Front and Rear Diff fluid change

[CutthroatSlam]

I can't say that is absolutely will cause failure. You can't say that it absolutely won't cause failure. I can tell you that is absolutely not what belong in the case, that's fact. Free advise is worth just that, absolutely nothing. People come here for facts and that's what they should be given. Saying you did it and it worked doesn't mean everyone should go out and do it. I'm not going to continue going back and forth though, just not worth my time anymore. Use what you want but don't claim to be an expert just because you've done something out of pure cheapness and not wanting to pay a measly $85 for the correct fluid for your $40,000 vehicle. Guarantee I have far more experience than 90% of the people on this page, that counts for more than anything else. Carry on everyone, nothing more to see here.

246K miles on a 2014 SR5 running non-OEM fluids. I think the scoreboard tells you everything you need to know.

BTW $40K for a vehicle is chump change, but it sounds it’s a major part of your net worth. For me it’s not about saving $85 on fluid. It’s a about obtaining the correct knowledge that sets you free from overpaying for everything in your life. When you add all of those decisions together and compound them, you can pay cash for 100 Toyota SR5 and still not make a dent in your wallet. Imagine that....because it is my reality.

 

[Tuco S.]

i was able to do rear diff, and atf with just a funnel and a long 1/2" vinyl hose attached to it.. i just kept the funnel high up and taped to anything i can come up with and let gravity do the rest

i havent done the t/c or front diff but i cant imagine i'd need pumps at all

https://www.sears.com/plews-55001-lubrimatic-fluid-quart-pump-fits/p-SPM8868147424

This is what I used to do the front and rear diffs. Worked great.

 

[Tuco S.]

Oh, and do I dare ask what the current consensus is regarding diff oil? :hiding:

My 2018 manual calls for "LT 75W-85 GL-5 or equivalent." There seem to be plenty of 75W-90 options available. Same cold viscosity, but is it OK for someone in a hot climate (Las Vegas)?

Otherwise, I assume I'd have to shell out for the no-doubt costly OEM oil. :wof:

The Toyota spec fluid for the front and rear diffs is really nothing special, and in my opinion not something worth paying a premium for. I went with Motul Gear 300 75w90, got it on Amazon for about half the price of the oem 75w85. It works great.

It also meets both GL-4 and GL-5, so it's probably just fine in the transfer case as well. Haven't decided if I'll use it in the transfer case or go with a straight 75w GL-4.

 

[CutthroatSlam]

Mobil 1 Delvac Synthetic 75w90. Our 2014 has 185K happy miles on it.
Unusual Activity Detected - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing

It’s Ma’am!

 

[IrishRover]

For what it’s worth, I just traded in my Xterra for a 4Runner this summer so I’m very new to the Toyota world. But I went to the dealership to buy diff fluid, the only sell 75w-90 and said that’s what they put in both diffs as well as the t case when they do the service .

 

[1000MPH]

Actually a Lifelong Conservative and born in California when it was conservative. Now have two homes in California and a ranch in Montana, so definitely not a liberal.

So we can have people who live in fear and only use Toyota OEM fluids, or we can have those like myself who studied up on the issue and use aftermarket fluids to great success. Which one is right? Well, we’re at 246K miles on a 2014 SR5 purchased new in September. All on aftermarket fluids after changing out the OEM fluids. Aside from balancing issues on the last set of Cooper tires, this is the tightest running 250k mile car we’ve ever had. I have no doubt it will easily blow past 300K and we’re probably looking at a 500K mile truck.

Great to hear your truck is running well. I’ve got less than half that amount.
Do you have a list of stuff you’ve done and fluids used? Doesn’t need to be detailed, I’m just curious.

 

[CutthroatSlam]

Great to hear your truck is running well. I’ve got less than half that amount.
Do you have a list of stuff you’ve done and fluids used? Doesn’t need to be detailed, I’m just curious.

Engine oil: 0w20 synthetics. Mobil 1, Pennzoil, Quaker State, Rotella Gas Truck. Changed at 10K miles.

