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WHEN TO CHANGE MANUAL TRANSMISSION FLUID

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by swoagman, Mar 25, 2012.

  1. Mar 25, 2012 at 2:31 PM
    #1
    swoagman

    swoagman [OP] Member

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    I HAVE A 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA SHOULD I USE GL-4 OR GL-5 GEAR OIL FOR THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION FLUID AND HOW OFTEN SHOULD IT BE CHANGED
    THANK YOU
     
  2. Mar 25, 2012 at 4:46 PM
    #2
    n0ms

    n0ms Well-Known Member

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    Get which ever you want, they both will work.
    Think the manual says change every 30k ,do yourself a favor and change your front/rear diff and transfercase all at once that way you know when you did each last.
     
  3. Mar 25, 2012 at 4:48 PM
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    jets

    jets Active Member

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    All the researching I have done has led me to believe gl4 is the way to go. Most people on here suggest the redline mt90 oil for the manual transmissions.
     
  4. Mar 25, 2012 at 5:03 PM
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    Supra TT

    Supra TT Supercharged Lifter

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  5. Mar 25, 2012 at 5:22 PM
    #5
    TacomaJPP

    TacomaJPP To secure peace, is to prepare for war

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  6. Mar 25, 2012 at 6:09 PM
    #6
    CUtacomaTIGER

    CUtacomaTIGER Unprofessional Driver

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    manual say to check (not change) every 30k. if you put a quality synthetic in and just daily drive it, you could go 60k if you wanted.
     
  7. Mar 25, 2012 at 7:38 PM
    #7
    Robertgeejr1

    Robertgeejr1 Well-Known Member

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    I have done all the hi-pro mods for a life time, since I got this truck at a great price, I will be happy with showroom new.
    well, if you have just gotten the truck, and you have the ability, I believe its best to try to change all the fluids as you can, and keep a record of it so you will know.
    the advantage of using redline or any good synthetic is that is more durable, it will make a difference shifting, esp. when its cold. Amsoil is great, I have used it with others in the past, and you can go to their web site, put your trucks info in and make a cheat sheet for all the lubrication's the truck takes.
    I have spent the day doing the clutch master cylinder, and the slave rebuild, and flushing them out, thanks again everyone here with the write-up because judging from what came out its the first time its been changed.
     
  8. Mar 26, 2012 at 7:12 AM
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    swoagman

    swoagman [OP] Member

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    Thank you all for your input, it really helped....SWOAGMAN
     
  9. Mar 26, 2012 at 9:17 AM
    #9
    TacoMX

    TacoMX TW's Official anti body-lift pundit

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    I use amsoil severe gear and will change every 60k.

    I am coming up on 60k and I am going to try redline mt90 this time. The amsoil made the shifting a bit notchy.
     
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  10. Mar 26, 2012 at 9:46 AM
    #10
    pittim

    pittim mittip backwards

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  11. Dec 12, 2013 at 5:13 AM
    #11
    flatblack

    flatblack Well-Known Member

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    can someone tell me how many quarts for the transmission and how many for the transfer?
    please feel free to flame me, providing you also supply the answer;
    i knew at one point; but, i'm having trouble finding it now... getting impatient
     
    Last edited: Dec 12, 2013
  12. Dec 12, 2013 at 5:33 AM
    #12
    flatblack

    flatblack Well-Known Member

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    why, sure, i'll help you out, moron!

    Transmission = 2.35 quarts
    Transfer Case = 1.1 quarts

    put Redline MT-90 in both and make sure you torque the drain and fills to 27lbs

    NEWB!!
     
    Last edited: Dec 12, 2013
  13. Dec 12, 2013 at 5:39 AM
    #13
    fast5speed

    fast5speed Well-Known Member

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    Gl-5 gear oil eats brass synchros, so keep it out of your trans. Very hard to find non-GL5 fluid locally. You have to buy redine mt90 or go to your Toyota dealer and strictly buy Manual trans fluid.

    I got a case of 5 quarts of redline off Amazon, cost me like $60 though. Gl-5 is very good for your differentials though, and it's safe to put in the t-case, as there are no synchros.
     
  14. Dec 12, 2013 at 6:19 AM
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    JLee50

    JLee50 Well-Known Member

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    I ran Redline Shockproof Lightweight in my MR2 trans (E153) and it was great. I switched to Amsoil recently only because I sell it so I wanted to try it out. It doesn't seem to be too much different, but Shockproof tends to coat everything and stick for a while so it may take a bit for any change to be noticed. I wouldn't hesitate to go back to Shockproof. A lot of MR2 guys run MT90 as well.

    So, if for some reason you can't find MT90, I'd try Amsoil or maybe Shockproof. I should change the diffs/trans fluid in my truck, too..
     
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  15. Dec 12, 2013 at 6:08 PM
    #15
    Tmiller3063

    Tmiller3063 Active Member

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    Stick with oem fluid.
     
  16. Dec 12, 2013 at 8:38 PM
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    Norton

    Norton Senior Member

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    Owner's Manuals and Warranty & Maintenance Guides are available for download from the Toyota Owners' Web Site.

    I recommend opening the FILL plug on each component BEFORE you remove the drain plugs. That way, you KNOW you'll be able to re-fill what you drain...

    You should also get the correct replacement crush washers for the job. They're NOT all the same.

    +1 for Amsoil. I'm very happy with their Severe Gear 75W-90.
     
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  17. Dec 12, 2013 at 9:06 PM
    #17
    DJB1

    DJB1 Well-Known Member

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    You should use GL-4 because it is safe for the synchros. Modern GL-5 is "supposed" to be safe for synchros, yet it still has a higher concentration of the extreme pressure additives that are bad for synchros. Amsoil makes a GL-4 manual transmission fluid. Redline MT90 is also a GL-4 oil. I don't know what the maintenance schedule is, but I do it every 50,000 miles. Easy to remember that way.

    Napa Auto stocks Amsoil GL-4 manual transmission fluid where I live.
     
  18. Dec 12, 2013 at 9:53 PM
    #18
    JLee50

    JLee50 Well-Known Member

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    If anyone can't find it locally, let me know and I can probably get it to you at retail without any shipping charges.
     
  19. Dec 13, 2013 at 7:03 AM
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    se7enine

    se7enine MCMLXXIX

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    You can always fill through the shifters if you have a manual. Not sure about an auto though.
     
  20. Dec 13, 2013 at 9:45 AM
    #20
    JLee50

    JLee50 Well-Known Member

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    Trans, front diff, and rear diff? ;)
     
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