Differential Front & Rear Fluid

Okay, I need to stop with the YouTube videos.

I recently changed my oil at 1,500 miles next change at 5K and then every 5K after. In the video on youtube the guy had changed is differential fluids at 3000 Kilometers. That seems very early but he stated it was loaded with metal fragments. He was now at 50000 Kilometers and was changing the differentials and transfer and indicated that while there was some metal it was much less at 50K than at 1.5K. So I am thinking of changing my own front & rear differential oil at 5K miles. Not sure if I should do the transfer case. But I think 5K miles is plenty soon.

My question is should I go back with Toyota 75w-85 to maintain my warranty or can I go back with something like Redline 75w-85? I am not sure the Toyota 75w-85 is full synthetic - it is sure not stated on the can. I know the Redline is. I know from past use that Mopar also make a full synthetic 75w-85. I am a believe in synthetic oil and that would be my preference.

As long as it is a GL-5 75w-85 will it jeopardize my warranty if I use something other than the Toyota 75w-85 or as long as it is a GL-5 75w-85 am I "covered"? I also assume I will need the limited slip additive no matter what 75w-85 I use.

Should I also do the transfer case? I will use the Toyota fluid here.

 

I use/d Redline 75W-85 in the diffs. I don't give a rip about warranty. Even though, it's equivalent fluid and they'll never know the difference anyway. I actually have Lucas 85W-140 in the front diff now.

Toyota fluid in the transfer case is fine, but I use Redline MT-LV. It's equivalent.

No limited slip additive needed as there's no mechanical limited slip in any 3rd gen.

Search and you will find novels to read on all this. You gotta make your own decisions, nobody agrees, it's stupid.

 

I'm way overdue for my differential and transfer case fluid changes and have also been confused by what's out there. I am thinking Amsoil

$29 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

75W-90 for the diffs and the Redline MT-LV for the TC.

 

You can use any 75w-85 GL-5 for the diffs and it won't affect your warranty unless you buy a defective or product.

The T/C gear oil is more questionable because it doesn't seem to be well known if there is an equivalent to the Toyota oil. I would trust Redline MT-LV since they recommend it as a replacement, but it's possible that a warranty issue could be denied if they somehow could trace it back to the lubricant.

I used Redline 75w-85 in my last Tacoma's diffs at 15Kmi.
I'm going to wait until 30K in my current truck.
Probably will do the T/C with MT-LV at 60K.

Toyota Spec:
Diffs: Toyota Genuine Differential Gear Oil LT 75W-85 GL-5, or equivalent
T/C: Toyota Genuine Transfer gear oil LF 75W, or equivalent

 

Just had transmission, and both differentials done today at 80,000 . I asked the service advisor what the recommendation was for them and he said normal use every 100,000 miles.

 

So long as specifications are met, use what ever you want as far as oil goes. Also, keep in mind that dealerships are using standard 75/90w in the TC and not the special LF oil. Jury is still out on that. Personally, I used Ravenol 75w (which meets the LF specs) for my TC, but there are a number of choices out there. I used Amsoil 75/90 SG in the diffs, Redline MT-90 in my MT as well. Again, does not matter so long as you meet the specs.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/30-000-miles-service-cost-996-00.624213/page-6#post-28486240

Was just chatting on a thread revival about the diff service. Long story short just keep oil in them

 

That service advisor isn’t doing you or his dealership any favors working there because he should be advising to service those diffs and t-case 3 times in that mileage (service manual says 30K normal interval or 15K severe).

 

Use whatever you want as long as it meets the GL5 spec. I run 85W-140 conventional/mineral. Runs like a dream. The diffs don’t care.

 

3rd Gen manual does not call for gear oil replacement under normal driving.

 

That's why I got it done, bought the truck used and never seen anything done to it but 3rd brake light recall and rotors resurfaced and new tires. I originally went in to just have the transmission flushed then decided to get all 3 done to be on the safe side.

 

Glad any GL-5 will work okay. I have 2 quarts of GL-5 Mopar 75w-85 full synthetic Gear Oil sitting on the shelf so that should do the front diff. Maybe I will get 4 quarts of redline for the rear. I am going to drain mine at 5K miles - because of that dang you tube video showing those shavings.

I must stop watching Tacoma YouTube videos - they have cost me some $; led interior lighting, raised Tacoma on tailgate, raised Tacoma on glovebox (does look great though), upgraded skid plate, bed braces...

I'm surprised my wife has not blocked youtube! LOL

 

Ignore that video as you have no idea if he does heavy off-roading or not and it could also be to increase sales of the fluid he was using. Many videos are made by what seems like the everyday guy and actually are done to increase sales of a product used. Only reason I would change diffs early is to make sure I have 100% synthetic fluid in them because I live in a cold climate or if I did a lot of wheeling. Otherwise follow the 30k/15k recommendation.

 

I can tell you Amsoil 75w90 severe gear oil is as good as it gets. I used it for years in my toyota differentials. My last truck had nearly 300k miles and is still running today with zero differential issues. You probably don't need to change it every 30k miles like I did, as its still appeared fairly clean.

 

I changed mine at 5k like you are considering. There was a lot of sludge on the magnetic front plug, not much of anything on my transfer case and just a small amount in the rear. I’m very glad I did it. It is easy and cheap so why not do the transfer case while you are there. I used Amsoil severe gear and not concerned one bit about warranty. Think about it this way. Your differentials aren’t going to give out and your differentials won’t even be a consideration if your warranty claim is for another component. Additionally, do you really hey analyze the fluid to determine “what “ is in there? If they were to test the fluid they would find the fluid is good.

 

Amsoil here. Only diff oil I’d use.

 

I drained/filled both Diffs at 3000 miles.
I used this (you will need 6 qts):

$29 Mobil 1 104361 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F31DQQJ

3-1/2 qts came out of my rear diff, and it took 4-1/4 to fill it - glad I did it. Also, there was a significant blob of gray sludge on the magnet.

1-3/4 qts came out of my front diff, and it took 1-3/4 to fill it, and the magnet had only a small amount of gray sludge on it; but I still felt better after doing it.

I also drained/filled the Transfer Case with 1L of the Toyota (Liquid Gold) Oil. It didn't need it, but I just don't trust Toyota anymore; and now I know it is done right.

Edited to Add:
Make sure that you can get the Fill Plugs loose before you drain anything out !

 

Amsoil severe gear.

 

i met the criteria so i changed my front and rear diff at about 15K miles. the front was clean and golden. the rear started to get dark and there were some minor shavings on the magnet. nothing that i would consider unusual.

i had no issue getting the fill or drain plugs off. they were quite easy actually.

i used amsoil SG gl-5 for no other reason than the squeeze bags and the price was not bad.

fwiw, i have the diff whine and the amsoil did nothing to change the noise.

as soon as the weather improves, i plan to do the t-case and use the toyota brand oil that i purchased for $65/quart, and the transmission (manual) that i plan to use amsoil gl-4 that i have also already purchased.

unless you do a lot of towing, i think 30K miles is a good change interval for the diffs. it's easy DIY and not too expensive.

 

I'm thinking Amsoil severe gear, but I'm concerned about it being 75-90 not 75-85 does it make a difference? I'm in COLD weather-30F. in winter. I also tow a lot.