Differential and transfer fluid...

I just bought a 2013 Tacoma Sport double cab v6 with 102k miles. I was wondering what people use for fluids for the differentials and transfer case.

 

That's a question destined to net you 1000+ answers.

Personally, I like Mobil1

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

75w-90. It's universally accepted as one of the best you can buy and is plentiful at a low price point.

 

Yup thats what are in both my front / rear diff and tcase, zero issues


3quarts needed for rear axle, 1.4 for Tcase and 1.6 for front diff... 6 total if you have a 4x4.

 

I will have extra butter on mine please!

 

I just did all three with Mobil 1 and I was just shy over 6 quarts. Make sure you get the hand pump that fits the quart bottles so you don’t have to drive back to the store twice

 

I used Lucas oil. Jegs had good prices. Quart bottles had a stinger so it was easy to fill. Used a small clear hose to do the front.

 

Mobil 1 for me

 

I used Mobil 1 synthetic

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

75w-90 but will prolly just use WalMart super tech 75w-90 next time. There is a school of thought that dinosaur oil is better in diffs

 

Until it trickled

 

Mobil 1

 

Mobil One 75w90.... Just freshened up all my fluids with it and it's been perfectly fine......

 

For the rear diff, I used the expensive stuff: Toyota Genuine Fluid

$47 08885-02506 Differential Gear Oil LT - 1 Liter Bottle

08885-02506 Differential Gear Oil LT

This is a little cheaper:

$269 Red Line 50104 , 75W85 GL-5, Full Synthetic Gear Oil - 1 Quart (12 Pack)

Red Line 50104 75W85 GL-5 Gear Oil

And, one of these:

$12 Plews 55001 Lubrimatic, 4cc Fluid Quart Pump (set of 2)

Plews 55001 Lubrimatic Fluid Quart Pump

 

I'd suggest you search the subject

 

I just did mine last month and my rear diff took 3.6 quarts. I don't know why honestly but it didn't come out of the fill plug until I hit 3.6.

 

super tech 75w90 in transfer case and front diff., Redline 75w85 gl5 in rear diff.

 

I just put the Walmart 80w-90 stuff in and don’t have any issues.

I can’t speak for the other diffs, but the dino-oil is best for the few of us with mechanical LSDs (05-08 TRD Sport packages). The clutch packs can be pretty finicky (a lot of “chatter”) with synthetics from what people have reported.

 

From the 2015 Tacoma Owners Manual - likely the same for all 2nd Gens - 2005 - 2015:

Rear Differential

2WD models except PreRunner
3.66 qt. (3.46 L, 3.04 Imp.qt.)

4WD models and PreRunner
3.12 qt. (2.95 L, 2.60 Imp.qt.)

 

While you’re changing the rear diff fluid it’s a good time to lower, remove and inspect your spare tire. Also, it makes filling the rear diff fluid a lot easier...

 

ive read a few places where there was a service bulletin sent out in 2009 to switch over to a 75w85 gl5 for the front and rear differentials where everyone was assuming it was for trying to gain a little more MPGs and stay within new CAFE standards for gas mileage, but I never heard if switching to the ultra thin 75w85 was for any mechanical reasons, most people are running the 75w90 gl5 in these years 09-15 without any failures due to running a non Toyota spec'd gear oil as far as ive seen. the thickness difference visually between the 75w85 and the 75w90 is dramatic from when I did my 30k maintainence, the consistency of the 75w85 Redline was like liquid form H2O, whereas the 75w90 I used in the front diff/transfer case was like pouring a syrup or honey.

 

What does that reduced viscosity translate to in increased wear?