1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Help with Manual transmission and differential oil.

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by wild03, Dec 2, 2014.

  1. Dec 2, 2014 at 12:51 PM
    #1
    wild03

    wild03 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2014
    Member:
    #143268
    Messages:
    76
    Gender:
    Male
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    98 Tacoma DLX 2.4L
    tach
    Hello,

    I know this has been asked in the forum a lot, but I was wondering if people are running the same oil on their manual transmission and on their differential.

    I just bought a 1998 with 137K miles and want to change all fluids, the truck will be used a few times a month moving things around the city.

    Specs call for 2.3 qt on the transmission and 1.2 qt on the diff. Both specify Gl-5 on the specs.

    I ask because If I buy different oils I'll end up with two different bottles with alot of oil in them, where if one oil is used I'll have half a qt left.

    Amazon has the Royal purple for $15
    http://www.amazon.com/Royal-Purple-Performance-Synthetic-Automotive/dp/B0007QGT34

    They don't have amsoil.

    Should I just spend the extra ~$15 and run different oils?

    MT-90 is about $17

    Are these prices good compared to local stores?

    Thanks a lot.

    What do you do with the extra gear oil? :D
     
  2. Dec 2, 2014 at 12:58 PM
    #2
    Madjik_Man

    Madjik_Man The Rembrandt of Rattle Can

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2009
    Member:
    #26893
    Messages:
    19,147
    Gender:
    Male
    Colorado Front Range
    Vehicle:
    1998 Ext Cab 3.4 4x4 TRD 5MT, 2004 DC 3.4 4x4 TRD
    Royal Purple sucks IMO. I had a horrible experience with it and my transmission has never felt perfect since I used it.

    I switch to MT-90 for my transmission and it's worlds better.
     
  3. Dec 2, 2014 at 1:03 PM
    #3
    elnip

    elnip Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2012
    Member:
    #86436
    Messages:
    501
    Gender:
    Male
    LC,NM
    Vehicle:
    '98 Tacoma TRD S/C'd / /'16 T4R Trail
    Taco SC'd, fuel mods, Supra TT MAF, TRD Headers, Water Meth Injection, Tundra Brake upgrade Trail w/URD EL Headers. JFR EL Y-pipe, URD Hi Clearance cat back, KDMAX Tune, 4.56's
    I use the amsoil severe gear 75-w90 in both diffs and the tranny. You will be fine using it in both.
     
  4. Dec 2, 2014 at 1:09 PM
    #4
    wild03

    wild03 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2014
    Member:
    #143268
    Messages:
    76
    Gender:
    Male
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    98 Tacoma DLX 2.4L
    tach
    Thanks for the advice so far (good to know about RP),

    My only issue with amsoil is availability, website lists dealers across the city from me.

    Any advice as far as price? how much is amsoil? compared to the other products I mentioned?
     
  5. Dec 2, 2014 at 2:10 PM
    #5
    sirotto

    sirotto Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2014
    Member:
    #138635
    Messages:
    48
    Gender:
    Male
    Indy
    Vehicle:
    Taco with a man pedal
    Bone stock
    Just .02 but i use Castrol SynGear. Readily avail and been around for awhile. Yes it is GL5 rated. As long as you keep up with the changing intervals i wouldn't put to much thought into it.

    If you are like me and wanted to remove some of the notchiness from it you can use Redline but i didn't feel any difference between it and SynGear.
     
  6. Dec 2, 2014 at 7:36 PM
    #6
    wild03

    wild03 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2014
    Member:
    #143268
    Messages:
    76
    Gender:
    Male
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    98 Tacoma DLX 2.4L
    tach
    Thanks, I'll order the 3qt of MT-90 from Amazon, then get something else for the differential.
     
