Gear Oils are expensive!

I just got a 2000 taco and it has around 160k miles. Since i'm not sure how long ago the gear oils where changed I will be doing the soon. So I'm looking at 4q for differentials (gl-5) and another 4q for tranny and transfer (gl-4). The issue is, they are expensive!!!! Havent gone to the store yet but saw online the mobile 1 g for 13 dollars the qt and the redline for 15. That's a lot of $ just on oil.

So are there cheaper alternatives on oil that you guys might recommend? For instance read a post that Napa has some cheaper gl-4 but didnt say anything about if it was any good.

Thanks for the help.

 

My first change was with castrol synthetic at about $9 qt.
I just bought 6 qts of amsoil gear oil at $17 a qt.

 

Just run 75-90 for everything and i used mobil 1 LS that i got for $7 a quart. Does you truck have the locker in the rear. If not u will need limited slip additive for it no matter what oil you use. They all claim they are LS compatible but they are not.

 

a bus pass is pretty cheap!

 

It had the locker in it. If it has the locker it doesn't require the additive?

 

so is not using toilet paper

 

Its the price of having something.

 

I just use valvoline oils, I do not see the need to use synthetic in the differentials or x-fer case. I believe I'm running 80W90 for the rear diff and 75W90 for the front diff and x-fer case. I think the rear was a synthetic blend and the others were dino. If you want cheaper, stop looking at Mobil 1 and Redline oils.

 

correct, no special additives needed if you don't have a limited-slip differential (you don't).

 

Thanks

 

Just plain ol

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

75w-90 and 80w-90 then?

 

Advance Auto Parts always has really good coupons. I always buy my gear oil from them.

Try code DOTWCYBER should give you 30 or 40% off
(Just found it on a google search)

 

Well, use the weights recommended in your manual, they might be different.
This is what I used for the rear:

This is what I used for the front, I apologize, I guess it was synthetic:

I want to say they were in the neighborhood of $8-9/quart.

 

they have a 75-90 mobil 1 gear oil for LSD (limited slip diff) differentials at Autozone. It can get pricey, but Its preventative maintence. Either you skimp out on the proper stuff now and pay more later or you do it proper now and wont have to worry about it for a while. The diffs dont take too much. roughly 3 for the rear, 2 for the front, and 1 for the transfer case. that's 6 at 10 bucks a qt so you're looking at 70 after taxes. Like I said, preventative maintenence.

 

That's why I got the amsoil. Mine was a little over $100 but if I want, I can run it for 150k miles, instead of changing every 30k.

 

I got the mobil one at bi-lo a local tire, auto place for $8 a quart. As far as 80-90 vs75-90 in the rear there is no difference except when cold. Its all gl-5 rated and i dont feel it makes a bit of difference. That way you buy all the same stuff and 6 quarts will do it if u take the little bit leftover from each quart and add it to the next full one. Also get the hand pump from wal-mart on the boating isle. Make life alot easier.

 

I always buy regular GL5 for the diffs and t-case by the gallon. I have a pump for the gallon jugs. I change it every 50k or so but I also don't submerge my trucks in mud any more like some do. I use synthetic in manual transmissions though. They really do help in the cold. And why would anyone need limited slip additive in a 1st gen unless it has an aftermarket clutch type limited slip in it? A first gen is either going to be an open diff or a mechanical locker. Neither needs a limited slip additive.

 

That may be but upon researching this lots of people having problems with synthetics like amsoil and royal purple. They say rearend making noises when turning and stuff and they added LSD additive and it stopped it. IDK?