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75w-85 GL-5 differential oil same oil for transfer case?

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by ZachUA, Feb 20, 2024.

  1. Feb 20, 2024 at 7:19 AM
    #1
    ZachUA

    ZachUA [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Getting ready to do the diffs and transfer case. watching the ol youtube videos. One video suggested using 75w-90 GL-5 oil for the diffs and toyota transfer case gear oil LF SAE 75w pr# 08885-81080 for the tcase.

    Another video the gentleman used the 75w-90 GL-5 oil in both diffs and the transfer case.

    Are the GL-5 75w oils interchangeable with the LF SAE 75w Toyota transfer case oil?

    Thanks!
     
  2. Feb 20, 2024 at 7:56 AM
    #2
    RotorRPM

    RotorRPM Well-Known Member

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    If you can get the genuine 75w for the transfer case use that. 3 dealers near me use the same oil for the diffs as the TCase.
     
  3. Feb 20, 2024 at 8:09 AM
    #3
    ZachUA

    ZachUA [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Ok thanks, I just noticed the Toyota transfer case oil was $100.00 for 1 Liter vs around 50-60 bucks for 4 qts of the valvoline synth 75w-90 gear oil. If it's going to make my transfer case live longer to use the more expensive oil, I'm all for it. If there's effectively no difference than I'll save some cash and use same in all 3.
     
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  4. Feb 20, 2024 at 8:10 AM
    #4
    BLtheP

    BLtheP Constantly Tinkering Member

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    The official fluid for the 3rd gen transfer case is the 75W LF in the owner's manual.

    The 2nd gen transfer case was very similar and used 75W-90 GL4 or GL5.

    Many dealers (most, if not all) use 75W-90 GL5. I've seen a report or two that it doesn't shift right in super cold weather (like Canada in the middle of winter), but most places it should be fine...and I don't necessarily believe that the reports were specific to the transfer case. I say that because I have personally started my truck up in 2F temp and mine shifted fine with 80W-90 GL4 in the transfer case. The front diff actuator was a bit slow to move the fork, but I run 85W-140 in the front diff so that makes sense. Other than that, it all worked fine.

    In warm weather mine shifts more smoothly with less clunks using the XXW-90 than it did with the stock LF fluid. Considering that is the cheaper fluid, I stick to it. I use Driven 80W-90 conventional GL4 because I use it in the MT as well.
     
  5. Feb 20, 2024 at 9:11 AM
    #5
    Anchovy

    Anchovy Rule #1: Never take me seriously

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    Not the same oil as differentials. I think the differentials are GL5 and the transfer case is GL4. The GL5 will damage the transfer case because of brass components
     
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  6. Feb 20, 2024 at 9:14 AM
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    ZachUA

    ZachUA [OP] Well-Known Member

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    good to know! I saw some mention of GL5 not being good for brass in the Q&A portion of Amazon. Wonder if you could just use valvoline GL4 75w gear oil for the transfer case. Not sure it's worth worrying over saving 75ish bucks but if the $100 yota trans case oil is essentially the same as GL4 75w valvoline, then no sense in spending the extra cash.
     
  7. Feb 20, 2024 at 9:39 AM
    #7
    BLtheP

    BLtheP Constantly Tinkering Member

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    GL5 is not great for synchros but I don’t think it matters in a tcase. Toyota specified GL4/5 for the 2nd gen. They had a synchro just like ours do.
     
  8. Feb 20, 2024 at 9:53 AM
    #8
    3JOH22A

    3JOH22A トヨタ純正男娼

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    Use Red Line 75W MT-LV for the transfer case. It's declared compatibility with Toyota LF, but costs only $20-30 a bottle. Good availability through most speed shops that carry Red Line oil.
     
  9. Feb 20, 2024 at 10:01 AM
    #9
    ZachUA

    ZachUA [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Nice thanks! Is this the right one? It says 70w/75w for manual trans and transaxles: https://www.amazon.com/Red-Line-RL-MTL-Oil/dp/B07V1VW32J/
     
  10. Feb 20, 2024 at 1:54 PM
    #10
    3JOH22A

    3JOH22A トヨタ純正男娼

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    ^That's the one. Look up the P/N 50604 and you might find it in stock in a local shop, cash & carry.
     
  11. Feb 20, 2024 at 2:36 PM
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    Big Cole

    Big Cole Well-Known Member

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  12. Feb 20, 2024 at 2:40 PM
    #12
    BabyBilly

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    https://www.blauparts.com/toyota-tacoma-transfer-case-differential-fluid-change-kit.html get these fluids and this gasket kit https://www.amazon.com/GENUINE-TOYOTA-TRANSFER-DIFFERENTIAL-SERVICE/dp/B017V4BAXI and call it a day.
     
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  13. Feb 20, 2024 at 3:08 PM
    #13
    brian2sun

    brian2sun Well-Known Member

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    I use Ravenol 75W in both my ‘21 tacoma and ‘17 4runner’s t cases. Works great and costs a lot less $ than Toyota 75W. That said, tons of people have been using the same 75W90 (or close weight) GL5 as their diffs, in their t cases for many years with no problems at all.
     
  14. Feb 20, 2024 at 3:13 PM
    #14
    stuttgart1

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    Ravenol 75W lists the correct Toyota fluid spec. on the bottle. I also purchased it from Blauparts for about $18.00 a liter. Much better than the $100.00 per liter Toyota wants
     
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  15. Feb 20, 2024 at 4:30 PM
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    jericho777

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  16. Feb 20, 2024 at 4:36 PM
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    Bishop84

    Bishop84 Well-Known Member

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    PSA 75w90 doesnt cause Tcases to explode.

    It's not perfect oem, but people seem to think the tcase shifts 150 times a day and that the brass will flake apart.
     
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  17. Feb 20, 2024 at 4:39 PM
    #17
    BLtheP

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    People seem to think that because the spec updated, that the t-case “requires” LF. It’s just a transfer case lol. The fact that mine shifts better not using that stuff tells me all I really need to know.
     
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  18. Feb 20, 2024 at 4:45 PM
    #18
    Brikan

    Brikan Well-Known Member

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    Do not put GL-5 gear oil in the transfer case, it will ruin it, you can use manual transmission oil (GL-4) or get the toyota 75w.
     
  19. Feb 21, 2024 at 8:10 AM
    #19
    ZachUA

    ZachUA [OP] Well-Known Member

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    thanks oreillys had it listed as in stock and avail for pickup tomorrow.
    Is this it? https://www.blauparts.com/ravenol-manual-transmission-fluid-mtf-3-75w-1l.html
     
  20. Feb 21, 2024 at 8:15 AM
    #20
    Ricardo13x

    Ricardo13x YT: @UrbanOpsOffRoad IG: @urban.ops.offroad

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    This^^^ the valvoline bag or the mobil 1 goes in. No issues ever with my vf4 or any other t-case I have serviced.
     
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