  7. Dec 2, 2014 at 7:52 PM
    #7
    Norton

    Norton Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2011
    Member:
    #52729
    Messages:
    4,577
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steve
    Colorado Springs, CO
    Vehicle:
    2013 Access Cab 4x4 V6 6MT, TRD OR & Tow Packages
    Magnuson S/C w/12TRDTacoma's Qwikchange Hub & 2.5" RIP-Modded Pulley, Roostfactor's Pulley Wrap Mod; FPR Mod; JustDSM Tune via HPT MPVI2; mightytacoman Intercooler Tank; aFe POWER Magnum FLOW Pro DRY S Air Filter; OME Suspension Lift (885 Coils, Dakar Leafs, NitroCharger Sports); TRD Quickshifter w/TRD 6-Spd Knob; TRD Exhaust; NSB-AGM27F Battery w/HKB Adjustable Voltage Booster & Coupe's TRD Battery Hold Down; Goodridge SS Brake Lines; Trident904's MT ADM; BFG All-Terrain T/A KO2s on FJ SE Anthracite Rims; N-Fab 6-Step Nerf Bars; BPF TRD Skid, Tow Hook, & Cooling Panel; jsi's Locker Anytime, Up2NoGood's 2Lo Module; ramonortiz55's Always on Power Outlet Relay, ND4's Fog Light Anytime, & Crom's Speed Bleeder Mods; crashnburn80's Ultimate Headlight & Fog Light Upgrades; ThreatLevelMidnight's Wireless Charger; 4Runner 4X4 & FJ Fog Light Switches; redtaco2007-inspired LED License Plate Lights; AudioControl LC2i LOC, JL Audio XD200/2v2 Amp, Focal PS165V1 Spkrs, Sound Ordnance B-8PTD Sub, Hushmat & Noico Sound Insulation; loginfailed-inspired Speedhut Boost & AFR Gauges in a Lotek Pillar Pod; Ltd Auto-Dim/Compass/Temp/Backup Camera/Homelink mirror on ImMrYo's Mirror Lift Bracket; TacomaBeast Glove Box & Console Organizers; Husky Floor Liners; UltraGauge EM; mesojdm's Ultimate LED Dome & Map Lights & GASSHOLE; Redline Tuning QuickLIFT Elite; Mobtown Offroad Locking Bed Storage Doors; Toyota Bed Mat; Cali Raised Led Bed Stiffeners; Pop & Lock Power Tailgate Lock w/TacomaTruckParts Support Bracket; ARE Z-Series Cap, SolarGard Tint; BlendMounted & MirrorTapped Uniden R3; CravenSpeed Stubby Antenna; Amsoil Lubricants; Adam's Detailing Supplies
    +1 for Amsoil Severe Gear. :thumbsup:
    If you can't locate a nearby dealer, become a Preferred Customer. Doing so costs as little as $10 and gets you a 25% discount on purchases. Note that buying in case-quantity makes shipping somewhat more cost-effective.
     
  8. Dec 2, 2014 at 7:53 PM
    #8
    TacomaG26

    TacomaG26 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2011
    Member:
    #67283
    Messages:
    430
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nic
    Goldsboro NC
    Vehicle:
    4.0v6 4x4 TRD Sport
    2.5in spacer leveling kit with Toytech AAL in the rear, Brute Force Fab front and rear bumper, AFE stage2 CAI, Alpine headunit with Rockford Fosgate amp and sub, tibted windows, KC lights.
    I love Roral Purple
     
  9. Dec 2, 2014 at 8:52 PM
    #9
    97TacoNM

    97TacoNM Riding a 97 Taco

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2014
    Member:
    #135833
    Messages:
    465
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    NM
    Vehicle:
    97 Taco LX 4x4 Ext Cab
    Rampage halogens Custom bed rack
    I just now put in Mobil 1 into my t-case and tranny, and plan on using the same for my diffs. Makes it easier to just have that one oil to deal with. AutoZone carries in on the shelf.
     
