Diffs and transfer case fluids

Trust me I am definitely not one that follows Toyotas recommend fluids to a T, I run 5w30 over 0w20, 75w90 over 75w85 use prestone brake fluid, although that actually does fall within the correct spec. The three fluids I stick with OEM are transfer case, ATF, and coolant, all just personal preference. As far as the transfer case goes I rely on my 4x4 in the winter time and have never had an issue with the OEM fluid, super smooth quiet shifts, so when it came time to change it, I decided to go with the OEM fluid. Yes its stupid how expensive it is but kind of cool that it comes in an old school can. That said I only change it every 30,000 and only do about 10,000 a year so in all reality the money saved by using cheaper fluid is not much when spread over 3 years.

Lol nope, just a internet research guru haha.

 

Thank you for the good info. Ordered a kit from Blau to do my first diff change.

 

I need to change fluids in my truck and automatically went with amsoil severe gear in the squeeze bags. 75w90 full synthetic. With my 2008 that got totaled at 225k miles, I always used royal purple full synthetic 75W90 for all 3 and had zero issues. Minimal shavings and my understanding was other people used amsoil severe gear for all 3.

 

Just FYI in 2008 75w90 was the correct fluid for the transfer case it changed in 2014 when the transfer case changed.

 

Did the transfer case design actually change?

 

Yes, in 2014 BorgWarner became the manufacturer for the Tundra transfer case prior to that it was a Japanese company.
https://tundraheadquarters.com/borgwarner-toyota-tundra-transfer-case/

 

Thanks. If I didn't stumble on this article I'd have done what the 08 manual called for. What about front diff? That's still 75W90?

 

No problem, and you probably would have be just fine, many people are running 75w90 in the transfer case, apparently even dealers put it in.

$94 08885-81080 Toyota Genuine Transfer Case Gear Oil LF 75W 1 Litre 08885-81080

08885-81080 is the part number for the stuff Toyota says to use but others have had success with products from Ravenol, Royal Purple and Redline. The front and rear differentials call for 75w85 but that doesnt exist on store shelves so the majority of people including myself run 75w90.

 

Purchased these 2 at O’Reilly’s today. Is this the correct fluid for my 2019 Tundra 4x4 transfer case?

 

I'm sure it'll work just fine, others on here have used that fluid, they advertise is at a 75w equivalent but the only fluid actually approved is the Toyota fluid, they don't spec any alternatives.

 

Redline, Ravenol and Royal Purple all claim to be able to replace the

$94 08885-81080 Toyota Genuine Transfer Case Gear Oil LF 75W 1 Litre 08885-81080

08885-81080. I was just stating that none of them are actually approved by Toyota and none of them can claim to meet Toyotas spec because Toyota has never released a spec for it besides its own fluid. I'm sure they all will do just fine though, only issues I have seen on the forums is people with that have used 75w90.

 

thank you JS18Tundra, appreciate the value in your post.

 

From the 2013 manual

 

Thank you for sharing, I do wish my 2019 spec’d the same gear oil, my truck manual calls for 75W oil.

 

Incase you didn't know, this is the 2014-2021 Sub forum. The transfer case changed in 2014 along with the oil spec.

 

Went ahead and drained the transfer case and added 1.7 quarts of Red Line MT-LV gear oil. Will update this thread in the coming weeks and months to share if there are any observable differences in my truck.

 

I’ve been using the mt-lv for 35k miles, there has been no shift difference vs oem.

 

Seems to be only cosmestic on mine but does your transfer case look like it has hairline cracks on it throughout? Maybe it’s the makeup of the cast iron exterior.

 

Yes it is!!!

Got all my fluids earlier so going to do my change in the am!!!

 

Excellent! Let us know how things go?

 

Can someone direct me to a video on how to tighten the propeller shaft bolts and the chassis/body mount bolts as directed in the maintenance log?

 

Took care of both front and rear differentials and the transfer case and also relocated the rear differential breather to up behind the driver side tail light. Everything took about 2 and 1/2 hours with cleanup. I have 37,000 miles on the truck and the fluid looked really well. Some very slight tint of silver but that's expected from break-in.

 

Are the Toyota fluids considered to be the gold standard or just overpriced? Looking to change out my diff and t-case fluids and would like to do the best for the truck.

 

Definitely dont buy Toyota brand for the differentials but personally I went with the Toyota Fluid for the transfer case. People will chime in with Redline, RP, Ravenol and even 75w90.

 

Good question, as I just went through this. The Toyota products should be great, no surprise there. It’s the cost of the fluids that are challenging, the transfer case and diff fluid are $99 a quart, tough to get in line with those prices of fluids. Here is what I’ve done…

Front Diff and Rear Diff Fluid: Valvoline 75-90 synthetic gear fluid in the flex fill plastic bags, purchased on Amazon. I’m 5,000 miles into the change and all is well.

$63 Valvoline Flexfill SAE 75W-90 Full Synthetic Gear Oil 1 QT, Case of 4

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08K9CGB6Y


Transfer Case: Red Line MT-LV, which is the same spec as Toyota outlines for the transfer case. Purchased from O’Reilly.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/red-line-synthetic-oil/red-line-transfer-case-fluid/rl00/50604

Going to stick with these fluids for the life of my truck.

 

Dont have my truck anymore to go look, but...a wrench and socket wont tighten prop shaft bolts? Socket/torx wont take care of the body/bed bolts?

 

Appreciate the clarification.