1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Transfer Case Service

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by baltimorebirds2, Mar 26, 2022.

  1. Mar 26, 2022 at 8:39 AM
    #1
    baltimorebirds2

    baltimorebirds2 [OP] tacomama

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2022
    Member:
    #392483
    Messages:
    319
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brooks
    Maryland, United States
    Vehicle:
    2018 MGM Tacoma TRD Sport DCSB 4x4
    TRD Pro 17” Wheels, Toyo Open Country AT3 33s” (255/80/R17), Hooke Road Offroad Roof Rack, LEDs (Low Beams, High Beams, Fog Lights, Interior Lights, Reverse Lights, License Plate Lights), Diode Dynamics SS3 Sport Fog Lights (Yellow), Sequential Turn Signals, OME Nitrochargers, OME 887's 2", Icon 1.5" AAL, Yukon Clamshell Bushing, Alpine ILX W-650 Stereo, Infinity Primus 6004a Amplifier (140w*2), Sound Ordnance M75-4 Amplifier (75w*4), Infinity Kappa 693C Component 6x9 Speakers, Infinity Kappa 63XF 6.5 Speakers, TRD Shift Knob, Black Emblem Overlays, TRD Grille Badge, OEM Door Sill Protectors, Driver’s Seat Jackers, Pop and Lock Power Tailgate Lock, AJT Designs start button and trim, 4x4 knob, shifter trim, and cupholder trim, MESO Customs Vent Rings and Door Handle Covers, Gasshole, Drop Stops, Bed Lights, Rough Country Roll Up Tonneau Cover, Window Tint, KDMAX Tune
    Hey all, quick question for ya. Just serviced my transfer case with the recommended Ravenol fluid. Seemed to be of very good quality, and I really liked the built in tube that came with the bottle (gotta love German engineering sometimes haha). Anyways I filled it up with the ravenol and was a little tiny bit short. I put maybe 3 ish 8cc pumps of 75w-90 in to top it off to make sure it was full. I hope I didn’t do any harm if I just put a few pumps in? I feel like the fluid is similar so I don’t think I should have problems since the T- Case is 99% Ravenol. Can someone clarify please? Thanks!
     
  2. Mar 26, 2022 at 8:45 AM
    #2
    skeletron

    skeletron Disgraced Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2020
    Member:
    #348476
    Messages:
    2,180
    First Name:
    Clark
    Sakerlina
    Vehicle:
    2020 TRD Broh
    hiPSI likes this.
  3. Mar 26, 2022 at 9:21 AM
    #3
    splitbolt

    splitbolt Voodoo Witch Doctor

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2010
    Member:
    #32761
    Messages:
    7,856
    Gender:
    Male
    NW Arkansas
    Vehicle:
    2016 TRD OFFROAD DCSB MGM
    Ravenol claims compatability with MTF-3 75W...not 75W90. There are a handful of others that make the claim as well; like Redline MT-LV.
    MTF-3 and MT-LV are a manual transmission fluid.

    Ravenol makes several different 75W90 fluids for transmissions and differentials...which one did you get?

    Toyota will claim, 'only Toyota Transfer Gear Oil LF 75W' is compatible.
     
    hiPSI and Skydvrr like this.
  4. Mar 26, 2022 at 9:23 AM
    #4
    brian2sun

    brian2sun Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2020
    Member:
    #347119
    Messages:
    1,161
    Gender:
    Male
    California
    Vehicle:
    ‘21 TRD OR DCSB ‘17 4Runner Limited ‘97 4Runner SR5
    Toyota only recommends their own fluids that they make and sell themselves because, of course they’d rather get your money than someone else. Car manufacturers don’t typically officially approve any 3rd party oils whenever they make their own, but they do allow for “equivalents” that meet the same specs and standards without voiding any warranties. The owner’s manual states for the T-case: “1.1 qts SAE 75W Toyota Genuine Transfer gear oil LF or equivalent - Toyota part # 08885-81080”.

    Ravenol’s website states:
    “RAVENOL MTF-3 SAE 75W is tried and tested for aggregates specifying: TOYOTA 08885-81001, TOYOTA 08885-81081, (Equivalent to the 08885-81080 U.S. part number)” - that last part # is the crazy expensive Toyota 75W LF oil.

    So, the Ravenol will work perfectly fine for anyone who would like to save about $50 doing a T-Case drain & fill.

    OP, I wouldn’t give that small amount of 75w90 you added to top it off another thought, it’s fine. There are threads and threads worth of people filling the entire T-Case with 75w90 and running for tens of 1000s of miles without issues.
     
    Last edited: Mar 26, 2022
    JJ Diablo likes this.
  5. Mar 26, 2022 at 9:27 AM
    #5
    tonered

    tonered bartheloni

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2017
    Member:
    #231055
    Messages:
    30,903
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    tony
    Lynnwood, WA
    Ravenol worked great for me, and the bottle is neat. It is weird that the full liter didn't get you to full. I had a bit dribbling out. Same when I recently swapped back to the Toyota stuff.
     
