Redline 75w85 GL5 Gear Oil : Would this be safe for use in my transfer case????

[T4RT]

I need to change my Diffs and my Transfer Case soon but I have run into a question concerning the possible use of Redline 75w85 GL5 in my transfer case.

Per the Redline website, the Redline 75W85 GL-5 Gear Oil meets the Toyota weight requirements exactly and it exceeds all API GL-5 specifications.

What I don't see is a transfer case oil recommendation on Redline's site. There is no product displayed at all when I use the application guide.

I dont see one on AmsOil's website either.

AMSOIL Online Product Application Guide

Transfer Case,VF4BM......GLS [2]
No AMSOIL Product Recommendation
Transfer Case,VF2A......GLS [2]
No AMSOIL Product Recommendation

I used the Google Custom Search within the forum and I see a few of you here use Mobile 1 75W90 gear oil in their front, rear, and transfer cases. Others have used the Toyota Transfer Gear Oil 75W part number 08885-81080 with the super expensive price tag.

Seeing that others have used 75w90 gear oil all around, would I be taking a risk putting Redline 75W85 GL-5 Gear Oil in my transfer case as well?


If I shouldn't use the Redline 75W85 GL-5 Gear Oil in my transfer case should I stick with the Factory 75W part number 08885-81080? Or should I just stick with a quality 75W90 Gear Oil from Redline/AmsOil/Royal Purple/M1 and just call it a day?

Thanks!

T4RT

 

[flyinhawaiian01]

I highly doubt 5 weight difference will be a problem, if anything, maybe just an ever-so-slight bit more noise when in 4wd from the gearset, although I doubt that very much too.

Try it out, see how it works for a week or so. You won't hurt anything, so long as you fill it up to the proper level. I bet you could probably run 30 weight in there without any ill effects, unless you're beating the daylights outta your 4 runner in 4 low, on trails all day, every day!

 

[Top Shelf Synthetics]

Hi T4RT,

You shouldn't see any issues with a 75W-90 gear oil all around. 90 vs. 85 offers a bit more protection as temps rise. If your interested in Amsoil, let me know, I can help you out. Sale or no sale, I would be happy to answer any questions you have to provide the best protection for your vehicle.

Link below is from another T4R member I helped out.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/top-shelf-synthetics/200981-great-buying-you.html#post2084000

 

[1000MPH]

Call it a day. These things don't break. I'd be willing to bet most dealers use whatever is the cheapest bulk gear oil that their petroleum rep carries.
My dealer wouldn't even order the spec'd Toyota product and in the end I'm glad I didn't waste the money.
All of the ones you mentioned will be fine. I went with Delvac from Zoro tools for t/c and f/r diffs due to no LS additive.
If I were to get another 4R today I wouldn't bother changing the t/c or front diff for at least 75-90k miles.

 

[T4RT]

I'd be willing to bet most dealers use whatever is the cheapest bulk gear oil that their petroleum rep carries.
My dealer wouldn't even order the spec'd Toyota product and in the end I'm glad I didn't waste the money.
All of the ones you mentioned will be fine. I went with Delvac from Zoro tools for t/c and f/r diffs due to no LS additive.
If I were to get another 4R today I wouldn't bother changing the t/c or front diff for at least 75-90k miles.

[MENTION=53327]1000MPH[/MENTION] - It's funny that you say you would be willing to bet most dealers use whatever is the cheapest bulk gear oil because I have spoken to one dealer who said they only use 75w90 Gear Oil all around and from my personal experience at another dealership with oil changes, most techs don't even pay attention to the weight, they just go and get whatever is in the bulk container in the corner and pour it in your vehicle! I would say you are correct!

 

[T4RT]

@Top Shelf Synthetics - Would you know what the "LF" in the picture below stands for? Limited Friction maybe?

Thanks!
T4RT

 

[mo_mo]

@Top Shelf Synthetics - Would you know what the "LF" in the picture below stands for? Limited Friction maybe?

Thanks!
T4RT

Low foam?

 

[1000MPH]

Not sure but I found this.

Toyota and Lexus LX, LT, LF, and LL80 - specialized fluids

 

[T4RT]

Not sure but I found this.

Toyota and Lexus LX, LT, LF, and LL80 - specialized fluids

Yeah I saw this earlier today when searching for a substitute. So I wonder what makes my transfer case so special/ different to require this product specifically.

Quote from above link....
"Unique to a few 2010+ SUVs (4Runner, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, GX460, LX570) is the 75w synthetic LF transfer case fluid. Unfortunately the fluid is only made by Toyota for these applications and is considerably more expensive than the 75w85 synthetic LT/LX. "

 

[T4RT]

@Top Shelf Synthetics - Would you know what the "LF" in the picture below stands for? Limited Friction maybe?

