Transmission fluid change question

1998 2wd 4cyl 5 speed with 120k miles.

I notice that it can sometimes be a little difficult to shift into some if the gears when moving. Usually at a stop I can push in through all the gears fine and it's nice and smooth, but when moving and I'm downshifting I notice a litte resistance and slight crunch. I think it may be time to change the tranny fluid. What fluid do you guys recommend? And does this sound like a common symptom if dirty tranny fluid? Thanks

****also how do I change the tranny fluid and gear fluid? they are different things right?!?!
im trying to find a write up but ive been unlucky****

 

Will be gear oil, not tranny fluid. Viscosity im not sure of but im sure someone will be along with a bit better info.

 

just throw some redline mt90 in it. pricey but it'll last ya to 200k normal driving

 

Mt90 is gear fluid or tranny fluid??

 

Yes and yes... Around $15 a qt. Takes about 3 qts.

http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=46

Works really slick (no pun intended)

 

I had an issue similar to yours in my 92 Ranger 5sp. My problem was shifting into first. It was caused by a slight clutch drag and overcome by very forcefully mashing the clutch pedal into the carpet. Check your owners manual or with a shop for fluid requirements. The Ranger had a Mazda Gear box that used ATF, Mercon if I remember correctly. It was so easy to change I did it often but the only thing that made the shift into first easier was mashing the pedal.

 

i know this is going to souind silly... how do i change the gear and tranny fluid? i looked for a write-up but i was without luck in finding one.

 

When you down shift, you should double clutch.

Shift into nuetral and rev match your down shift (a bit higher due to shift delay), before your engine has time to slow down, quickly depress the clutch and down shift.

When you rev match your engine to down shift, your transmission is still spinnig too slow causing wear and clunky gear shifting. Shifting into neutral and releasing the clutch means both engine and trans are rev matched allowing smoother shifting and less wear on your transmisison.

 

Yes. This does sound silly.

Crawl under the truck and look at the transmission. You will find (2) plugs. The upper one is on the driver's side. The lower one is on the passenger side. Upper is for filling. Lower is draining. Make sure you can get the upper one out first because if you can't, you can't re-fill it once it drains. Sometimes they are stuck.

I used a 15/16" (24mm) end wrench.

I use Valvoline

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

75w-90 Gear Oil. That stuff is messy since you have to use a pump to get it in there.

 

If you mean differential oil here is a step by step, directions from above for your manual tranny. When oil runs out the fill its full for all.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/24545-changing-differential-fluid-step-step-how.html

 

okay this may be an issue of semantics but does gear fluid=differential fluid?

and just to be doubly sure, its this ^^^ that needs to be addressed more so than the transmission fluid? or should i just do both.

im sorry that im super ignorant, but i appreciate your help and patience.

 

I am going to post a link. Read it! Your tranny is a manual, it doesnt use ATF type transmission fluid. It uses GL-4 gear oil in the 90wt flavor. The same as the rear end and if 4x4 the front end and transfer case. You just want to make sure it is Gl-4 rated because its safe for brass syncros in the transmission. GL-5 is not. Any GL-4 rated 90wt gear oil will work. I would use synthetic. The above Redline MT90 will ork in transmission great but will not work in the rear end if your gonna do it also.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/211635-when-change-manual-transmission-fluid.html

 

Okay got it. It apparently was an issue of semantics. Transmission fluid is being referred to as gear oil lol. So I'm gonna use redline in the tranny... How many quarts?

 

Find the two plugs on side as stated above in post #9. Break the fill plug loose first, then the drain. A good 6 point 24mm and a breaker bar or long handled ratchet should work. Best thing to do is go to Wal-Mart on the marine isle and get a lower unit gear lube pump. Onec drained reinstall drain plug and begin pumping the new fluid in the top hole. Onec the fluid starts to run over the edge its full. I believe he someone stated about 3qts. Good luck

 

I have a 95.5, 2.7, manual trans. I am also going to replace all fluids. I am a little confused on the GL5 not being safe for the syncros in the trans. I think my owners manual said that GL4 or GL5 was recommended?

 

From what i could find additives in GL-5 can eat brass syncro's, but if your manual says its recommended then i guess its ok. Could be they didnt know this info then as they do now.


EDIT: upon a little research it seems as the the Gl-5 thing os a myth from many years ago that has since been busted. Seems to be totaly safe.

 

Ok, thanks!

 

the process for changing the gear box oil and the differential oil is essentially the same, right?

what oil do you reccomend for the differential?

 

Any 75/90 gear oil. Depends whether or not its limited slip if you have to add LSD additive.

 

gl-4 or gl-5 for the differential?

also mine is a 1998 4-cyl 2wd 5 speed do you know if it has Limited slip?