Transfer case lube.

[vicpick58]

At the risk of starting another oil thread, I would really like a definitive answer as to what lubricant to replace the "genuine Toyota transfer case lube 75w LF" with.

After two different dealers parts department not having any genuine Toyota transfer case lube 75w LF, and reading other threads that seem to indicate that people are using differential lube in the t/c, I would really like to know the truth about Toyota transfer cases.

I have owned many 4x4 vehicles over the years, GM, Dodge and Jeeps. Only the Jeeps used anything other than ATF in the transfer case, and the Jeeps used a special "NV247" fluid that was only available at the dealer.

Before I drain the t/c and refill it with 75w90 like seems to be what you Toyota guys are doing, I would really like to know if that is really the only choice.

I just does not seem right to me that the owners manual would specify 75w LF lubricant if it cannot be obtained somewhere.

 

[Mick1]

Looks like some ppl use the amsoil 75 w 90.

There was one report I recall of worse fuel economy after putting this in the transfer case. This thread I believe: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/78892-transfer-differential-oil-change-2.html

I changed my diffs at around 20K, but left the transfer case.

I just found this link to the genuine fluid for $55, which is still high, but way better than the $75 I had seen previously.

08885-81080 - OEM Toyota TRANSFER GEAR OIL LF

 

[vicpick58]

Looks like some ppl use the amsoil 75 w 90.

There was one report I recall of worse fuel economy after putting this in the transfer case. This thread I believe: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/78892-transfer-differential-oil-change-2.html

I changed my diffs at around 20K, but left the transfer case.

I just found this link to the genuine fluid for $55, which is still high, but way better than the $75 I had seen previously.

08885-81080 - OEM Toyota TRANSFER GEAR OIL LF

Thank you Mick1, that is exactly the information that I have been looking for.
So the product, part number 08885-81080 is what I (and everyone else) should be using every time we service the transfer case.

Seems kind of expensive for something that needs to be done on a regular basis, but I guess that is just the price of owning a Toyota.

I think I will wait until 30k to do the transfer case, but will go ahead and do my diffs when I get to 20k in the next week or two since I already have the products for that.

And save up the $110 plus, for the transfer case lube.

 

[Mick1]

Doh, I'm already at 30K miles. I guess I should start thinking about changing the transfer case. However, because I can be lazy and I have those big heavy budbuilt skid plates in the way, I don't really want to....

I was just wondering if the guy that reported the mpg drop had a full time AWD limited, or a part time 4x4. I looked and his sig and it said SR5, so part time 4x4. So now I am confused.

I wonder why the transfer case fluid change would affect mpg if it was run in rear wheel only most of the time? Hmmm, it must be the transfer case moves some even in 2wd?? I had a couple beers tonight and can't recall the does the way the power is transmitted from engine/trans to drive wheels. Oh well. :roadkill:

 

[Blacksunshyne]

I drained and re-filled mine with 75w90 Mobile1 full synthetic @ 40K miles Fluid looked normal, no signs of unusual wear or breakdown. I did not send it off for testing, I didn't see the real need in doing so.

I have a few thousand miles in on this set up, no change in fuel economy or anything else for that matter.

 

[vicpick58]

Looks like some ppl use the amsoil 75 w 90.

There was one report I recall of worse fuel economy after putting this in the transfer case. This thread I believe: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/78892-transfer-differential-oil-change-2.html

I changed my diffs at around 20K, but left the transfer case.

I just found this link to the genuine fluid for $55, which is still high, but way better than the $75 I had seen previously.

08885-81080 - OEM Toyota TRANSFER GEAR OIL LF

OK I went ahead and ordered this product over the weekend, and here it is Thursday and it arrived already. I have to thank Mick1 again for the link and also say that this vendor is good.

I paid $133.35 with tax and shipping for two one liter cans. Kind of pricey but at least I now know that I have the correct lubricant for the transfer case.

Odd that it comes in old fashion metal oil cans like we used to get motor oil in back in the day. I'll have to see if I still have a spout laying around somewhere, or else just use a church key to open them. LOL

 

[chmura]

OK I went ahead and ordered this product over the weekend, and here it is Thursday and it arrived already. I have to thank Mick1 again for the link and also say that this vendor is good.

I paid $133.35 with tax and shipping for two one liter cans. Kind of pricey but at least I now know that I have the correct lubricant for the transfer case.

Odd that it comes in old fashion metal oil cans like we used to get motor oil in back in the day. I'll have to see if I still have a spout laying around somewhere, or else just use a church key to open them. LOL

Awesome! I will be ordering this as well!

I used to have a 4x4 Tacoma and I put in amsoil oil in the transfer case and mobil 1 in the diffs. When I sold it a Toyota master tech that teaches mechanical courses for Toyota techs bought my truck. I told him I put amsoil in the transfer case and he said oem fluid is better and he was going to put oem fluid back in the tranny too.

