We’ve had several threads on the transfer case oil. I use a 75 from Ravenol in my Tundra.
...Toyota actuators can be a bit grumpy when cold. Dealers like to replace them and charge a fortune. They can be contact cleaned and resealed but some models hard to get to so you pull the xfer case to swap or service the solenoids. Has nothing to do with visc other than how slow they are when cold.
Since Toyota had a history with transfer case GL5 gear oils, I would either use the OE MPG LF 75w or snub my nose at MPG and fill it with GL5 75w85 or 75w90. I dont see any commonly available GL5 75w80's in the USA. Once the gear oil is warm, it cant be any worse than the 75w LF when cold.
I dont practice shift on the fly shenanigans. I think that it would be smart to anticipate the terrain and engage/disengage 4wdHi 2wdHi as needed from a stop. I'd wager that the thinner fluid might be quicker than thicker fluids....for the clueless driver shifting into 4wd at 50mph, especially if there is some transfer case synchronisation when engaging 4wdHi. Disengaging 4wd should be a non issue regardless of fluid.
The Ravenol is used by all the guys on the Toyota Tundra forums. I have it in my Tundra. Runs smoother that the Toyota factory fluid. Many who have went with 75W-85 or 75W-90 have had issues. The older Tundras would be fine, but in 2014 they went to a new transfer case that requires the 75W. I would use it only. As far as I know. the only fluid in that weight besides the Toyota fluid is Ravenol and Redline.I noticed Ravenol boldly claims their 75W MTF is suitable for this particular application. But is there a recent VOA for it?
Ravenol MTF More specs on their German site
You don't need that in your TC. In warm places it probably won't hurt anything, in cold places, you might have some sluggishness when changing.I get a "clunk" when moving between 4L and 4H if the drivetrain isn't warmed up. Not something I do regularly, but in rare instances I have to make that shift before I have driven much. Is that the actuator grumpiness you refer to? When everything is warmed up, TC shifting is quiet and smooth.
My TC has not been touched yet, so presumably it has the OEM 75W LF in it. IF they are even using it at the factory, LOL.
I don't live or drive in snow country, so I only shift into/out of 4WD at low speeds on unpaved roads.
(Off-topic fun fact: my Wrangler manual recommended that I put the transmission in neutral BUT still be rolling at 2-3 MPH when shifting into/out of low range! This was a problem if I had already started a climb then realized I need low range. Actually, TC shifting was a problem all the time as the TC lever was hard to move. I'm quite happy I now have a dial instead.)
So is anyone going to talk me out of using the AMSOIL SVG 75W-90?
Toyota spec's 75w85 for the differentials, not 75w90Now, for the front and rear differentials, you ARE CORRECT - the Redline product you quote is correct. But for the transfer case, it is not correct.
This is what I put in the manual tranny of our 13 GT500. Going into second gear was never as smooth as the other gears. The Wife drives the car at least as much as I do, I didn't tell her that I changed the tranny fluid and when she got back from driving it, she said "What did you do to Shelby, it shifts so much better now"Has anyone used Royal Purple Synchromax in the 4Runners transfer case?
It shows on the RP site as a proper fluid fulfillment.
Thought there was a law that states that if a car manufacturer required you to use a certain product they have to givre it to you free. Somehow doesn't apply in this case?
The Redline MTL-LV https://www.redlineoil.com/mt-lv-70w75wI just noticed that Redline has come out with this which looks like it is targeting the OEM 75W requirement (and other similar applications as well) for the Tundra transfer case.
75W-90 SHOULD work, but you don't need it and probably slow engage in really cold.I'm going to be servicing a 2019 4Runner soon for a friend. It has 60k miles on it with no extended warranty, so the OEM warranty is no longer an issue. Regarding the xfer case fluid, it calls for the Transfer 75W LF fluid. As I understand it, this is the newer LV fluid that has a nod towards fuel economy.
As he does not care about the minimal fuel economy loss, and warranty is no longer in play, would there be any other reason to be concerned about using a typical 75w-90 GL-5 gear oil in the transfer case? Cost is the issue; the OE fluid is crazy expensive, and I believe that a typical syn GL-5 would suffice for far less expense.
Does anyone know of a reason to not use the GL-5 in this specific example under these parameters?