t-case/diff oil recommendations?

A

amalik

Senior Member
Plan to do my own service of t-case and front/rear diff fluids soon. I've always had it done at a mechanic so don't know what fluids they used..

I'm familiar with tranny fluid and engine oil, but completely clueless on what to put in my 3rd gen for t-case and diff's. Advice please? Non-synthetic also.
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
I just did mine and used 75w-90 for the front and transfer case and 80w-90 for the rear, but I'm in a hot climate. Owners manual calls for 75w-90 in front and transfer, and 90w in rear if temps are over 32F, 75w-90 if climate gets below freezing (it never gets below freezing here)... I couldn't find straight 90w GL5 gear oil so I used the 80w-90. You're in a colder climate so just use all 75w-90 and make sure it's GL-5 rated
 
I'm familiar with tranny fluid and engine oil, but completely clueless on what to put in my 3rd gen for t-case and diff's. Advice please? Non-synthetic also.

Why Non-Synthetic?
 
215k miles so far with no synthetic... probably not good to switch-over now.

3rzrunner said:
I'm familiar with tranny fluid and engine oil, but completely clueless on what to put in my 3rd gen for t-case and diff's. Advice please? Non-synthetic also.

Why Non-Synthetic?
Click to expand...
 
Another for Amsoil Severe Gear here.
But ANY 100% synthetic will be better than any standard petroleum oil, lube.

And there is no problem switching over to synthetic even after 500,000 miles in a well maintained vehicle.
 
Last edited:
i've read things on this very forum like if you've had normal oil in the differential for the life of the vehicle and already on 100/200k miles like me... switching to synthetic in the rear can help cause rear axle seal leaks which is a PITA fix, etc.

Also BlazeRunner, it's pretty warm in CO, about 300 days of sunshine a year. The winters though, the weather definitely can get below 0.
 
Amsoil is offering 25% off right now if you give your address, email and phone#... I am going to go with Severe Gear for my '01 SR5 with 169k, any objections? Current fluid is 2 years old and very pretty still. Please share, as this stuff IS expensive...
 
Last edited:
Well haven't had any leaks yet I just recently switched all fluids to AMSOIL
(Engine Sig. Series 5-30), (Manual Trans Severe Gear), (Rad Amsoil Coolant),
(Diffs Severe Gear) and have almost 300 000 kms on truck with all original seals so.......... I don't think it hurts the seals
 
I didn't wanna spend arm and a leg on fluids, so I bought 3 quarts super tech brand synthetic blend 75w-90 for front and transfer and Valvoline heavy duty 80w-90 for the rear diff. I have noticed my truck drives a lot smoother and quieter now at all speeds, I went off road today and engaged the locker and it engages really smooth and quiet now with no hesitation like before. I'm happy with the cheaper fluids, I just make sure they meet all requirements.
 
amalik said:
i've read things on this very forum like if you've had normal oil in the differential for the life of the vehicle and already on 100/200k miles like me... switching to synthetic in the rear can help cause rear axle seal leaks which is a PITA fix, etc.
Click to expand...

I would rate the chance of that happening as highly unlikely.
Maybe if you had the very same lube in there for 200K and finally changed it because you smelled smoke. Then the old petroleum is what caused the leak along with no maintenance.
I think rear dif can leak also if the breather gets plugged and its rather common to have seal leaks well within 200K especially if you 4 wheel a lot. So if a leak shows up at 200K then consider it as time to change the seals.

In any case its not really the synthetic "causing" the leak, the synthetic could theoretically "expose" the bad seal that was already there.

I bought my 4runner with I think it was 158xxx miles on it and within a 1000 miles changed all the fluids and lubes and not a single drop has leaked anywhere, have done this on every vehicle I have ever owned since 1977 and never a single leak.
My 4Runner was meticulously maintained by the previous owner which is really the key.

If the previous owner/s rode it hard and put it away wet then you may develop a leak.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

No members online now.
Total: 302 (members: 0, guests: 302)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,309
Messages
3,554,068
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top