Differentials: Mobil 1 75w90 LS. Changed at 70K, 125K, 200k.

Transfer: Mobil Delvac 75w90. Same change interval above.

Transmission: Valvoline Synthetic ATF (full flush and filter change). Changed at 125K.

Brake: Napa Dot 4

Pads: Raybestos Advanced Technology

Rotors: AC Delco or raybestos advanced technology slotted.

Changed the spark plugs at 125K and the SERP belt at 200K. Getting ready to do the differentials, transfer and transmission flush at 250K. This truck runs very tight and shows no sign of issues. Biggest problem has been tire balancing and road force balancing is mandatory.

 

[71gs3504sp]

Engine oil: 0w20 synthetics. Mobil 1, Pennzoil, Quaker State, Rotella Gas Truck. Changed at 10K miles.

Differentials: Mobil 1 75w90 LS. Changed at 70K, 125K, 200k.

Transfer: Mobil Delvac 75w90. Same change interval above.

Transmission: Valvoline Synthetic ATF (full flush and filter change). Changed at 125K.

Brake: Napa Dot 4

Pads: Raybestos Advanced Technology

Rotors: AC Delco or raybestos advanced technology slotted.

Changed the spark plugs at 125K and the SERP belt at 200K. Getting ready to do the differentials, transfer and transmission flush at 250K. This truck runs very tight and shows no sign of issues. Biggest problem has been tire balancing and road force balancing is mandatory.

Do not use 75w90 in the transfer case only use Toyota's 75w special transfer case oil! There are no equivalent oil replacement.

 

[TEujunga]

Do not use 75w90 in the transfer case only use Toyota's 75w special transfer case oil! There are no equivalent oil replacement.

Wow, that's some really profound and original advice right there. Maybe you should start a new thread on the topic. I'm sure it's never been discussed before.

 

[DougR]

Do not use 75w90 in the transfer case only use Toyota's 75w special transfer case oil! There are no equivalent oil replacement.

A Toyota Master Diagnostic Technician talks about differential and transfer case oil here How to maintain your Toyota Part 4 Differential fluid, Wipers and AC service - YouTube ... He recommends the expensive stuff for 2005-2009 Tacoma limited slip differentials at time 2:10, everything else gets bulk gear oil, time 3:15 to 5:10.

Personally, I use a high quality brand name full synthetic.

 

[ElectroBoy]

A Toyota Master Diagnostic Technician talks about differential and transfer case oil here How to maintain your Toyota Part 4 Differential fluid, Wipers and AC service - YouTube ... He recommends the expensive stuff for 2005-2009 Tacoma limited slip differentials at time 2:10, everything else gets bulk gear oil, time 3:15 to 5:10.

Personally, I use a high quality brand name full synthetic.

That’s a good video, thanks.
But did I miss something about the transfer case oil? He talks about gear oil and shows the can. Yeah, I agree that there’s no need for Toyota branded oil for your diffs, there’s lots of good synthetic gear oils on the market. But the big “controversy” is about the special Toyota 75 W transfer case oil. Different fluid from what he showed.

 

[DougR]

But did I miss something about the transfer case oil?

At time 0:40 the topic is introduced as differential AND transfer case fluids in both text and words.

In one of the comments, El Ca wrote, "75w 90w oil good for both TC and both differentials on a GX460. Thank you will wait on response to buy." The Car Care Nut replied, "Yes it’s good. We’ve used that on various cars and has no issues."

In another comment, Vaughn Avesian wrote, "Thank you for a great informative video. Any recommendation of when to change transfer case oil for 5 gen 4Runner with part time 4WD. Also do you recommend using Toyota 75w transfer case LF oil. What do they use at the dealership?" The Car Care Nut replied, "Thank you for watching my videos! So I would replace the transfer case fluid in your 4Runner around 30k. Also I would use any good quality 75w90 or equivalent GL5 gear oil. At the dealership we use 75w90 full synthetic from Mobil 1 and never had a single issue over the years."

