75w transfer case oil vs. 75w-85

25,000 miles and want to drain my front and rear differentials after a good break in and refill with 75w-85 synthetic what ever is on sale at VatoZone which doesn’t carry straight 75w. I see the transfer case calls for straight 75w and Amazon has it for $38.50 per liter and I’d have to buy two. It it really necessary to spend almost triple for the branded stuff?
And will regular 75w-85 be okay in the rear or is limited slip absolutely needed? I think I know the answer but the maintenance sticky doesnt call for LS in fact it never mentions it so thought I’d ask. Thanks Amigos and have a great weekend.

 

Our trucks have simulated limited slip thru the brakes.

 

Personally I grabbed OEM for mine. Going to be doing the same service next Saturday at 30k miles. For difs and trans I grabbed Redline equivalent.

 

Using GL-5 in the transfer case will degrade the synchros.

 

If this is the case, why does the owner’s manual not specify a GL, like it does for the differential and manual transmission?

 

There's no mechanical LSD to worry about with the rear diff, it's just a standard open diff in there.

For the transfer case I suggest something proper and I use Redline MT-LV. The reason for this is there's a synchro in the tcase which performs better and lasts longer with the proper fluid. The specific fluid also aids with the tcase's electronic shifting especially in cold weather.

 

Because it specifies something much more specific. Toyota LF 75W only.

 

IMHO after changing the T case fluid at 7k with Ravenol then again at 65k with the Toyota LF stuff, just run the factory fill for 90k.

Definitely do both diffs though.

 

Exactly:
Oil capacity
1.1 qt. (1.0 L, 0.9 Imp.qt.)
Oil type*
Toyota Genuine Transfer gear oil LF or equivalent
Recommended oil viscosity
SAE 75W

 

Okay thanks for the replies. I thought I read 1.6qts for the transfer case but I thought wrong. I’ll wait for 90k as suggested.

 

Got all my fluids during the 25% off and free shipping sale.

 

Not exactly. “Or equivalent” as posted above. I find it odd that the GL isn’t therefore specified so we know what the equivalent is, if it’s so critical. I’m not saying your wrong about the result, I’m just curious why Toyota didn’t specify.

 

The sulfur and phosphorous additives used in GL spec lubes is corrosive to the yellow metal used in the synchros.

 

FWIW; the can of the Toyota Transfer Gear oil is 1 liter. For a drain and refill one can is enough (With maybe an ounce to spare). I've done it twice now; both times even with a little dribbling and spillage one can was plenty.

 

Cheers!

As @Speedbird said, 1.0l will fill it perfectly.

 

Yes, equivalent to the specific oil which doesn't include all GL-4's.

 

This is what's in mine and so far so good. https://www.redlineoil.com/mt-lv-70w75w

 

I was recently told shell S-tec oil0005 works well in these toyota transfer cases. Maybe a little less cost.

 

I'd speculate, because it is neither a GL-4 or GL-5; though some alternatives(not necessarily equivalents) are GL-4.
If any GL rating applied, it might be the defunct GL-1 or GL-2 ratings.

 

Sulphur/phosphorous is used as an EP(extreme pressure) additive in gear lubes. These additives react aggressively on bronze and copper used in synchromesh rings. GL-4 has half as much of the EP additive as GL-5 but it does have them. The Redline MT-LV states it does not have the sulphur in it and I would guess that the Toyota LF doesn't have any sulphur either. Since the sulphur/phosphorous is bad for the synchros I would prefer to have none instead of just less of it.