The 5th gen calls for SAE 75W LF gear oil "or equivalent" in the T-case.

The spec oil is only available from Toyota and costs $55+ per liter. And one liter might not be enough.

Discussions here and on other sites reveal that 1) many or most dealers aren't using the OEM oil, and 2) a lot of people are running AMSOIL 75W-90 Severe Gear in the T-case.

If you are running the AMSOIL in the T-case, what has your experience been?

A lot of people use Amsoil because of the MLM marketing of it.
Basically, everyone is a dealer to get it cheaper, and don't want it sitting around so they talk it up everywhere.
(Let the flame war begin)

I ran that sh*t in X-fer cases in my 99 Land Rover D1 and then in my '02 4R. (Yes, I used to buy into hype too)
T-case was "loose" in the LR, fine in the 4R.


I switched to this and it was night and day for the slopbox in the LR so I did the 4R with the RL.
https://www.redlineoil.com/heavy-shockproof

Beware, IF you do use it, which I doubt since you mention Amsoil, it is like pumping "cherry dip" color red grease.


Here is the analysis for the Toyota stuff.
Toyota Transfer Gear Oil 75W VOA | Bob Is The Oil Guy

Amsoil
VOA: Amsoil Severe Gear (SVG) 75W-90 | Bob Is The Oil Guy

Shockproof Heavy, Light, Superlight.
https://www.redlineoil.com/shockproof-gear-oils
And other gear lubes.
Red Line Synthetic Oil. Gear Oil

When you switched to RL from Amsoil in the runner TC was it night and day like the LR? I've been running the Amsoil in the diffs with no issues.

How many miles on your amsoil? I went from 75k OEM transfer fluid to redline and felt no difference. In fact, other than the slightly darker honey colored OEM fluid, i think one can easily go 100k+ on OEM fluid. In other words you probably won't feel any difference switching to redline, at least, not until the oil is shot.

Use Valvoline. What a hoax!

I use Ravenol SAE 75W

Looks to be the closest equivalent to the OEM fluid T-case.

Amazon.com: RAVENOL J1C1003 SAE 75W Manual Transmission Fluid - MTF-3 Full Synthetic (1 Liter): Automotive

Ditto on the Ravenol, I bought 2L thinking I might need some extra to completely fill. Turns out 1L filled mine to capacity.

Walmart 75W-90

Mobil Delvac 75w90. Wondering if I violated the manufacturer's warranty.....I mean we have 250K miles on a 2014.

I've started using Schaeffer's for everything, so come spring their 75w-90 will be going in. There have been reports here and there if shifting issues with other fluids, so if that occurs it will be a switch to the Ravenol. No way paying $75/L!

I question the claims of shifting issues being due to oil. More likely wheels were turned which can prevent it from going into 4wd. That's addressed by straightening the wheels and rolling back then forward to unbind it. Most here are too young to remember the good old days of offroading with a 4wd.

I will add here that I put the AMSOIL SVG in my front diff, and that seems to be working fine.

My T-case still has the factory oil. I often get a "clunk" from the T-case, particularly when it's cold. If it's not warmed up by driving a bit, it's guaranteed I will get a clunk, maybe a scary-loud one, when shifting to/from low range.

(Going back ~15 years at the time)

There is NO comparison between Severe Gear and Shockproof Heavy.
I used the SG at first because I bought into the hype.
I then noticed it did nothing.
I switched to Heavy Shockproof, and it was like the TC was brandy new.
I kid you not. No noise. No slop.
Sure, I *could* have FIXED it, but it really was not worth the time.

(Once you use Shockproof Heavy, there will always be a red coating for a few changes afterwards should you switch to something else)


***I am not here to sell you a damn thing, I just am one person to test many different means and methods.
What works for me may not work for you.***
***And I really don't care for Amsoil marketing tactics. And the fact they hide it when asked***

Yep. I used to get those clunks in my Landy.
Then I woke up.

Different spec oils don't play well with certain metals in certain applications.