  10. Dec 2, 2014 at 8:56 PM
    #10
    97TacoNM

    97TacoNM Riding a 97 Taco

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2014
    Member:
    #135833
    Messages:
    465
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    NM
    Vehicle:
    97 Taco LX 4x4 Ext Cab
    Rampage halogens Custom bed rack
  11. Dec 2, 2014 at 9:13 PM
    #11
    Digiratus

    Digiratus Adventurer

    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2010
    Member:
    #34006
    Messages:
    22,944
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Roaming the PNW
    Vehicle:
    The RedHead
    2002 XtraCab TRD 4x4 SCv6 AutoTrans With Lots of Mods ADS COs w/Compression Adjusters Camburg Uniball UCAs Whiteline Lower Control Arm Bushings Kartek 7" Limit Straps Plastics Guy Front Bumpstops Custom Alcan Springs +800 lbs +3" ADS 10" Stroke Triple Bypass w/Resi Rear Shocks Custom Rear Shock Relocate All-Pro U-bolt Flip w/Timbren Bumpstops 4.88 Nitro Gears ARB Front Locker ARB Twin Compressor Black 17x8 Konig Countersteer Type X 285/70r17 Falken A/T3w Gunmetal 16x8 SCS Ray10s 255/85r16 Maxxis Bighorns Limited Edition (Relentless) Elite Front Bumper Smittybilt X2O 10K Winch Diode Dynamics SS3 Sport Selective Yellow Fog Lights in the Bumper Diode Dynamics SS3 Pro 4,000 Kelvin SAE Driving Lights with Clear Lenses on the Bumper Morimoto D2S Projectors XB35 Ballasts + 4300K Bulbs Badland Sliders FrankenFab Tire Carrier Swingout bumper w/kitchen BudBuilt Front & Bellypan Skids BAMF Rear Diff Skid Dometic CFX 55im Fridge/Freezer Alpha II Hardshell RTT Badland Custom Bed Rack Denso 210-0461 105 amp alternator Dual Northstar 24F AGM batteries BlueSea 7622 ML-ACR Battery controller Peak DBI Dual Battery Voltage Monitor Magnuson MP62 Supercharger w/2.37" Pulley Haltech Elite 2000 Standalone ECU Denso 650cc Fuel Injectors Doug Thorley Headers Aeromotive Stealth 340 Fuel Pump TransGo A340F Reprogramming Shift Kit Magnaflow Hi-Flow CAT, Magnaflow 18" Muffler w/Vibrant Resonator 13WL Brake Calipers Braided Steel Brake Lines ScanGauge II OBDII Scanner Kenwood TM-71A Dual Band Ham Radio Larson 70CM/2M Antenna Uniden 520xl CB radio 3' Firestik Adjustable tip antenna Pioneer DEH-P9400BH HU Alpine Amps & Type R components (F) and coaxials (R) Wet Okole Seat Covers Weathertech Digital Liners Deck Plate Mod 1" Diff Drop Carrier Bearing Drop
    Be careful with the products with the GL-5 specifications. The manual transmission has metals in it that can be broken down by some of the additives used to meet the GL-5 spec.

    Pretty sure you owners manual states to only use GL-4 spec'd gear oil in the trans. The Redline MT-90 is a GL-4 oil.
     
    DavidJRiffle likes this.
  12. Dec 2, 2014 at 9:18 PM
    #12
    cosmicfires

    cosmicfires Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2012
    Member:
    #82824
    Messages:
    3,190
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    David
    Everett, WA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Regular Cab SR5 4cyl 5speed 4x4
    Snugtop cab high canopy.
    I am doing the same and agree. That's what amsoil recommends.
     
  13. Dec 2, 2014 at 9:20 PM
    #13
    97TacoNM

    97TacoNM Riding a 97 Taco

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2014
    Member:
    #135833
    Messages:
    465
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    NM
    Vehicle:
    97 Taco LX 4x4 Ext Cab
    Rampage halogens Custom bed rack
    My '97 2.7L manual states GL-4 or GL-5. I wonder if the trannies are that different between his '98 2.4L and mine. 2wd vs. 4wd maybe?
     