Thanks!
T4RT

And does the 75W mean this is just a 75 Monoweight sytle gear oil?

If so, Redline 75W85 GL-5 Gear Oil meets the following per their website:
* Satisfies the gear oil viscosity requirements of SAE 75W80, 75W, 80W, and 85W, as well as SAE 30 and SAE 10W30 motor oil
* Recommended for API GL-5, GL-6, MT-1, MIL-L2105E, and SAE J2360

 

[intense1776]

OP- In short, that oil will be slightly thinner at operating temperatures than what the factory calls for, but it will be fine for you to use. There is not enough difference here to matter. I do not believe that it will have much, if any, positive impact on your performance. If you want to drop the cash, its your money.

Here is a thread directly on point, answered by oil experts on a FANTASTIC website dedicated to oil technology.

Any Difference Between 75w-90 and 75w-85? | ATF, Differential, Trans, Brakes, P/S | Bob Is The Oil Guy

 

[Top Shelf Synthetics]

@Top Shelf Synthetics - Would you know what the "LF" in the picture below stands for? Limited Friction maybe?

Thanks!
T4RT

In all honesty, I'm not sure what the LF stands for. Could just be a designation Toyota assigns to differentiate between different formulas. My guess (if it does have meaning) would be Low Friction.

yes, the 75W is a monograde oil, whereas 75W-85/90 is a multigrade. Here is a good explanation:

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) established a viscosity grading system for gear and Engine oils.

According to the SAE viscosity grading system all oils are divided into two classes: monograde and multigrade:


Monograde gear oils


Monograde gear oils are designated by one number (70, 90, 140, 250, etc.). The number indicates a level of the oil viscosity at a particular temperature. The higher the grade number, the higher the oil viscosity.
Viscosity of gear oils designated with a number only without the letter “W” (SAE 80, SAE 90, SAE 140 etc.) was specified at the temperature 212°F (100°C). These gear oils are suitable for use at high ambient temperatures.
Viscosity of gear oils designated with a number followed by the letter “W” (SAE 70W, SAE 75W, SAE 80W etc.) was specified at the temperature 0°F (-18°C). The letter “W” means winter. These grades are used at low ambient temperatures.


Multigrade gear oils


Viscosity of gear oils may be stabilized by polymeric additives (viscosity index improvers). Viscosity of such gear oils is specified at both high and low temperature. These oils are called multigrades and they are designated by two numbers and the letter “W” (SAE 75W-90, SAE 80W-90, SAE 85W-140 etc.). The first number of the designation specify the oil viscosity at cold temperature, the second number specifies the oil viscosity at high temperature.
For example: SAE 85W-140 oil has a low temperature viscosity similar to that of SAE 85W, but it has a high temperature viscosity similar to that of SAE 140.
Multigrade gear oils are used in a wide temperature range.

And a little more reading if you interested, comparison of different gear oils out there:
http://www.lastgreatroadtrip.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/gear-oil-comparison.pdf

Let me know if your interested in Amsoil, T4R discount and price quotes are always free!

 

[SirWilliamGoes]

Reviving an old thread here I know. in my search for what the LF and LT distinctions are and what they are for I have found that the absolute most common practice among dealers I contacted, 3 in different states SC & TN, to put the 75w85 GL-5 from Toyota in both the Diffs and Transfer Case. They all seem to say this is fine and wont bother anything. I contacted Toyota Corp and found that they circle back to what ever the dealer says because they are the front line. I found that Redline is one of the only companies that make the proper weight and they make good products from what I have researched so I contacted the tech there who researched and found that the transfer case is a gl4 style lubricant and not a gl5 something to do with the limited slip additives from what I gathered. None the less for the transfer case they recommend MT-LV 70W/75W which apparently is a new product. Now Im a bit confused as this is not just standard 75w like called for in the book. Does the 70w/75w mean it works for both??

 

[YelloLab]

This may be of interest for an alternative transfer case oil - Ravenol 75W. Here is a comparison to the original Toyota 75W and Ravenol 75W

Blackstone Laboratories comparison

Ravenol 75W is $16.00 on Amazon

Also, I believe LF stands for low foam.