So from now one I'm going to stick with oem gear oil. Since he is very knowledgable and knows what he is talking about.

Whats the part number for that oil?

 

[vicpick58]

Awesome! I will be ordering this as well!



Whats the part number for that oil?

Chmura, I tryed to show it in the photo, it is 08885-81080. The link in the previous post by Mick1 has the part number and the vendor that I ordered it from.

 

[dsfra]

You might want to take a look at this thread:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/maintenance/124397-toyota-fluids-vs-aftermarket-brand-fluids.html

I'm in the final stages of beating my head against the wall regarding xfer case oil.

 

[mikec767]

Found a 75W

Yes 2012 and newer all require a 75w @ $75 a liter. Liquid gold. I called all the major oil manufacturers and they all tell me to use Toyota 75w. I finally found a 75w for $15. Full Synthetic. Check out Amazon - RAVENOL J1C1003 SAE 75W Manual Transmission Fluid - MTF-3 Full Synthetic

 

[ChillinZX]

I just wanted to chime in here because I have a failed transfer case and I know why. 2 years ago I had the "4X4 Service" done, which was both diffs and the transfer case. I had my dealership put in the generic 80-90 in all 3. 2 weeks ago I notice a howling noise and they said it was coming from the transfer case. It's a 2012 4Runner Limited so it's full time 4wd, has 77k miles on it and I bought it certified used so it is covered under warranty until 100k. They tore it down and found the bearings were worn down and 2 of the outer races were starting to spin in the case. I realize now after reading the fluid specifications it requires it cannot take GL-5 80-90, it needs the synthetic 75w Toyota calls for. Hopefully you guys read this and put the right stuff in or your going to be in trouble down the road after a flush.

 

[(none)]

I just wanted to chime in here because I have a failed transfer case and I know why. 2 years ago I had the "4X4 Service" done, which was both diffs and the transfer case. I had my dealership put in the generic 80-90 in all 3. 2 weeks ago I notice a howling noise and they said it was coming from the transfer case. It's a 2012 4Runner Limited so it's full time 4wd, has 77k miles on it and I bought it certified used so it is covered under warranty until 100k. They tore it down and found the bearings were worn down and 2 of the outer races were starting to spin in the case. I realize now after reading the fluid specifications it requires it cannot take GL-5 80-90, it needs the synthetic 75w Toyota calls for. Hopefully you guys read this and put the right stuff in or your going to be in trouble down the road after a flush.

Odd. Are the bushings brass? GL5 doesn't play well with brass, usually why most manual transmissions recommend GL4.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I just wanted to chime in here because I have a failed transfer case and I know why. 2 years ago I had the "4X4 Service" done, which was both diffs and the transfer case. I had my dealership put in the generic 80-90 in all 3. 2 weeks ago I notice a howling noise and they said it was coming from the transfer case. It's a 2012 4Runner Limited so it's full time 4wd, has 77k miles on it and I bought it certified used so it is covered under warranty until 100k. They tore it down and found the bearings were worn down and 2 of the outer races were starting to spin in the case. I realize now after reading the fluid specifications it requires it cannot take GL-5 80-90, it needs the synthetic 75w Toyota calls for. Hopefully you guys read this and put the right stuff in or your going to be in trouble down the road after a flush.

I doubt the fluid was the cause in that case. Apparently the dealer I work for currently has been using a "standard" practice of 75W-90 in the front diffs and 80w-90 in the transfer and rear diffs. They haven't seen any issues related to the use of the fluid (I believe all of ours are synthetic).

More than likely the previous owner was either erroneously using the 4WD system (like maybe using CDL when they shouldn't have been) and/or there was a defect.

 

[ben550]

Yes 2012 and newer all require a 75w @ $75 a liter. Liquid gold. I called all the major oil manufacturers and they all tell me to use Toyota 75w. I finally found a 75w for $15. Full Synthetic. Check out Amazon - RAVENOL J1C1003 SAE 75W Manual Transmission Fluid - MTF-3 Full Synthetic

I just wanted to chime in here because I have a failed transfer case and I know why. 2 years ago I had the "4X4 Service" done, which was both diffs and the transfer case. I had my dealership put in the generic 80-90 in all 3. 2 weeks ago I notice a howling noise and they said it was coming from the transfer case. It's a 2012 4Runner Limited so it's full time 4wd, has 77k miles on it and I bought it certified used so it is covered under warranty until 100k. They tore it down and found the bearings were worn down and 2 of the outer races were starting to spin in the case. I realize now after reading the fluid specifications it requires it cannot take GL-5 80-90, it needs the synthetic 75w Toyota calls for. Hopefully you guys read this and put the right stuff in or your going to be in trouble down the road after a flush.