    Skydvrr likes this.
  6. Mar 26, 2022 at 9:30 AM
    #6
    splitbolt

    splitbolt Voodoo Witch Doctor

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2010
    Member:
    #32761
    Messages:
    7,856
    Gender:
    Male
    NW Arkansas
    Vehicle:
    2016 TRD OFFROAD DCSB MGM
    Therein lies the rub...there is no "equivalent". IMO, they only say that to get around having to provide it for free, according to law.
     
    skeletron likes this.
  7. Mar 26, 2022 at 10:17 AM
    #7
    brian2sun

    brian2sun Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2020
    Member:
    #347119
    Messages:
    1,161
    Gender:
    Male
    California
    Vehicle:
    ‘21 TRD OR DCSB ‘17 4Runner Limited ‘97 4Runner SR5
    Dude, there’s no rub. It’s oil with the correct specs that the machinery calls for. Metal parts don’t care about brand names or price, only viscosity and chemical structure. People have been using 3rd party oil since the first day of automobiles. Your t-case will be 110% ok running this forever.
     
  8. Mar 26, 2022 at 10:26 AM
    #8
    zoo truck

    zoo truck Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2020
    Member:
    #325379
    Messages:
    8,950
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2020 quicksand sr5 tacoma
    None
    From what i've been told the toyota transfer case oil is made to work well in all climates, especially severe cold. I would think as long as any manufacture meets those specs, or close to it, i don't see why their oil can't be used.
     
  9. Mar 26, 2022 at 10:39 AM
    #9
    malatx

    malatx Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2020
    Member:
    #336090
    Messages:
    1,035
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2022 TRDOR DCLB Army Green
    transfer cases on Toyota trucks have nothing fancy that's viscosity specific, the general rule is that the heavier the weight is, the more parasitic drag and worse fuel economy, and that's about it, but do stick to whatever GL standard Toyota specifies, they are different and can potentially have additives that are not compatible.

    So far the truly weight specific oil application I see is the engine oil for the new Toyota dynamic force engines due to variable oil pump (not a simple oil pump that pressurizes linearly with engine speed) tuned specifically for that weight.
     
  10. Mar 26, 2022 at 11:05 AM
    #10
    splitbolt

    splitbolt Voodoo Witch Doctor

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2010
    Member:
    #32761
    Messages:
    7,856
    Gender:
    Male
    NW Arkansas
    Vehicle:
    2016 TRD OFFROAD DCSB MGM
    Correct spec according to who?
    Besides 75W, what is the spec?
    If you're talking 0W20 ILSAC GF-5 or 75W85 GL-5...that's a spec.

    VOAs have shown, there is nothing quite like it in regards to the additive package.
    If people want to go off viscosity and 'close enough', that's fine. Redline has a power steering fluid that fits that criteria...
    Same viscosity and 'close enough' is not 'equivalent' in my book.

    My comments are more from a technical and legal standpoint. I concede, in practice, some fluids have shown to work well.

    ...and don't call me dude.
     
    RustyGreen and hiPSI like this.
  11. Mar 26, 2022 at 11:05 AM
    #11
    baltimorebirds2

    baltimorebirds2 [OP] tacomama

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2022
    Member:
    #392483
    Messages:
    319
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brooks
    Maryland, United States
    Vehicle:
    2018 MGM Tacoma TRD Sport DCSB 4x4
    TRD Pro 17” Wheels, Toyo Open Country AT3 33s” (255/80/R17), Hooke Road Offroad Roof Rack, LEDs (Low Beams, High Beams, Fog Lights, Interior Lights, Reverse Lights, License Plate Lights), Diode Dynamics SS3 Sport Fog Lights (Yellow), Sequential Turn Signals, OME Nitrochargers, OME 887's 2", Icon 1.5" AAL, Yukon Clamshell Bushing, Alpine ILX W-650 Stereo, Infinity Primus 6004a Amplifier (140w*2), Sound Ordnance M75-4 Amplifier (75w*4), Infinity Kappa 693C Component 6x9 Speakers, Infinity Kappa 63XF 6.5 Speakers, TRD Shift Knob, Black Emblem Overlays, TRD Grille Badge, OEM Door Sill Protectors, Driver’s Seat Jackers, Pop and Lock Power Tailgate Lock, AJT Designs start button and trim, 4x4 knob, shifter trim, and cupholder trim, MESO Customs Vent Rings and Door Handle Covers, Gasshole, Drop Stops, Bed Lights, Rough Country Roll Up Tonneau Cover, Window Tint, KDMAX Tune
    Thanks for the info guys, I really appreciate it. I doubt anything is going to change, but I will update if it does. You’d be insane if you think I’m paying $60-80 for a single liter of Toyota’s specific transfer case fluid. If it was a reasonable price like $20 something, then I would understand.
     
    brian2sun and JJ Diablo like this.
  12. Mar 26, 2022 at 11:08 AM
    #12
    brian2sun

    brian2sun Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2020
    Member:
    #347119
    Messages:
    1,161
    Gender:
    Male
    California
    Vehicle:
    ‘21 TRD OR DCSB ‘17 4Runner Limited ‘97 4Runner SR5
    Duuuuuuuude. No one’s t-cases are failing from using Ravenol 75W instead of Toyota 75W.
     
