Differential and transfer case fluids ?

So I’m trying to decide on brands to do the transfer case and differential rear and front what do u guys recommend ? Thanks

 

Normally posts like yours are only done on Fridays.

I don't think your question can be answered with objective answer. You're going to get a lot of people saying "OEM only". Personally, I don't think it matters as long as it has an SAE stamp on it.

 

Definitely not going oem stuff is way overpriced lol … was looking for alternative that can provide protection and save on the wallet .

 

I used the expensive Toyota transfer case fluid. For the front and rear diffs, I had Valvoline gear oil on my shelf. This link is still expensive but cheaper than what my dealer wanted for a can.

https://www.oempartstoyou.com/oem-p...Juk_4XKZhTMZ1IkoymreguwKW4F4VeIRoCFBgQAvD_BwE

 

Red Line 75W85 (GL-5) for the front and rear differentials
Red Line MTLV 70W75 (GL-4) for the transfer case

I wasn't looking at cost. I just wanted good quality that wasn't Toyota and was defendable for warranty purposes.

 

As far as I know ( not much) we can use gl5 for all 3, front/rear diff and transfer.

Gl4 for only on manual trans.

this is a very helpful video:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3le9ZT5HUlk

 

Mobil 1 or the squeeze bottle Valvoline synthetic

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

75w-90

 

Thanks. I saw that video and he did say GL-5 for the transfer case. There have been multiple people on this forum insisting that the transfer case has brass parts that would be damaged by GL-5. In the end, I went with what Red Line recommended and what some members on this forum reported worked well for them.

 

manual transmission has indeed brass parts.. I believe the “synchros”

I have manual and used gl4 because of this as the care nut channel on YouTube states..

 

Hi,

I found a video of a guy disassembling a 3rd gen transfer case. He points out the brass parts in the video. I don’t know why the car care nut would mention that GL-5 destroys soft metals like brass and then say to use GL-5 for the transfer case. But to be safe, I’ll stick with GL-4.


https://youtu.be/DlOm8_Tt81c?si=DYgn23cu9Z1QxdxW

 

Mobil Delvac 1

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

75w-90 for diffs and not touching the TC for a while longer. Probably will go with Ravenol when ready for TC change.

 

Royal Purple GL-5 SAE

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

75w-90 for front and rear diffs. Redline GL-4 SAE 75w-90 for manual transmission, and Redline GL-4 75w for transfer case.

 

I just did Ravenol 75w-85 in front and rear diff and Ravenol 75w in the transfer case. I'll come back in 100k and let you know how they did

Purchased from Blauparts.

 

The Owner's Manual just says 75W for the transfer case. The differential section in the specifications page of the owner's manual states GL-5. The manual transmission section specifically states GL-4. The transfer case section makes no such distinction. Not saying folks on here are wrong, based on their experience, but the book says 75W. That's likely why the Car Care Nut says use the same stuff in the diffs and transfer case. I do know that GL-5 has a much higher percentage of certain stuff that eats soft metals in synchros in manual transmissions and that's why GL-4 is specified. Perhaps that "extra" stuff is seen as necessary in the transfer case. Don't know - not a seasoned mechanic. I'm just going to follow the book on this one.

 

I used Ravenol.
https://www.ravenolamerica.com/categories/by-application.html

 

I use this from Germany.
Comes in different weights for diff and TC.
Great stuff.

 

Yep, same stuff I sloshed in 10k go.

 

Toyota transfer cases have had a brass synchro since the beginning of time. Toyota has recommend the same fluid for differential and transfer cases in the past...for years. This third gen fluid is recommended for some unknown reason but it isn't for the synchro.

 

Oil is cheap, transfer cases aren't, use the right stuff.

 

This is what I did for my change. I went with Amsoil Severe Gear in the Diffs, Amsoil Manual Transmission fluid, and I ordered the Toyota OEM transfer case fluid. It was much cheaper in Europe (about 37 USD at the exchange rate back then) so now that I am in the States I guess I may have to cough up a little more money. The site only had two EZ pours of Severe Gear in stock so I ordered 4 of the regular ones. In hindsight, since its more expensive, I should have just bought one EZ pour and then refilled it with the regular ones after I put the original content.