  14. Dec 2, 2014 at 9:27 PM
    #14
    Squeaky Penguin

    Squeaky Penguin Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2012
    Member:
    #76340
    Messages:
    9,744
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brett
    Steamboat Springs, Colorado
    Vehicle:
    '01 4WD, SR5, TRD & '13 TRDOR AC
    Lots of dust and custom dents, Check Build
    I was just going over this yesterday with 97tacoNM and took this picture of my manual:

    [​IMG]

    I have read too not to use GL-5, but am beginning to question where that idea comes from in the first place.

    FWIW: I ran whatever cheap (think it was Valvoline) 75w-90 GL-5 in both diffs, transfer case, and transmission for over a year. Had no issues. Late this summer I swapped the transmission out to MT-90, it may have made a little difference, but not really a ton. At least not enough for me to notice any big improvement or anything else to justify the price.
     
  15. Dec 2, 2014 at 9:31 PM
    #15
    tomtom

    tomtom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2012
    Member:
    #82706
    Messages:
    5,371
    Gender:
    Male
    The Desert SW
    Vehicle:
    2012 FJ
    I run whatever Toyota has been putting in for the past 12 years. Runs just fine.
     
  16. Dec 2, 2014 at 9:40 PM
    #16
    Digiratus

    Digiratus Adventurer

    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2010
    Member:
    #34006
    Messages:
    22,944
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Roaming the PNW
    Vehicle:
    The RedHead
    2002 XtraCab TRD 4x4 SCv6 AutoTrans With Lots of Mods ADS COs w/Compression Adjusters Camburg Uniball UCAs Whiteline Lower Control Arm Bushings Kartek 7" Limit Straps Plastics Guy Front Bumpstops Custom Alcan Springs +800 lbs +3" ADS 10" Stroke Triple Bypass w/Resi Rear Shocks Custom Rear Shock Relocate All-Pro U-bolt Flip w/Timbren Bumpstops 4.88 Nitro Gears ARB Front Locker ARB Twin Compressor Black 17x8 Konig Countersteer Type X 285/70r17 Falken A/T3w Gunmetal 16x8 SCS Ray10s 255/85r16 Maxxis Bighorns Limited Edition (Relentless) Elite Front Bumper Smittybilt X2O 10K Winch Diode Dynamics SS3 Sport Selective Yellow Fog Lights in the Bumper Diode Dynamics SS3 Pro 4,000 Kelvin SAE Driving Lights with Clear Lenses on the Bumper Morimoto D2S Projectors XB35 Ballasts + 4300K Bulbs Badland Sliders FrankenFab Tire Carrier Swingout bumper w/kitchen BudBuilt Front & Bellypan Skids BAMF Rear Diff Skid Dometic CFX 55im Fridge/Freezer Alpha II Hardshell RTT Badland Custom Bed Rack Denso 210-0461 105 amp alternator Dual Northstar 24F AGM batteries BlueSea 7622 ML-ACR Battery controller Peak DBI Dual Battery Voltage Monitor Magnuson MP62 Supercharger w/2.37" Pulley Haltech Elite 2000 Standalone ECU Denso 650cc Fuel Injectors Doug Thorley Headers Aeromotive Stealth 340 Fuel Pump TransGo A340F Reprogramming Shift Kit Magnaflow Hi-Flow CAT, Magnaflow 18" Muffler w/Vibrant Resonator 13WL Brake Calipers Braided Steel Brake Lines ScanGauge II OBDII Scanner Kenwood TM-71A Dual Band Ham Radio Larson 70CM/2M Antenna Uniden 520xl CB radio 3' Firestik Adjustable tip antenna Pioneer DEH-P9400BH HU Alpine Amps & Type R components (F) and coaxials (R) Wet Okole Seat Covers Weathertech Digital Liners Deck Plate Mod 1" Diff Drop Carrier Bearing Drop
    Interesting. Toyota may have changed it with the newer Tacomas. I got my info from my '98 owners manual. I could be wrong about the metals part or perhaps the newer models use alloys that are more resistant to the GL-5 additives. From what I recall reading (TTORA I think) is that it was the brass syncros that were effected.
     
