factory?

 

Get the right viscosity that's on sale. The other bs is marketing.

 

I put in the Toyota LF mainly because I have an extended Toyota warranty. I did not want to be accused of using the wrong oil and having a warranty claim denied. It was $81 for a liter. I bought 2 just in case I spilled. The capacity is 1 liter and a liter will just about fill it. When I drained it I saved and filtered the old oil. It was nearly clean anyway. Then I used a just a little bit of the old fluid to finish the change. It only took a couple oz over the liter. Then I returned the liter I didn’t use.

I have seen now finally there are a couple other companies making a Toyota LF equivalent. So next time I’ll probably go with one of those. But that won’t be for a while.

 

I don't think so. Transmission generally need less slippery oil for Synchros to work properly.

 

I’ve made the mistake of supplementing lighter and more slippery oils in manual transmissions thinking the same years ago. Whoever answered above here is right. Have to use what manufacturer calls for. Oil slows the gears and synchros down when clutch is released. I put in different oil and found lots of grinding sounds. Changed it back quick. I alsowy find it’s best not to mess with what the manufacturer says. Toyota engineers now their stuff and I kind of follow what they say. Never had a Tacoma I got less than 300,000 miles out of following the manufactures maintenance recommendations.

 

FYI ... just got off the phone with royalpurple. They recommend that you do not use synchromax as a replacement for the toyota transfer case oil if you are still under warranty. As stated, if you have a problem and toyota drains out a purple oil from the tcase, they are probably going to blame the oil for the issue and not fix under warranty.

Of course, royalpurple says their oil is much better but it will be the scapegoat if a warranty issue comes up.

 

Has anyone used 75W90 Lucas oil full synthetic?

 

I used this stuff in my diffs and MT transmission about 30k/km ago. No issues, didnt find any difference in shifting either.

 

For what its worth. I just called two separate dealerships inquiring about the TXFR case 75w LF oil. Neither of them stock it at the parts desk so I contacted the service depts and they informed me they use std 75-90W gear oil. The parts desk does stock that...

 

This does, and it’s what I use. Look closely at the label.

Ravenol J1C1003 SAE 75W Manual Transmission Fluid - MTF-3 Full Synthetic (1 Liter)

$27 RAVENOL J1C1003 MTF-3 SAE 75W Full Synthetic Gear Oil - 1 Liter for Manual Transmissions, Differentials & Transfer Cases

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QPCL7ZE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Z3yCDbRPX1X68

Edit: ok I see a bunch of others mentioned it already

 

I’ve called multiple dealerships and none stock or use the LF75w, they offered to order it for me to diy but, if they performed service depending on which location I was told I get 75w90 to 75w140 in transfer case. Now, Ravenol recommends their 75w as a alternative for these Toyota fluids 08885-81001 LV75w and 08885-81081 LF75w (Europe part # but the same as

$98 08885-81080 Toyota Genuine Transfer Case Gear Oil LF 75W 1 Litre 08885-81080

08885-81080 U.S. part #). Red Line recommends their 70/75 as a alternative for Toyota LV75w part # 08885-81001 also, so if you cross reference part #’s Red Line 70/75 should be a good alternative for the LF75w too.....right?

 

I'm about to do my t-case with the Ravenol 75w MTF-3 variant (and Red Line 75w90 for F&R diff) and it lists it meets TOYOTA 08885-81001, TOYOTA 08885-81081