Transfer case lube.

[vicpick58]

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

Its been awhile but if I remember correctly, it took just over one can. Probably one would have been enough, but did not want to drain the old out and not have enough to refill.

 

[coltm4]

OK. Finally found the best evidence yet short of testing. Ravenol MTF-3 75W is rated for Ford WSS-M2C200-D2.


CASTROL SYNTRANS FE 75W
Fully synthetic transmission fluid recommended for most passenger car conventional manual and “dry clutch” transmissions where API GL 4 lubricants are required. It is approved for use where Ford WSS-M2C200-D2 is specified.

Suitable in most manual transmissions where an automatic transmission fluid is recommended. It has much stronger wear performance than virtually all automatic transmission fluids and also retains viscosity in service exceptionally well.

 

[ben550]

I contacted Ravenol inquiring as to the specs for Ravenol 75W as to being GL-4 or GL-5 ... and got this response:
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT] [FONT=&quot]"Many thanks for below inquiry.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Please find TDS attached.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Please note that it does not carry official API Specifications but corresponds to API GL-4.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Mit freundlichen Grüssen / With best regards[/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]i.A. Laszlo Vollmer[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Export Department"[/FONT]

 

[zonzin]

According to the spec sheet on the Royal Purple website the Syncromax is a direct replacement for the Toyota LF.

Think I will go with that.


.

 

[gary419]

I contacted Ravenol inquiring as to the specs for Ravenol 75W as to being GL-4 or GL-5 ... and got this response:
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT] [FONT=&quot]"Many thanks for below inquiry.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Please find TDS attached.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Please note that it does not carry official API Specifications but corresponds to API GL-4.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Mit freundlichen Grüssen / With best regards[/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]i.A. Laszlo Vollmer[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Export Department"[/FONT]

I have been researching this Transfer case Lube question for some time. I like the Ravenol idea and also checking into Royal Purple product. I'm inserting a link to Bob The oil Guy site, one of the bloggers has had the Toyota transfer gear 75w LF analyzed (new sample).

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/4389571/Toyota_Transfer_Gear_Oil_75W_V

Certainly the safe route is to pay out the high price on the Toyota 08885-81080 75w LF lube. Haven't checked out my local Toyota parts dept yet to see if they even stock it.
After reading one failed transfer case story using dealer supplied unknown brand 75w/90 GL5, (dealer repaired under Certified Warranty) I think I will seek out the stock lube and look for a discount.
Thanks for all the good feed back from Tundra,Tacoma,FJ Cruiser and of course 4runner.org websites.

2010 Trail 4Runner 81000. Recently purchased.

 

[gary419]

Ravenol MTF-3

After searching for the Castrol and Royal purple products, I chose to use the Ravenol MTf-3 synthetic 75w from Amazon at $14.90 liter.
I couldn't find Castrol product mentioned above except in EBay/UK and not shipped to USA.
The royal purple had a similar problem with shipping cost being more than oil cost. My best effort on the Toyota lube was about 38 per qt.
The Ravenol looks to be a quality product from Germany and currently available at Amazon.
I also looked at the Toyota part numbers on the Ravenol label and had Google translate the Russian pages to English, it was the same photo of Toyota oil recommended in my owners manual, so I can only guess these are Toyota European part numbers.
Good luck and thanks to above contributors for tips on the alternate brands.
2010 Gen 5

 

[1000MPH]

After searching for the Castrol and Royal purple products, I chose to use the Ravenol MTf-3 synthetic 75w from Amazon at $14.90 liter.
I couldn't find Castrol product mentioned above except in EBay/UK and not shipped to USA.
The royal purple had a similar problem with shipping cost being more than oil cost. My best effort on the Toyota lube was about 38 per qt.
The Ravenol looks to be a quality product from Germany and currently available at Amazon.
I also looked at the Toyota part numbers on the Ravenol label and had Google translate the Russian pages to English, it was the same photo of Toyota oil recommended in my owners manual, so I can only guess these are Toyota European part numbers.
Good luck and thanks to above contributors for tips on the alternate brands.
2010 Gen 5

I use Mobil Delvac in both TC and diffs. Popular with the FJ guys and Porsche racers/builders. My dealer wouldn't even order the Toyota fluid for me.

 

[Bossman]

I bought my new-to-me 2011 Limited back in May 2016. The previous owner had racked up 144,000 km (89,000 miles) on it, with all regular maintenance (mainly just the 0W20 oil/filter changes and the occasional air filter) done at Toyota dealerships. Shortly after my purchase I had some brake work done and upgraded the tires - that blew my service budget!

This May at 151,000 km (94,000 miles) I decided to drain and fill the transfer case gear oil, drain and fill the front differential gear oil and rear differential gear oil. My independent mechanic did not notice any burnt smell or significant discoloration in the gear oils when he drained the t-case and differentials.

Since my local Toyota dealership gets their (75W90) gear oil in bulk, I was not able to use the recommended Toyota gear oils as specified in the owner's manual. Ended up using Lucas Synthetic 75W90 gear oil in the t-case and differentials.

https://lucasoil.com/products/gear-o...hetic-gear-oil

Also replaced the rear differential vent.

