Front & Rear Differential Oil

[Dalko43]

I'm about to do a front and rear differential oil change for my 2011 4runner Trail. I've only used the locking diff a few times, but this being a used car, I'm anxious to get some fresh fluids in there.

The manual states that 75W-85 GL-5 Toyota brand, or equivalent, is to be used. However that type and viscosity seems to be very rare in my area of NY (not even the local Toyota dealership sells it, at least not in small quantities for DIY customers). And of course, the online price for that oil is ridiculous (~$29 a liter, and I need about 4L between the front and rear diff's).

I've heard that redline oil sells that type and viscosity for a somewhat more reasonable price. Anyone have feedback on using their oil?

Has anyone gone a different route and used a different oil type and viscosity all-together. I had read gossip on a Tacoma forum that some owners preferred to use full synthetic 75w90 GL5 which is not only easier to find and cheaper, but supposedly provides better long-term lubrication.

Anyone have experience with that type of oil?

 

[flyinhawaiian01]

Redline oils are great and will work just fine in your diffs. I use Royal Purple's MaxGear 75w90 in many diffs over the years, no issues whatsoever. 75w90 is so close to the 85 weight that it will not be a problem.

 

[Antman]

Yup. I always use Syn. 75W90 Mobil1. Works fine for me, and I've changed mine 3 times so far.

 

[catrains]

go to the Amsoil web site and look up your vehicle for fluid spec's. you will see that they list 75-90wt gear oil as a product to use even though they have listed the toyota 75-85 wt spec listed.

using synthetic gear oil should not cause any problems . better flow when cold less wear issues longer life.

 

[Dalko43]

Thanks for the quick responses!

I've also realized that I can't seem to find a recommended interval for oil changes in normal working conditions, but for extreme operating conditions, I see Toyota recommends somewhere between 45k-55k.

Like I said, my locking diff has only been used a handful of times, but my odometer is at around 47k, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to preemptively tackle that maintenance issue.

What intervals have people on here been using for the front and rear diffs, and the transfer case (for part-time 4wd)?

 

[Engineer]

Another vote for Royal Purple's MaxGear 75w90 (only because I can get it much cheaper then retail....not a fanboy)

 

[catrains]

AMSOIL Online Product Application Guide..

 

[Antman]

Thanks for the quick responses!

I've also realized that I can't seem to find a recommended interval for oil changes in normal working conditions, but for extreme operating conditions, I see Toyota recommends somewhere between 45k-55k.

Like I said, my locking diff has only been used a handful of times, but my odometer is at around 47k, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to preemptively tackle that maintenance issue.

What intervals have people on here been using for the front and rear diffs, and the transfer case (for part-time 4wd)?

I change mine every October after my offroad/camping trip. My diff's see deep mud, water and just plain yucky muck, so better safe than sorry. I also tow a lot.

 

[Dalko43]

I change mine every October after my offroad/camping trip. My diff's see deep mud, water and just plain yucky muck, so better safe than sorry. I also tow a lot.

If I'm not mistaken you did a writeup on your rear diff breather mod, right? So even with the raised breather, you still do gear oil changes that often?

 

[Antman]

If I'm not mistaken you did a writeup on your rear diff breather mod, right? So even with the raised breather, you still do gear oil changes that often?

Yup. It always comes out clear with the sludge trapped on the magnetic drain plug but ya never know...Plus, it gives me a chance to inspect everything under the truck after wheeling.

 

[Muzzle of Bees]

I'm about to do a front and rear differential oil change for my 2011 4runner Trail. I've only used the locking diff a few times, but this being a used car, I'm anxious to get some fresh fluids in there.

The manual states that 75W-85 GL-5 Toyota brand, or equivalent, is to be used. However that type and viscosity seems to be very rare in my area of NY (not even the local Toyota dealership sells it, at least not in small quantities for DIY customers). And of course, the online price for that oil is ridiculous (~$29 a liter, and I need about 4L between the front and rear diff's).

I've heard that redline oil sells that type and viscosity for a somewhat more reasonable price. Anyone have feedback on using their oil?

Has anyone gone a different route and used a different oil type and viscosity all-together. I had read gossip on a Tacoma forum that some owners preferred to use full synthetic 75w90 GL5 which is not only easier to find and cheaper, but supposedly provides better long-term lubrication.

Anyone have experience with that type of oil?

I would stick with the factory recommended viscosity. Once the temp hits about 40F or below the thicker oil will make the transmission shift harder until the oil gets warm.

I used the 75w90 this on a recommendation from a store for one of my manual transmissions on one of my old 4x4 trucks. That thing shifted too hard after I swapped the fluid.I called the company and complained that their salesperson said it will work fine. They refunded my money.

 

[Antman]

I would stick with the factory recommended viscosity. Once the temp hits about 40F or below the thicker oil will make the transmission shift harder until the oil gets warm.

I used the 75w90 this on a recommendation from a store for one of my manual transmissions on one of my old 4x4 trucks. That thing shifted too hard after I swapped the fluid.I called the company and complained that their salesperson said it will work fine. They refunded my money.

WTH are you talking about?

This has nothing to do with the transmission. Nothing.

 

[2010riddle]

I changed front and rear diffs over to Redline 75W90 @ 30k and will change again when I hit 90k. From what I read, it seemed that opinion was the lighter weight might have been in the interest of mileage more than protection, and under above average heavy load/use the 85 might shear a bit lower than ideal. When I first changed it I thought I could feel a very, very slight increase in rolling resistance, but it might have been placebo.
op2: = http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...gear-oil-would-safe-use-my-transfer-case.html

 

[plefasu]

I am also going to change these out soon. Can the same oil be used for the transfer case?

 

[BLACK-FL4RUNNER]

Yes. I used 75w90 Mobil1 in the front diff, rear diff, and transfer case.
It's fine.

 

[Colorado S14]

Royal Purple is crap, go Redline or Amsoil.

 

[HerT4R]

Yup. I always use Syn. 75W90 Mobil1. Works fine for me, and I've changed mine 3 times so far.

Yes. I used 75w90 Mobil1 in the front diff, rear diff, and transfer case.
It's fine.

another vote for the 75w90 Mobil1. recently did my rear diff and t case with this stuff. cant beat it. now i just gotta take the time to do the front diff... lol

 

[catrains]

I am also going to change these out soon. Can the same oil be used for the transfer case?

Use Toyota genuine LF type gear oil. for transfer case . amsoil has no substitute.

diff viscosity does effect MPG when cold . synthetic oil it is very small however if you use the 5wt higher. like .00039MPG less.

on some vehicles the diff oil is increased from 75-90 wt to 75-140 wt . this is for 100 deg f and higher operating temps. also heavy tow/hauling . the diff does get hot so you do need a higher viscosity. if in below zero temps using the higher viscosity this would cause a much longer warm up . not the 5 wt but using the much higher viscosity like 75-110 wt which some use in Texas on their T4R's..

changing the diff oil is up to how you use it . average driving with some light tows I would do it at the 40K Miles. off road I would do it every year.

I think toyota spec's on this are 75-85wt because of the light loads .. using slightly higher appears to not effect other owners operation and will not cause failures but make failures less of an issue.

 

[Lester Lugnut]

Dealers get upwards of $30 a qt. for the OEM gear oil. I'm guessing that's what mine came with.

Pavement princess 4 Runner. It might be awhile before I drain that stuff out and replace with something else.

 

[ThorInc]

Redline and Amsoil are excellent products. My personal preference would be Amsoil and I run it in everything oil.

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