GL5 in transfer case ok?

Just did my front and rear diff with redline 75w-85. I got the redline MT-LV for the transfer case but as I was crawling under my truck I accidentally knocked it over and it spilled. Frick! So I didn’t have enough to fill the t case. So I took the wife’s car to oreillys and auto zone. Neither had redline stuff so I just grabbed some Lucas

$26 75w-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

75w-90 as I read in my research a lot of people just use 75w-90 for all three. I remembered reading something about GL-5 ratings but can’t find it now. Is GL-5 ok in the t case? Or should I order some more redline MT-LV and drive with the Lucas stuff for a few days?

 

Never mind I found it. It was the car care nut guy on YouTube and it was manual transmissions that he said don’t use GL-5

 

For the second gen automatics the manual states that 75-85 (GL5) is for the the front and rear while 75-90 (GL5) is for the T case, I’m sure you’re fine.
Do you have an automatic or manual transmission?

 

I have a third Gen with an auto

 

While the manual doesn't specify a GL rating for the transfer case (and even the Toyota transfer case oil for 3rd gens doesn't specify a GL rating on the can), if you look at tear downs of the 3rd gen transfer case you'll see yellow metal synchros inside. Since GL-5 isn't good for these metals, I'd mail order some more MT-LV and do a drain/fill.

Just because dealerships put diff oil in the transfer case doesn't make it right.

 

The 3ed gen transfer case specification is for the 75W single grade transfer gear oil.
The use of

$26 Mobil 1 104361 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

75W-90 has been hotly debated on the forum.

There are two obvious takeaways here:
1) Toyota did specify that oil, seeing as they have the engineers one can assume it was for a particular reason -- a reason that nobody here has gotten a direct answer from Toyota.
There is however a lot of "...well, I always..."

2) You are also free to use whatever product you please.

If you need the truck for transportation put the 75W-90 in and change it out as soon as you get the correct fluid.

 

I agree with Homiec here. The brass shift sleeves in the transfer case need the 75w specific fluid NOT 75/90 or GL5 anything. Ravenol the German brand has the Toyota spec fluid for 1/3 the price of Toyota transfer case fluid

 

The Toyota spec is 08885-81001 or 08885-81081

 

Do you have a link to the Ravenol stuff?

Edit…. Ha! Thanks!

 

I got mine from blauparts.com

 

I've been running this stuff for the last couple years, 30,000. No problems yet but I will report back if any arise.

 

Just buy the oem transfer case oil from the dealer

 

Depends on how cold the winters get in your area. In northern states, 3rd gen owners have reported difficulty shifting into and out of 4x4 with 75W90. Changing to the specified low-viscosity oil solved the problem.

 

The Toyota 75w fluid is approx. $100 a liter, yes. The Ravenol is about $25 a liter so it’s more like 1/4 of the cost. I have found that one liter is perfect for a transfer case drain and refill but you will need 2 for a dry fill following any disassembly or repairs.

 

Guys not to beat a dead horse here, but it isn’t just the viscosity difference. GL5 oil is a hypoid gear oil for DIFFERENTIALS due to the high pressures between the ring and pinion gears. It is not designed to be used in the transfer cases in our Tacomas. From what I have found doing research it is because the additives in GL5 fluids will attack and corrode any brass components.

 

Like RustyGreen posted above… you are free to use whatever you please. Our trucks and transfer cases are expensive, why not just run the fluid Toyota specifies? Will 75/90 GL5 work? Sure. The premature wear it may cause likely could take longer than 30k miles to show up.

 

There are literally millions of 1st gens and 2nd gens running GL5 in the transfer case with no issues (OK maybe 20,000 1st gens still running). From the 2015 Tacoma owner's manual:



Really the lower viscosity is the reason Toyota changed to the LF fluid for 3rd gens (and 5th gen 4Runners) - Toyota is doing it to eck out the last 0.1 mpg. However, looks like there's some shift actuator timing changes that causes problems in the winter if you use normal viscosity oil.

Toyota switched to WS ATF in the transfer case in the 2022+ Tundra. 4th gen will likely get the same.

 

Toyota changed the specification for the 3ed gen.

From the 2017 owners manual:

 

^Yes I know, and I told @Josh-L what can happen if he keeps the 75W90 in there. You replied to my message mid-edit.

 

Like has been stated previously you are welcome to run whatever fluid you chooses in your truck. Last time I checked my 3rd gen Tacoma didn’t have a 2nd gen transfer case in it. Maybe yours does?