Diff and Transfer Case oil change at 40-45k?

J

JLM3rd

New member
Hi All,
When I was last at my dealer for the 40k mile service, the service writer recommended changing the front and rear differential, and transfer case oil.
I declined, but I expect it'll come up at my next visit her shortly.

I do a lot of highway driving (>75%), and rarely use 4WD. Is this a service worth doing, for longevity, or is it just plus-selling by the dealer? I've no objection to getting it done, if it will truly help maintain the vehicle.

Thanks
John
 
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I don't remember what the maintenance schedule recommends, but I did mine at 35K. Maybe 100 hours of off road in 4 years, a few water crossings.

The rear diff oil was black, the front and transfer case oil looked like new. I finally added a rear diff scuba mod.
 
My front and rear were filthy after only 15k. Looked like a lot of it is break in wear (lots of iron caught in the magnet). Transfer case looked really clean though. I would definitely do front and rear, I wouldn't be too worried about the transfer case.
 
JLM3rd said:
Hi All,
When I was last at my dealer for the 40k mile service, the service writer recommended changing the front and rear differential, and transfer case oil.
I declined, but I expect it'll come up at my next visit her shortly.

I do a lot of highway driving (>75%), and rarely use 4WD. Is this a service worth doing, for longevity, or is it just plus-selling by the dealer? I've no objection to getting it done, if it will truly help maintain the vehicle.

Thanks
John
Click to expand...

I don't think 40-45k is out of line. If mileage isn't really a factor from non use, age should be considered. What year is your rig?
 
Someone correct me if I am wrong but make sure you use the correct fluid for the transfer case. I think Toyota changed the spec from earlier 4Runners
 
Ghostrider said:
Someone correct me if I am wrong but make sure you use the correct fluid for the transfer case. I think Toyota changed the spec from earlier 4Runners
Click to expand...

They did... and apparently no one makes an equivalent.

I did find that Royal Purple's Synchromax is (according to Royal Purple) a "performance upgrade". I think this means they are not saying it's an equivalent for warranty purposes, but will work just fine in current Toyota's. I gave it a shot in my '16 TE and it's working just fine so far, with no discernible difference in TC shift quality and very rapid shifts into four-wheel drive.
 

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JLM3rd said:
2015. I've had it 2 years and 1 month.
Thanks!
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I definitely think it time. At least do one of them, I would do the rear diff, that gets plenty of usage in 46K miles. Then do the transfer case the next time.

Splitting them up will be easier on the wallet or as others mentioned you can do the work yourself, it's not to hard.
 
I can't find any direct recommendation from Toyota to ever change it. I'd say 50k is reasonable. Anything less is probably good too. My last 4runner had it changed at 50k and then not again until 200k. No problems. still on the road without any issues. My guess is that if you don't tow a lot or go offroad frequently you could leave it for life (or until the rear axle bearings/seal fail around 200k). Just like the transmission fluid. I don't know if it would ever have enough wear to break down, and the shelf life is indefinite. I'd love to see the maintenance records of the million mile tundra.
 
Woz1976-MT said:
They did... and apparently no one makes an equivalent.

I did find that Royal Purple's Synchromax is (according to Royal Purple) a "performance upgrade". I think this means they are not saying it's an equivalent for warranty purposes, but will work just fine in current Toyota's. I gave it a shot in my '16 TE and it's working just fine so far, with no discernible difference in TC shift quality and very rapid shifts into four-wheel drive.
Click to expand...


According to RP it is a direct replacement.

Syncromax_zpsmtbeugne.png~original




.
 
[MENTION=96475]zonzin[/MENTION] ...

My 2011 Owners Manual indicates to use SAE 75W Toyota Genuine Transfer Gear Oil LF, and my research led me to Toyota Part # 08885-81080 (which is different than what is shown in your RP pic).
 
Bossman said:
[MENTION=96475]zonzin[/MENTION] ...

My 2011 Owners Manual indicates to use SAE 75W Toyota Genuine Transfer Gear Oil LF, and my research led me to Toyota Part # 08885-81080 (which is different than what is shown in your RP pic).
Click to expand...

So the RP table seems to indicate two different Toyota fluids, The top spec is for an older version of the Toyota fluid, V160... and the second row spec is the Toyota Genuine LF, which is 08885-81080 . Both have the RP as a replacement.



.
 
Jetboy said:
I can't find any direct recommendation from Toyota to ever change it. I'd say 50k is reasonable. Anything less is probably good too. My last 4runner had it changed at 50k and then not again until 200k. No problems. still on the road without any issues. My guess is that if you don't tow a lot or go offroad frequently you could leave it for life (or until the rear axle bearings/seal fail around 200k). Just like the transmission fluid. I don't know if it would ever have enough wear to break down, and the shelf life is indefinite. I'd love to see the maintenance records of the million mile tundra.
Click to expand...

Yeah. I had mine checked at around 2K because I had to drive through flood waters last year. It was fine. I will have mine changed at around 60K (two years for me) and then who knows? Probably every 60K or so.
 
Jetboy said:
I can't find any direct recommendation from Toyota to ever change it.
Click to expand...

In my 2011 Owner's Manual Supplement under Required Maintenance - Additional Maintenance Requirements:

If you primarily operate your vehicle under any of the following conditions:

1. Short trips of less than 5km (or less than 8 km in temperatures below 0°C).
2. Towing a trailer, using a camper or car top carrier.
3. Driving on dusty or muddy roads.
4. Frequent mountainous driving.

Change transfer case and differential fluids every 24 months / 32,000 km.
 
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Did mine at 25k when I had my air locker installed. The rear was pretty dirty, the front wasn't as bad. I put about 100-200 miles per month driving off pavement in 4WD. I do drive through a lot of muddy pools/puddles when I see them though. I also have the differential breather re-routed.
 
zonzin said:
According to RP it is a direct replacement.
Click to expand...


Well, that's what I thought, too, until I called them. I was told that it was a "performance upgrade" (or something like that) and not a direct replacement. Not sure what that means exactly, but I took it to mean the fluid is fully compatible only RP is not willing to stand behind their claim. The technical specs of the fluid appear to be as good as or better than Toyota LF gear oil.

Either way, it's working great in my 2016!

PS: I just realized that I posted the Synchromax product sheet, not the Cross Reference document that you posted (which I originally meant to post)... thanks for catching that!
 
Yeah, having just hit 31k and having done a bit of off-roading in those miles, I am changing the differentials and the transfer case this weekend. Swapping with either Redline or Mobil 1 75w-90, I have easy access to both. Some have mentioned here that the transfer case "needs to be" the Toyota spec T-case fluid, but there are many on here that readily swap in Mobil 1 75w-90. General consensus is that the T-case can take the same fluids as the differentials? The Toyota dealer here when I requested the SAE 75w fluid, they didn't even know how to order it.

Thanks for the help in advance, guys!
 
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