I doubt the fluid was the cause in that case. Apparently the dealer I work for currently has been using a "standard" practice of 75W-90 in the front diffs and 80w-90 in the transfer and rear diffs. They haven't seen any issues related to the use of the fluid (I believe all of ours are synthetic).

More than likely the previous owner was either erroneously using the 4WD system (like maybe using CDL when they shouldn't have been) and/or there was a defect.

I just put in the Ravenol 75W full synthetic MT-3 oil. Only thing is the Toyota part number it lists is the 08885-81081 NOT the 08885-81080... the only information I can pull up on the 08885-81081 is in Russian...

I don't see where the Ravenol is listed as a GL-4 or GL-5 oil.. not sure if that makes a difference in this application.

Anyone see a problem running the Ravenol? Its $14/liter on amazon... Made in Germany. Seems like a good alternative to just running 75W-90 in the transfer case.

 

[AirspeedX]

I use Amsoil Severe Gear 75-90, seems to work great.

 

[coltm4]

I just put in the Ravenol 75W full synthetic MT-3 oil. Only thing is the Toyota part number it lists is the 08885-81081 NOT the 08885-81080... the only information I can pull up on the 08885-81081 is in Russian...

I don't see where the Ravenol is listed as a GL-4 or GL-5 oil.. not sure if that makes a difference in this application.

Anyone see a problem running the Ravenol? Its $14/liter on amazon... Made in Germany. Seems like a good alternative to just running 75W-90 in the transfer case.

If you cross reference the other specs for Ravenol such as the BMW specs, it suggests that it is GL4. I did a lot of online sleuthing and drew the conclusion that it is either GL4 or is unlikely to be GL5. Not a huge help, but I feel comfortable using it as a result.

 

[ben550]

If you cross reference the other specs for Ravenol such as the BMW specs, it suggests that it is GL4. I did a lot of online sleuthing and drew the conclusion that it is either GL4 or is unlikely to be GL5. Not a huge help, but I feel comfortable using it as a result.

Tell you what I may do... I have a Blackstone lab sample kit. I might send in a sample of the new fluid that I have left over. That way, we will know for sure what it is and if it is "ok" to use.

If I do, I'll post the results on this thread so we can all use it with confidence or go with something else.

I am running it in there for now by the way.

 

[renau001]

OK I went ahead and ordered this product over the weekend, and here it is Thursday and it arrived already. I have to thank Mick1 again for the link and also say that this vendor is good.

I paid $133.35 with tax and shipping for two one liter cans. Kind of pricey but at least I now know that I have the correct lubricant for the transfer case.

Odd that it comes in old fashion metal oil cans like we used to get motor oil in back in the day. I'll have to see if I still have a spout laying around somewhere, or else just use a church key to open them. LOL

Did it actually take buying 2, or was one enough to get within spec?

 

[Nastyman]

:iagree:

If you cross reference the other specs for Ravenol such as the BMW specs, it suggests that it is GL4. I did a lot of online sleuthing and drew the conclusion that it is either GL4 or is unlikely to be GL5. Not a huge help, but I feel comfortable using it as a result.

Encountered similar issue trying to find transfer case oil for my 2016 Tacoma (part-time 4WD). After much research I came to a similar conclusion as ColtM4. LF appears to be a Toyota designation, similar to LT (non-LSD differential oil) and LX (for LSD differentials). My research also indicated the LF may have been used in Toyota manual transmissions at some point in the past, which adds credibility to the GL4 assumption.

I drained the transfer case for my Taco when I did the rear/front differentials. Temps were the same for all three. The original LF transfer case fluid was light amber and noticeably thinner than the differential oil. Reminded me of fresh 5W-30 synthetic motor oil. Probably didn't even need to replace it....but there I was.

I ended up refilling the transfer case with Redline MTL 75W-80 GL4 full synthetic, which I already had on hand. Should be safe for brass, provide adequate lubrication, and is at the right viscosity range. The Ravenol was an option I had also considered. Another was Febi-Bilstein Gear Oil SAE 75W GL-4 1-Liter ($12/liter Amazon).

8 months on the Redline so far with no ill effects. I engage 4H a couple times monthly.

 

[WVman]

OK I went ahead and ordered this product over the weekend, and here it is Thursday and it arrived already. I have to thank Mick1 again for the link and also say that this vendor is good.

I paid $133.35 with tax and shipping for two one liter cans. Kind of pricey but at least I now know that I have the correct lubricant for the transfer case.

Odd that it comes in old fashion metal oil cans like we used to get motor oil in back in the day. I'll have to see if I still have a spout laying around somewhere, or else just use a church key to open them. LOL

Thanks.