What Oil are you using in your Transfer Case

Now that the weather is getting nicer I am starting to gather everything for maintenance. Up until today I thought you could use the same oil as the diffs in the transfer case, now after more research I realize that Toyota recommends their own 75w oil that there seems to be only one equivalent to made by Revenol. It would sure be nice to just use the same oil in all three. Just figured I'd see what others are using. I attached what Toyota actually recommends for fluids for reference.

 

wallymart super tech 75-140 full synthetic gear lube in hotter than heck Austin....

 

Ravenol. On Amazon

 

Ravenol J1C1003

 

What's interesting about the Ravenol is it is spec to replace not only the Toyota spec transfer case oil but also the Toyota LV75W Manual Transmission Gear Oil amongst many other OEM specific fluids. Clearly if this one fluid can replace many other OEM fluids the transfer case oil cannot be all that special. I am going to go through all the different applications that Ravenol lists it can replace and see what other options are out there to replace those same fluids, there's gotta be something on the shelf at Walmart that can replace the transfer case oil.
https://www.ravenolamerica.com/transmission-fluid/75w-manual-transmission-fluid-ravenol-mtf-3/

Code:

RAVENOL MTF-3 SAE 75W is a fully synthetic transmission oil for manual transmissions.

Specifications, Applications, and OE references:

SAE 75w
VW/Audi G 060 726 A2
VW/Audi G 052 171 A2
VW/Audi G 052 512 A2
VW/Audi G 070 726 A2
BMW 2300 7533 818 MTF LT-3
BMW 83 22 0 396 706
BMW 83 22 7 533 818 MTF LT-3
MTF JWS2271
PSA Standard 9730A8
TOYOTA 08885-81001
TOYOTA 08885-81081
VOLVO 1161839
VOLVO 1161838
FORD WSS-M2C200-D2
FIAT 9.55550-MZ6

 

I just use Lucas gear oil in all my shit.

 

I use mobile one

$39 75w-90 GL-5 Limited Slip, Ultra Long Drain 500k Miles, Manual Transmission, Gear/Differential Lubricant (1 Gallon)

75w-90 in the front and transfer case and 75w-140 in the rear

you're over thinking this

 

Do you have a 2013 though? Apparently in 2014 the transfer case changed along with the oil spec for it and there are reports of people having issues using 75w90 in it since it is much thicker than the mono spec 75w.

 

what kind of issues?? I have lots of friends running third gen tundras

 

2019 truck and your looking to replace your transfer case oil already?

 

From what I have read on other forums people who have used 75w90 in the transfer case experience loud clunky engagement of 4wd since 75w90 is much thicker than 75w. Trust me I'd like to just use 75w90 in all three but not if there are better options out there like the Ravenol.

I'm going to be doing my diffs so figure I'd also do the transfer case. Seen many posts about people having lots of gunk in the rear diff on the first change so figure get it done sooner than later.

 

thats it? A loud clunky engagement??? thats the only issue??

 

Well the current fluid provides smooth and seamless engagement so why would you use a fluid that causes loud clunking sounds when engaging? I don't understand your question.

 

Im just verifying thats the only issue being reported.

 

Yeah from what I've read that seems to be the chief complaint as well as hard engagement. I'm sure 75w90 is not going to cause a catastrophic failure or anything but when something is loud and clunking it can't be a good thing. I happen to enjoy how you can't even tell when the 4x4 engages it's so smooth, would like to try and maintain that. Im in the North East so 4x4 is mostly used during winter months so having a fluid much thicker than spec would be worse for me than someone in a warmer climate who might not even notice a difference.

 

Here's another thread that may be helpful:
https://www.tundras.com/threads/diff-fluids-transfer-case-fluid-plugs.43295/page-2

 

You are correct.
Toyota changed the t-case in 3rd gens, starting in the ‘14 models, using a different BorgWarner t-case. When I was first looking into changing the oil in the t-case the first time I did some calling around to Toyota and BorgWarner. The tolerances are apparently pretty tight and BW recommends the the thinner oil of the 75W. Toyota’s price point is crazy. The Ravenol has great product reputation and is used by several German car manufacturers. I believe Royal Purple makes a comparable product, but it was hard to source at the time I was initially changing mine.
I may try the RP in the future, but no complaints with the Ravenol.

 

Here is a quote from the thread below. From someone who used 75w90.

Thanks just read through that, very helpful information.

Thanks, I'll probably go with the Ravenol and maybe also use their differential oil too since they make 75w85.

 

Yessir...
I put RP in the front and rear diffs, and the Ravenol in the t-case.
I’ve been looking into the Amsoil products for the diffs (and engine), next time I change. Amsoil make some pretty slick stuff. Pun intended.

 

Putting a different gear oil made a transfer case pull to one side? Does that actually make sense to anyone? Does anyone really believe that?

 

Yeah he's probably just a salesman for Ravenol.

 

Lot of people had a delayed, lethargic engagement as well with the

$39 75w-90 GL-5 Limited Slip, Ultra Long Drain 500k Miles, Manual Transmission, Gear/Differential Lubricant (1 Gallon)

75w-90. Swapped out to 75w and they reported 4wd engagement was much quicker afterwards.

 

You don’t have to believe it dude. That’s exactly what it did to me. Why would I make that up? Feel free to put in whatever oil you want in your transfer case. Personally I have just enough to do another change in Ravenol. After that one is up I may try out the Toyota spec mystery oil. Just to see if it feels any different.

 

Definitely not a salesman for them. I’ve been around here long enough that people would know by now if I was. Just a lowly Plumber lol. Plus if I was a salesman for them I would start a group buy and hook people up.

 

Hahaha I was being sarcastic after his reply saying you were lying about it.

 

I kind of figured. But just in case anyone else thought you weren’t, I clarified LOL.

 

How does a transfer case "pull to the side"?

 

Well as you know we have open differentials so there’s really only one tire pulling until traction control kicks in. The only thing I can fathom is that the gear oil in the transfer case is so thick it causes it to pull on that one side when it’s engaged. It’s been so long I can’t remember if it was under load accelerating or on the deceleration. It was very noticeable. Then you have the transfer case being reluctant to disengage without turning the wheel. All of that changed when I put in 75W. I have no reason to make this shit up. And I’m pretty in tune with what my truck is doing and how it feels. And it definitely felt wrong.

 

Well, I've got 3 bottles of Ravenol MTF-3 in 75W sitting on the garage floor. So at 60,500 miles I'm ready Freddy. Not sure when I'll do it. I did the front & rear differentials about 5,000 miles ago.

 

What? You didn't answer how the transfer case pulled your truck to the side? Are you saying that the front and rear driveshafts were somehow not spinning at the same speed? I think that your perception and reasoning are more wrong than what a slightly different weight of gear oil did to make your truck pull to one side.