Should be good for the next 80,000 km (50,000 miles).

 

[catrains]

According to the spec sheet on the Royal Purple website the Syncromax is a direct replacement for the Toyota LF.

Think I will go with that.


.

this is a description of the Royal Purple synchromax

Royal Purple Synchromax Synthetic MTF Quart
Synchromax is a manual transmission fluid that increases performance and the life of your equipment. It improves shifting, reduces gear noise and increases power transfer to the wheels. It also lowers operating temperatures and provides outstanding wear protection for longer transmission life. Synchromax is recommended for manual transmissions that specify an automatic transmission fluid. Its also ideal for 4A—4 transfer cases and motorcycle gear boxes. Synchromax is fully compatible with all types of friction materials. It provides excellent corrosion and oxidation protection without affecting the soft metals commonly found in manual transmission synchronizers. Synchromax is formulated with Royal Purples proprietary Synerlec technology for unsurpassed performance and protection.

Synerlec technology provides exceptional load carrying capacity
Reducing operating temperatures
May used as a replacement to ANY auto transmission fluid in manual transmission applications
Ideal upgrade in manual transmissions specifying GM Synchromesh
Non-corrosive technology won't attack soft, yellow metals and/or synchronizer materials

$20 USD QT at pepboys .

This is also a replacement for the GM Trac II transfer case fluid , which is also a dealership only fluid.

 

[<<<<]

75w in transfer case and 75W-85 in both diffs is the correct weigh for 5th gen per repair manual but most use 75w-90 without any issues.

 

[1000MPH]

More to read in the Tundra forums if you are so inclined...

Transfer Case Oil - TundraTalk.net - Toyota Tundra Discussion Forum

 

[coltm4]

The Ravenol seems to be working well. The only thing I have noticed is the shift from 2 to 4H is a little slower/harder (sychros don't speed up as fast) than original fluid, but it could be my imagination too.

 

[gary419]

Ravenol Follow Up

After searching for the Castrol and Royal purple products, I chose to use the Ravenol MTf-3 synthetic 75w from Amazon at $14.90 liter.
I couldn't find Castrol product mentioned above except in EBay/UK and not shipped to USA.
The royal purple had a similar problem with shipping cost being more than oil cost. My best effort on the Toyota lube was about 38 per qt.
The Ravenol looks to be a quality product from Germany and currently available at Amazon.
I also looked at the Toyota part numbers on the Ravenol label and had Google translate the Russian pages to English, it was the same photo of Toyota oil recommended in my owners manual, so I can only guess these are Toyota European part numbers.
Good luck and thanks to above contributors for tips on the alternate brands.
2010 Gen 5

I finally got around to putting Ravenol in my transfer case today and the 1 Liter container was perfect amount. I'm adding a few pics to show the clever idea they used with the bottle, unfortunately I had my own refill ideas by transferring the oil to my own container. I believe my transfer was unnecessary and the built in spout on the Ravenol bottle would have worked given the space available above the transfer case inlet.

Pull up circular handles and yank upward to expose large white cylinder, next unscrew gold circular handles and yank upward second time to bring up tube.
Have a beer.

Link to Ravenol Oil Guide http://www.ravenol.de/en/oil-guide.html

 

[1000MPH]

The Ravenol seems to be working well. The only thing I have noticed is the shift from 2 to 4H is a little slower/harder (sychros don't speed up as fast) than original fluid, but it could be my imagination too.

Glad there's another option.
Are there syncros in a T/C?

 

[1000MPH]

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.

Did you see the Russian forum where they labeled over the can of the *080 with the *081?

http://forums.drom.ru/4x4/t1152170866-p840.html

 

[coltm4]

Glad there's another option.
Are there syncros in a T/C?

From what I gather, yes. Because there is a axle disconnect the front drive line (stationary in 2h) needs a synchro to allow for shift on the fly to work and not grind.

 

[coltm4]

Ravenol site recommendations.
Oil Guide - Ravenol

 

[T4RT]

Ravenol site recommendations.
Oil Guide - Ravenol

[MENTION=140132]coltm4[/MENTION] - So you have been happy with the Ravenol?

I am tempted to try it instead of the $$$ OEM stuff this Transfer Case Change.

 

[coltm4]

[MENTION=140132]coltm4[/MENTION] - So you have been happy with the Ravenol?

I am tempted to try it instead of the $$$ OEM stuff this Transfer Case Change.

So far so good. I'm at 50,000 miles. My observation is that the Toyota fluid may shift smoother at higher speeds. I will take the slower speed to shift vs the $75/qt fluid from Toyota.

 

[T4RT]

So far so good. I'm at 50,000 miles. My observation is that the Toyota fluid may shift smoother at higher speeds. I will take the slower speed to shift vs the $75/qt fluid from Toyota.

For $16 I will test it out to see how it works. If it is an issue, I will switch back to the OEM stuff. I appreciate your update sir!