Toyota 75w or 75w90 in transfer case?

[DougR]

OK here's my story I owned a 2011 Trail and I put Amsoil 75w /90 gear oil in the transfer case at a low mileage all seemed find ....but it seemed a little hard to shift into low...

I have a 2011 Trail and it has Redline MT-LV 70W75 GL-4 in the T/C. It shifts great for about $25 a quart and this fluid is safe for synchros. A lot of people including a Toyota Master Technician, aka Car Care Nut, use GL-5 in the T/C. I elected to spend an extra $12 for the quart of Redline.

 

[Hammer0313]

I ran Amsoil 75w90 GL-5 for 22k+ miles and had no issues; I personally think the TC operates better with a thicker fluid. Then I decided to change to a GL-4 fluid and Redline is what I decided to go with.
Ran the Redline MT-LV 75w GL-4 for two weeks, and then bumped back up to a thicker fluid and am currently running Redline MT-85 75w85 GL-4 that is double the operating thickness over the MT-LV.
The photos attached are the difference in temperature between the two fluids; the MT-85 being much thicker had No affect on temperature. Same miles driven, same air temperature.

 

[<<<<]

It take little over a quart every 60k miles, $1 per 1K is not worst thing to pay for. I stick with original while it still available:

 

[CutthroatSlam]

It take little over a quart every 60k miles, $1 per 1K is not worst thing to pay for. I stick with original while it still available:

Someone’s got to keep the sham going when not even the stealerships are using this stuff.

 

[02SE]

My TRD ORP has the Aisin VF2A transfer case. The SAME transfer case that was in my '97 SR5. The '97 speced 75w90 in GL4 or GL5. I used various 75w90 gear oils in it: Mobil 1, Redline, Amsoil, and Chevron Delo XDM 75w90. It was fine with any of them.

When I change the T-case gear oil in my TRD ORP, it will very likely be one of those. Most likely Redline since I can get a deal on it.

The lighter viscosity oil specs in the current 4Runners are CAFE driven, trying to eeek out another .001 MPG.

 

[DougR]

"Some still choose to use 75W-90 gear oil even though Toyota 75W transfer case fluid is specified. The newer Toyota 75W fluid specification contains a better additive formulation, higher quality additives and advanced fully synthetic base oils when compared to popular entry-level 75W-90 gear oils." quoted from https://www.blauparts.com/blog/what-type-of-transfer-case-fluid-does-my-toyota-4runner-take.html

So, a high quality 75W oil achieves faster lubricating flow and the additives might offer sufficient shear stability in high load heavy heat conditions. How much improvement if any over a high quality 75W-90? I don't know. Perhaps not enough difference to cause a failure.

 

[dedonderosa]

if anyone else is looking for a good transfer case fluid

BG SYNCROSHIFT II
75W80 GL4

 

[02SE]

if anyone else is looking for a good transfer case fluid

BG SYNCROSHIFT II
75W80 GL4

What makes it good?

 

[dedonderosa]

my bg rep told me that a bunch of his toyota dealers use this in all their newer vehicles transfer cases.
bp products are top quality and have been around for a long time

 

[02SE]

my bg rep told me that a bunch of his toyota dealers use this in all their newer vehicles transfer cases.
bp products are top quality and have been around for a long time

I know BG has been around a long time. Their products were common when I was a Toyota Master Tech in the 90's.

I guess my question is why this oil? Sure it should be ok, but why that specific oil? BG reps will always say the stuff they peddle is the best. That doesn't mean it is.

 

[Hammer0313]

Toyota Master Tech gives his opinion on the subject.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3le9ZT5HUlk&feature=youtu.be

 

[CutthroatSlam]

Toyota Master Tech gives his opinion on the subject.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3le9ZT5HUlk&feature=youtu.be

Not sure I’ve seen a 4Runner with a manual transmission.

For what Amsoil charges you’d think it would come in collector bottles.

 

[<<<<]

Someone’s got to keep the sham going when not even the stealerships are using this stuff.

"Originality is the best form of rebellion" Mike Sasso

 

[jahdai42]

just make sure that you use GL4 not GL5. You will mess up your TC. I use the redline.

 

[02SE]

just make sure that you use GL4 not GL5. You will mess up your TC. I use the redline.

You have the Aisin VF2A Transfer case. Nothing has changed in it's construction since it's inception. It was speced for 75w90 in GL4 OR GL5, for years. The newer 75W spec is just a CAFE driven spec to eeek out very slightly better MPG.

 

[CutthroatSlam]

just make sure that you use GL4 not GL5. You will mess up your TC. I use the redline.

I forget, do the differentials need “LS”, or can they use Delvac?

 

[02SE]

Not sure I’ve seen a 4Runner with a manual transmission.

For what Amsoil charges you’d think it would come in collector bottles.

My '97 had the Aisin R150F 5-speed manual transmission.

 

[02SE]

I forget, do the differentials need “LS”, or can they use Delvac?

They don't need an "LS" (Limited Slip) friction modifier. But it won't cause any problems either if you do use a gear oil with friction modifier. Delvac is also fine to use.