‘16-newer Transfer Cases

I wonder if this would work?

https://www.redlineoil.com/75w85-gl-5-gear-oil

 

This wouldn't be very different from the other 75W90 synthetic gear oils on the market today (or it wouldn't work too well in the rear diff application that it's advertised for).

Transfer case and rear diff are very different environments. The transfer case effectively never heats up the oil to operating temperature. The rear diff, because of the friction from the hypoid ring & pinion gear set, typically incurs losses of 11-15%. 15% of 278 hp is 31,000W (106,000 BTU/hr) of heat being dumped into the rear diff oil at full throttle.

 

$30 75w-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

75w-90 is pretty thin. Without spending the huge $ on the Toyota 75w fluid what is the second best option?

 

$30 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

75W-90 when cold is still thicker than 75W140 when hot. Since the T-case never gets hot, Toyota probably spec'd an even lower viscosity fluid to improve efficiency. Wonder why they don't just switch to Dexron III like GM T-cases. At least it'll be common with the power steering sytem.

 

Does the transfer case have any special needs in the friction department? I don't think so but I am not a TC expert nor have even torn into one. Seems like what is needed is gear oil in the 7-9 CST range. Is this not what the Toyota fluid is? Just expensive.

 

So is the Toyota 75w the only option? Too expensive

 

There are several others posted earlier plus a FTFY at the end:

Note that we have only seen VOAs on the Toyota and Ravenol fluids. Ravenol is a bit disappointing. I used it before seeing the VOA and will probably swap back to the Toyota stuff at 40k or 50k since I am using the T case a lot with the 2LM.

I have no complaints about Ravenol, just a bit of worry.

 

50 bucks every 60000 miles is too expensive?

 

FWIW, we can add Redline-LV to the list of fluids that make the claim.

 

I edited my post to edit your quote.

 

The whole point of this thread is to discuss commonly available alternatives for the T-case. Red Line LV is listed as compatible, less than $20, and is a reputable brand.

 

I used the redline 75w lv which is listed as an oem equiv on redlines site. Zero issues. Seems to shift better too.

 

So has anyone found a place with free shipping for the Toyota LF fluid? It's always 58 bucks...plus 13-16 bucks shipping...

*edit*

@tonered Michaels in bellevue has it for $49. Sales tax of course, but cheaper than anywhere else + shipping. Currently they are all held for service, but they are going to hold 1 for me to pick up in the next couple of days.

 

Picked up a gallon of Redline MT-LV oem equivalent, should be arriving tomorrow. T-case (and diffs) oil change in ~9k mi.

Did ravenol at 36k, haven't had any problems in 21k mi. and routinely put it into 4hi on the daily drive to and from the interstate on back roads.

 

That's excellent!

I only hear good things about that dealer.

 

I ran into the same conundrums with my 4Runner. I went to two area dealers looking for the liquid gold and they not only had none, but had no idea what I was talking about. I can only assume they were just putting what they used in the differentials in the transfer case.

I opted for the Royal Purple Synchromax. I did the change at around 45k miles, and then again around 90k, and traded it in at 122k, but to my limited knowledge, it worked just fine. Good shifts, but of course, I never tore it down or anything like that. I suppose I’ll keep monitoring this thread, but will likely stay with the Synchromax. Not that it means anything, but the bottle does at least talk about protecting soft metals...

 

I'd run 75W90 GL5 in your diffs. The gallon you bought may be a straight 70W

 

They're gonna need more than a gallon for the diffs also.

 

I like 75W-110 in my rear diffy

 

Indeed, my diff's have redline 75w90 in them from 1st change I did, still have ~40% of the remaining gallon left, so I'll be picking up another gallon before it's time to change them...the redline LV is for the T-case only.