Transfer case fluid

I just wanted to throw this out there in case anyone wanted some piece of mind on whether they absolutely had to use 75w vs 75w-90. From what I’ve been able to find online, tacomas older than 2015 use 75w-90 in the t-case, where as 2016 and up call for 75w. Source:https://www.blauparts.com/blog/what...acoma-transfer-case-fluid-specification-guide

I own a 07 double cab auto short bed. I’ve owned it since 09 and I’ve neglected gear oil changes while being religious about my oil changes. Sometime around 2013 my transmission gave out on me at roughly 130k miles. I’m confident this happened because of me towing well beyond anything the truck was rated for. I found a used transmission from a local junk yard and did the swap myself. This was the first time I also changed the gear fluids from the t-case and the rear diff. I didn’t change the front diff oil. Being young, dumb, and poor I used the absolute cheapest synthetic 75w-90 I could find which happened to be the bottom shelf O’reillys MasterPro brand. My truck has 284k miles now and until this past weekend was still running on the original oil in the front diff and is still running on the MasterPro 75w-90 in the t-case and rear diff from when I last changed it at 130k(ish) miles. It’s only because I had to swap out a cv axle and lost a bit fluid from the front diff that I decided to change the oil. I’ll going with full synthetic valvoline 75w-90 from Walmart this go around. My truck mostly just sits parked now that I work from home, but the miles it has have mostly been with a boat hooked to the hitch making 9 hour round trips from Austin to the Tx Coast. The more abuse the truck takes, the more I love it. I am however trying to do better with the maintenance, hence me “researching” oils and thus this post. All that to say, you guys who are doing regular maintenance on your truck shouldn’t be overly concerned on whether you’re using Toyotas 75w or any brand of synthetic 75w-90, in my opinion.

 

I think a lot of people are putting a little to much thought into this. My dad has several F350 dump trucks he bought new in 96, one has 160k the other has 350k, they both have never had gear oil changed. Personally, I don’t see the need to change diff oils less than 100k increments unless they get submerged while off-road. Basic daily driving, I just don’t see it.

 

Bringing this back to life: getting ready to change my TC fluid at 60k, been seeing Ravenol used instead of Toyota 75w. Anyone here can speak to how the ravenol is holding up? Or should i just try to find the OE Toyota fluid

$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?smid=A3NWHGHN360KCD

 

Can't speak for Ravenol but I use Redline. Been using it my cars for years. No issues. My .02

 

Also used redline mt-lv ... no issues after 5k on 30k change.

All diffs and manual trans also changed with redline ... always have had great luck with product.

 

I used Ravenol a few months ago, no weird sounds or grinding noises. I'm 100% confident that *any* 75w oil is good enough, that includes Ravenol. Don't sweat it, just do it.

 

Just did my 60k service. I went with https://www.blauparts.com/toyota-tacoma-transfer-case-differential-fluid-change-kit.html

TBH as long as the fluids meet the specifications of your vehicle; its a preference in which one you go with.

 

Prepping to do a full fluid change on my 22 taco. I ordered 1 quart of the Toyota transfer case fluid. Specs show 1.1 quarts is the total capacity for the transfer case. My thought was I probably won’t get the full 1.1 quarts to drain. Can anyone speak on if just the 1 quart will do the job? Thanks!

 

When I used it, I bought the single quart and it was just enough. You might have to work to get the last bit out of whatever pump container you use to get it in the transfer case.

 

I'd drain the transfer case into a clean container to ensure you can pull a little of the old oil off the top if you need a little bit.

 

Dealer in VancouverBC Canada quotes $181 (which is 135USD) for 1 liter. It's been on back order all summer and they have no idea when they will get it. I'm going with the Redline MT LV .

 

Just changed everything last week. Redline all around (except the engine). Works great, seems smoother/quieter.

 

I've been running Amsoil (GL-4) in the transfer cases, transaxles, and manual boxes of my rigs for decades...
Works a treat!

https://www.amsoil.com/p/amsoil-75w-90-manual-transmission-transaxle-gear-lube-mtg/

Cheers

 

Capacity is 1 Liter. Can is 1 Liter. (1 Liter = 1.1 quart). One can is sufficient for a drain and fill

 

I went with Blauparts and just ordered the whole kit to do my Tcase and differentials. I’m sure you could find it cheaper but this was awesome and great small business to work with. plus I’ve heard tons of either Ravenol or Redline. Nothing odd since changing fluids, works great.

https://www.blauparts.com/toyota-tacoma-transfer-case-differential-fluid-change-kit.html

 

Amsoil with the squeeze bottles work fantastic.

 

I used the Ravenol, it seems to be working just fine. Cool bottle, too, has a pull-out spout that makes it easy to do a fill.

 

I’m not sure that there’s anything to be gained by selecting one fluid or another. Manual transmissions shift differently with different fluids. I don’t think that’s true for a transfer case.

 

Someone can correct me, but I think the consensus is that most dealerships are using 75-90 out of the drums.

 

Assume dealerships are always lazy shitbags until proven othereise and will never waste a chance to cut corners at every possible opportunity to squeeze every penny out of you, so yes, I think that's a safe assumption.