In another comment VJTrey wrote, "Hi! I’m so glad I found this channel! I have a 2018 tacoma and for transfer case the manual calls for genuine toyota transfer case fluid 75W LF. This is a very expensive in dealership like $80 per can. What do you recommend to use as equivalent?Thanks!" The Car Care Nut replied, "We’ve always used 75w90 Mobil one synthetic and never had issues." and "We’ve used GL5 and that’s what most Toyota’s require."

I'm wondering in what year the Toyota Transfer Case oil requirements were written and contracts signed with Mobil to supply it. Perhaps Mobil has an exclusive long term contract to supply the product? Gear oils are constantly improving and at some point, someone comes out with a product that equals or exceeds Toyota's requirements. When that day came, how did Toyota Corporation and their dealerships respond? Evidently, the dealerships have quietly moved on to Mobil bulk gear oils except for 2005-2009 Tacoma limited slip differentials.

Does the transfer case have special coatings or exotic materials? I haven't seen anything that says so. I can see where one may want special gear additives to handle extreme pressures on lubricating films when climbing 20-30% grades. I'll never go there, but once in awhile, my spouse tries to drive forward and hop over a concrete parking curb when she can't see it

 

[71gs3504sp]

Wow, that's some really profound and original advice right there. Maybe you should start a new thread on the topic. I'm sure it's never been discussed before.

Sad comment! Afraid to learn something new?

 

[TEujunga]

Sad comment! Afraid to learn something new?

"Something new?" WTF? The whole point of my post is that this topic has been hashed to death already a zillion times and is becoming more than tiresome. Here's a small sampling:

Transfer Case Fluid

Transfer and differential Oil change - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum

transfer case fluid

Transfer case lube.

Maybe do a search and inform yourself before making weak snarky "sad" comments of your own. :shrug:

 

[CutthroatSlam]

FOTE: Fear Of The Equivalent....or better.

 

[1000MPH]

So I posted this recently about the new transfer case (VF2CM)...

There’s a discussion on Tacoma World similar to ours about the T/C fluid. Some people on there reported shifting issues using alternative fluids. I’d take that with a grain of salt but thought I’d report it.

Read this thread...
‘16-newer Transfer Cases | Tacoma World

Most interesting is a few pages of PDFs about Toyota’s push to developing thinner fluids to improve efficiency.
Posted here... ‘16-newer Transfer Cases

 

[71gs3504sp]

"Something new?" WTF? The whole point of my post is that this topic has been hashed to death already a zillion times and is becoming more than tiresome. Here's a small sampling:

Did you EVER think there are some new comers who just bought there first 4Runner and like to just ask a questions without being harassed. We are all hear to learn what is good, bad or ugly for our 4Runners that is it! Unlike many who have owned one for a LONG time.

 

[CutthroatSlam]

I added a 3/8” ball valve and tested my oil pump today with 2 qts of Delvac 75w-90. First I pumped the tank 30 times then another 10 halfway through. Took a little over 3 mins to transfer the oil back into its container. Only a few oz get leftover in the tank. I plan to use this pump only for gear oil so I left it in there. This thing gonna work great for the diffs and transfer case.
Next I’m gonna figure out how to turn one into a power brake bleeder.

Thanks so much for this suggestion. I bought the sprayer at HD and ordered the ball valve online (local HD, ACE did not have). Also ordered the crush washer kit (confess to reusing, but with no adverse results). Looking forward to using this method.

 

[1000MPH]

Got no problems with Toyota fluid die-hards. I will use them when availability, price, and evidence compels me to.
Newbies can read the frickin threads and make their own decisions.

Evidence: There’s no evidence that transfer cases are failing unless the specific Toyota fluid is used.
A vast majority of dealers do not stock or use this fluid when performing service.

Availability: most dealers don’t stock it, many won’t even order it.

Price: :crazy:

 

[patkelly4370]

Recently drained and and refilled both differentials and the transfer case with Mobil 1 synthetic 75w-90.
No leaks, no strange noises, they continue to differentiate and transfer.

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