  17. Dec 2, 2014 at 9:44 PM
    #17
    wild03

    wild03 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2014
    Member:
    #143268
    Messages:
    76
    Gender:
    Male
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    98 Tacoma DLX 2.4L
    tach
    to clarify my 98 manual also states "GL-4 or GL-5".

    I've read that some of the "fancy" GL-5 might actually be too slippery to be used in the transmission because the synchros do not slow down fast enough for smooth shifting....or something like that.

    from Red line website http://www.redlineoil.com/Products.aspx?pcid=7
    "Since most GL-5 gear oils for differentials are too slippery for manual transmissions, Red Line offers these products that ensure proper shifting while providing ultimate wear protection"

    "Appropriate coefficient of friction for most manual transmission synchronizers (other's synthetic gear oils are often too slippery for proper synchro engagement)"
     
    Last edited: Dec 2, 2014
  18. Dec 2, 2014 at 9:48 PM
    #18
    dakotasyota

    dakotasyota Just a Fringe of the Ging in your Minge

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2013
    Member:
    #106099
    Messages:
    7,938
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dakota
    Ellensburg, WA
    Vehicle:
    06 Access Cab, Manual, V6, 4x4, TRD Off-Road
    Total Chaos +2 LT w/ 2.5 x 8 Kings, 700 lb coils, Chevy 63s, BAMF Shock relocation, 12" King Smoothies, Locker Anytime Mod, 5% Tint All Around, 4xInnovations full skids, Custom Made Rock Sliders, 4xInnovations HC Rear Bumper w/ Tire Carrier, SOS Original Plate 2 Front Bumper, 130 w KC Slimlites, Homertaco Raptor Grill, Bestop Supertop, Smittybilt 9500 lb winch, Flowmaster 40 series, JVC deck w/ 12" Rockford Fosgate T1 in custom box, and lots more!!
    I know you have a first gen, but my .02

    I've felt a world of difference using redline mt-90. Very happy with it. People on here talk very fondly of it as well.
     
  19. Dec 2, 2014 at 10:15 PM
    #19
    tomtom

    tomtom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2012
    Member:
    #82706
    Messages:
    5,371
    Gender:
    Male
    The Desert SW
    Vehicle:
    2012 FJ
    Allegedly, sulphur additives in GL-5 would eat up bronze and other "yellow" metal synchros. I'm sure, in a chemistry class somewhere, an experiment has been run where someone dissolved copper using sulphur and made copper sulfide.

    Perusing forums regarding this subject, nothing but hearsay and speculation. "A friend of a friend said..." "My tranny hated it." "When I was a kid, we used GL-4 and our trannies loved it." "The sulphur in GL-5 eats copper alloys for breakfast and then comes back for seconds. Nom. Nom. Nom." "I watched an 'Alien' movie and it bled GL-5 and it ate right through the copper hull of the spaceship."

    I have not experienced nor do I know of anyone that has had to do a rebuild because sulphur ate their synchros. Every shifting issues I can recall reading on this forum was solved with a new clutch or new hydraulics.

    Snopes.com is curiously silent on the matter...

    :)
     
    Last edited: Dec 3, 2014
  20. Dec 2, 2014 at 10:35 PM
    #20
    Speedytech7

    Speedytech7 Toyota Cult Ombudsman

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2014
    Member:
    #123587
    Messages:
    52,135
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    ゼイン
    Spokinawa, WA
    Vehicle:
    93 80 Series LC & 96 Turbo V6 Taco 4WD
    I've done a mod or two

Products Discussed in

To Top