    JJ Diablo likes this.
  13. Mar 26, 2022 at 11:13 AM
    #13
    splitbolt

    splitbolt Voodoo Witch Doctor

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2010
    Member:
    #32761
    Messages:
    7,856
    Gender:
    Male
    NW Arkansas
    Vehicle:
    2016 TRD OFFROAD DCSB MGM
    Where did I say that?
    In fact, I more or less stated just the opposite.
     
  14. Mar 26, 2022 at 11:23 AM
    #14
    brian2sun

    brian2sun Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2020
    Member:
    #347119
    Messages:
    1,161
    Gender:
    Male
    California
    Vehicle:
    ‘21 TRD OR DCSB ‘17 4Runner Limited ‘97 4Runner SR5
    Ok then I guess you’re just being argumentative for the sake of it, even though we both know Ravenol 75W works just fine in the real world. In depth oil specs is an extremely dry and boring topic to me so you can have at it. All that really matters is that this much less expensive Ravenol 75W has been used by many many people who don’t want to pay out the ass for Toyota’s special fluid (which most dealers can’t even get without doing a special order… which means most dealers aren’t even using it in their own service bays, as many have noted on their invoices showing Toyota 75W85 being used for t-case service by the dealers). Pay 3 or 4xs more for the Toyota 75W if you like, IDC.
     
    mquibble likes this.
  15. Mar 26, 2022 at 11:51 AM
    #15
    splitbolt

    splitbolt Voodoo Witch Doctor

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2010
    Member:
    #32761
    Messages:
    7,856
    Gender:
    Male
    NW Arkansas
    Vehicle:
    2016 TRD OFFROAD DCSB MGM
    Bye
     
  16. Mar 26, 2022 at 12:12 PM
    #16
    85GT 79FJ40

    85GT 79FJ40 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2010
    Member:
    #47768
    Messages:
    1,113
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ken
    New Hampshire
    Vehicle:
    19 TRD Sport DCSB 6M - 2017 Honda Africa Twin
    I have a liter of the ravenol for mine. Spec says it takes 1.1 quarts which is essentially a liter. So one should have done it. That said my previous 5th gen 4Runner was supposed to use that 75W fluid also and I ran 75w90 in it for 80k miles changing it a few times. Never saw anything abnormal in the fluid nor did I have any issues.
     
    JJ Diablo likes this.
  17. Mar 26, 2022 at 3:57 PM
    #17
    WinterFalco

    WinterFalco Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2021
    Member:
    #384634
    Messages:
    145
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Donald
    Vehicle:
    2018 Midnight Black SR 4x4 Double Cab
    Added aftermarket Rims and Tires, Fog Lights, Mudflaps, Entune with Nav
    I use Ravenol in my 2018 as well. The 1 Liter that came with the kit filled my transfer case with a little dribbling out. I too love the spout, but it only works on the rear diff and the transfer case. Not enough room for the front diff so I had to use a pump on it.
     
  18. Mar 26, 2022 at 6:48 PM
    #18
    hfjeff

    hfjeff Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2019
    Member:
    #304516
    Messages:
    457
    Gender:
    Male
    Frozen Tundra
    Vehicle:
    2021 Army Green Off Road
    Bottom line: will your t-case or diffs grenade because they have Ravenol in them rather than Toyota branded? No. Did you save $$ by using Ravenol rather than Toyota? Yes. Sleep well and move on.
     
    Big tall dave likes this.
  19. Mar 26, 2022 at 9:30 PM
    #19
    Pro-Taco

    Pro-Taco Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2018
    Member:
    #271763
    Messages:
    1,324
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Lou
    Commiefornia
    Vehicle:
    2019 OR DCSB 4X4 Prem/Tech Cement
    All TRD Pro parts
    Ravenol makes the best oil in the world. I've used their products for years. I don't know what is the "secret ingredient" in Toyota's fluid, but I am pretty sure Ravenol will perform the same if not better, IMO.
     
    WinterFalco likes this.
  20. Mar 26, 2022 at 9:40 PM
    #20
    radclerk1

    radclerk1 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2016
    Member:
    #175092
    Messages:
    917
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Vic
    Vehicle:
    2017 Access Cab 2.7L Manual 4x4
    None
    Toyota just had a 25% off sale. Bought all my fluids and shipped them free using their discount code. 275D89A3-7FB2-4231-98CE-7BD3B8BA6134.jpg7FCC87CB-ABBA-4414-8830-38823D30448B.jpg
    4A31D93D-EF46-4C45-8B88-8874FBAACC15.jpg

    0C4FC91A-6BEA-4919-9A9C-FCAC2F62C9BD.jpg
     
    Pro-Taco likes this.

Products Discussed in

To Top