Transfer case fluid

You can’t go wrong with Amsoil. Ran Severe Gear 75w90 in my FJ for a decade and will continue using in my Tacoma. I’ve always used 50k change interval in the rear and transfer case and 100k change interval in front differential. Typically replace the crush gaskets on the differential plugs and reuse the brass ones on tcase plugs (keep spares on hand just in case).

FWIW - I changed the rear differential gear oil in my Tacoma at 3k miles. Oil was still fresh but contained a LOT of metal shavings and the magnet on the drain plug was full. Hard to say how much difference it will make in the long run, but worth the low cost IMO.

 

I put it in the rear. Works fine. Haven't drained it since so I have no idea what it looks like. I used extra heavy oil in the front because if the ECGS bushing swap for the needle bearings. Thicker apparently runs better on their bushings.

Doing the transfer case tomorrow.

 

I called six different Toyota dealers at the service dept and the parts desk looking for the 75W LF. Not one stocked it, and 4 of them said they use the 80W90 in front, rear, and t-case.

 

So weird they don't follow Toyotas own documentation. I use the ravenol 75w85 on my wife's and my front and rear diffs.

 

if your not using or engaging the 4wd on any regular basis I would go 60k miles, I do just my rear differential every 30k miles and leave the others to 60k miles since im not doing a lot of offroading and limited winter use

 

Ravenol is a German made oil FYI

 

Yes, says it on the bottle.

 

My front was disgusting at 25k. I've used 4wd but nothing crazy.

 

yes that's the break in period crud when the gears are meshing and grinding it gets cleaner after that initial change, good idea to get that junk out tho , my initial change looked pretty bad at 49k miles when I bought the truck

 

Yea I get that, gears have to wear in to one another, I was just surprised at how bad the front was compared to the back. I extended the breather on rear diff up into the tail light while I was down there.

 

my rear had pieces of metal and crud from the break in I assume on the magnet, and I measured the amount that I drained it was under filled by .65-.70 of a quart based on what the manual said, mines a 2nd gen truck this was at 49k miles when I bought it from a Toyota dealer

 

My front diff old fluid looked like thick baby diarrhea at 4K miles (changed to new fluid when did the ECGS bushing). It’s probably all the moly they put in for the initial fill.

 

Yea both of mine did as well, i didnt measure the drained fluid though.

 

Just a FYI: I found these comparing the Toyota fluid to Ravenol. 1st is Toyota, 2nd Ravenol. There’s a big difference in makeup of fluids. Personally I’ve called 5 dealerships and not a single one said they use the Toyota fluid. 3 use 75w85 and 2 use 75w90 synthetic gear oil.

 

One of the many reasons that I don’t go to the dealer for service. I wonder if they’re using 75W90 diff fluid in the MT when they run out of trans fluid?

 

Thanks for all the info. I'm new here. I'm looking at changing the transfer, front and rear diff. Am I reading this right? I can use this for all three changes and be safe?:

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

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QPCL7ZE/ref=crt_ewc_img_huc_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3NWHGHN360KCD

 

Not joking. My dealer had it in stock, but it took a while for them to find it. It was “on the Lexus shelf” in their stores room.

I’m sticking with LF fluid after bad experiences in cold weather with synthetic 75/90 (as was initially recommended to me by my dealer as what they use).

The cost of the litre of LF oil is insignificant for what it’s doing for you.

 

The fluids aren’t really comparable. The LF fluid has multiple times the anti wear additives (Magnesium / Zinc / Phosphorus) as the Ravenol. I can see why it costs more. Literally 40X the Magnesium and Zinc. I’m surprised Ravenol can even list their oil as an equivalent to Toyota LF.

 

This is exactly why I went with the Toyota Liquid gold fluid. The dealership who's parts department I use sold me it for 50/can.

 

That’s actually a good price. “Made in Japan” as well, for those that care.