 

[Olddudesrule]

I have to say, after many years, on many performance car forums (yes, owning and working on those cars too), engine, trans, and diff fluids are one of those areas where I believe owners are both passionate and tend to over think the issue. Lubricants have become far more advanced than them were when I was working on my 1970 Camaro (yes, in the 70's). For even severe duty use, my humble opinion is, if you follow the manufacturer's guidelines for weight and classification, you'll be fine. I don't think in over 40 years of doing my own maintenance I have either, used an OEM lubricant, or had a breakdown caused by a non-OEM lubricant.

Just my .02.....Use whatever makes you feel good. It's your investment.

 

[MTN4RNR]

Reviving an old thread here I know. in my search for what the LF and LT distinctions are and what they are for I have found that the absolute most common practice among dealers I contacted, 3 in different states SC & TN, to put the 75w85 GL-5 from Toyota in both the Diffs and Transfer Case. They all seem to say this is fine and wont bother anything. I contacted Toyota Corp and found that they circle back to what ever the dealer says because they are the front line. I found that Redline is one of the only companies that make the proper weight and they make good products from what I have researched so I contacted the tech there who researched and found that the transfer case is a gl4 style lubricant and not a gl5 something to do with the limited slip additives from what I gathered. None the less for the transfer case they recommend MT-LV 70W/75W which apparently is a new product. Now Im a bit confused as this is not just standard 75w like called for in the book. Does the 70w/75w mean it works for both??

My opinion... Even with a good amount of 4wd use, the transfer case fluid doesn't need to be swapped as often as the differentials. Having swapped out the OEM fluid at 30k (replaced with Redline 75w-90) and again at 58k (replaced with Toyota OEM 75w), I will be changing differential fluids at 30k intervals and the transfer case at 60k intervals. Both times I dropped the t-case fluid, it was light gold in color, exactly like when it was put in. For the long service interval, just go with the OEM and call it a day. No hassle with wondering "if it's right", or "will there be any long term issues?" Not saying that 75w-90 will blow up the t-case, but for a few bucks more you can go with what the manufacturer (Toyota) and the t-case manufacturer (Borg Warner) recommend, which is 75w. Ultimately, everyone has their own opinion on the subject, so I won't say that anyone is wrong. Those are just my thoughts.

 

[TRDpro4R]

So Mobil 1 syn. 75/90 gear oil is fine for front and rear diff? I just did this maintenance last weekend.

I have some left over. Can I use that in the transfer case?

Crazy how many differing opinions there are on this topic

 

[MTN4RNR]

So Mobil 1 syn. 75/90 gear oil is fine for front and rear diff? I just did this maintenance last weekend.

I have some left over. Can I use that in the transfer case?

Crazy how many differing opinions there are on this topic

The controversy is not with the differentials, 75w90 is fine to use in them. The question and confusion comes with the transfer case. Service manual calls for OEM 75w, or equivalent. BUT there is no option that is verified to be an exact equivalent. Ravenol is very close, and the Redline 75w85 SAYS that it is equivalent to SAE 75w. But niether specify their fluid as being a direct replacement for Toyota 75w.

Ultimately, it’s your choice. Lots of people run 75w90 or 75w85 or the Ravenol 75w without any issues. The fear mongering comes in with the scenario that your transfer case blows up, or busts a seal and whether or not Toyota will cover it if there isn’t genuine OEM fluid in the case. It’s all up in the air. Use a close fluid, or one that many people use, and you’ll more than likely be fine. If you feel uncertain, go OEM for a few extra bucks and drive it like you stole it.

 

[pDubs]

^Good post. My big thing is that it isn't "a few extra bucks" It's something like $13 for a quart of 75w-90 and something like $80 for the OEM Toyota 75w.

Also, the transfer case takes 1.1 quarts, so you have to buy 2. I run Mobil 1 75w-90 in mine. I think next time I will do the Redline 75w85 because it says it's compatible with 75w.

Also, I had a hard time finding the OEM 75w, like literally no dealer around had it in stock or even used it when servicing the Toyotas they get in.

 

[MTN4RNR]

^Good post. My big thing is that it isn't "a few extra bucks" It's something like $13 for a quart of 75w-90 and something like $80 for the OEM Toyota 75w.

Also, the transfer case takes 1.1 quarts, so you have to buy 2. I run Mobil 1 75w-90 in mine. I think next time I will do the Redline 75w85 because it says it's compatible with 75w.

Also, I had a hard time finding the OEM 75w, like literally no dealer around had it in stock or even used it when servicing the Toyotas they get in.

You can easily find it online. I bought it for $56ish bucks a can here. Call it $60 bucks every 60k miles. That's stupid cheap when you compare it to the cost of the overall vehicle and all of the other maintenance items required. For a long time I thought it was really expensive, but when you put it into perspective, it's a worthy expense for a direct replacement.