Transfer Case Lubrication requirements, 2014 and above

I have a test kit coming and have the virgin Ravenol 75W. The site lists the Tacoma's with the 75w MTF recommendation but is not specific to 3rd generation Tundra Borg Warner Tcases as I only see 2007 and forward. I will send it to Blackstone the day I get the kit as I have a unopened bottle. Results will be posted when received.

 

Virgin sample of Ravenol 75W Fullsynth MTF-3 dated 08/24/17 off for testing.

 

Is there a write up on how to do this? I’ve only seen write ups on 2nd gen and they were not very detailed.

I’m going on 67k and have only changed out the rear diff fluid around 5k miles ago.

 

I followed this write up and was pretty darn spot on! If you have changed your rear differential oil before then the other 2 difs are basically same and very easy. Just drain and fill back up until it seaps out the fill hole.
https://www.tundras.com/threads/diy-front-differential-and-transfer-case-fluid-change.10743/

 

Thanks to btanchors for doing the research on this. If your out there can you repost the virgin oil results of the Toyota branded 75w in this thread. Thanks

 

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Anybody have any thoughts on how similar these two lubes are based on the reports above?

 

It appears that the Toyota sample is much more fortified with zinc, boron and phosphorus which are the best lubricants for metal to metal protection under extreme load, pressure and even break in of a new or rebuilt assembly. I cant not tell if the Toyota sample is semi or full or 100% percent synthetic if someone could jump in on that.

 

Great write up btanchors. I'm getting ready to do my transfer case and diffs. How many liters of the 75W transfer case fluid and redline 75w-85 did you use? Thanks and any other info appreciated.

 

Also, do I need to add anything to the rear diff for LSD?

 

You mentioned the magnetic drain plugs. So....do all 14+ Tundras have magnetic drain plugs in the front and rear diffs and also the transfer case? What about the transmission? Sorry to get off topic

 

I visited the dealership today to pick up the Toyota 75W transfer case fluid. Their response was that they don't keep it in stock or use it. They simply put

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

75W-90 in when they do the fluid changes themselves. They were willing to order it for me but said it was a waste of money and was purely due to mpg and nothing related to any part changes in 2014. Do with that info what you like. I'm giving the 75w-90 a try and will update if there are any issues. I use 4wd often and if there is a problem i should know soon.

 

Not to sound like a jerk at all but I wouldn't use that dealership anymore...

Tell them to look at the tech info that is given and provided to them.

Screen shots attached are directly off the Toyota tech website.

I took my truck into my local dealership that I take for service for everything else. As I'm leaving my transfer case and differential service I noticed that all they used was 7590... I addressed it with them and they said well that's what we use so I let it be until I myself was able to provide the correct information in paper to them. I took it back I even spoke with the service manager, who ironically just had his Tundra serviced as well.... they apologized and they took care of me. Needless to say the 4 x 4 service now for the 2014 and up Toyota Tundras is no longer "cheap" because of that. The reason I had the dealership do it in the first place for me is when I called they said the 4 x 4 service was something ridiculous like $100 and I thought to myself I can't even get the transfer case fluid for $100... so that was an easy choice to have them do it but now I know why it was an expensive. But the dealership was very apologetic and they did take care of me for it and they thanks me for letting them know of the fluid change.

FWIW... every dealership within a 50-mile radius of me I did call and ask them what is entailed in the 4 x 4 service and what fluids they used..... and none of them used the 75 LF.

2nd FWIW... if you call Amsoil or the like and try to find a suitable or interchangeable fluid for the transfer case they will tell you they do not provide one and that you need to go to Toyota.

 

In the end these trucks are all individual property, all one can simply do is simply provide published information and knowledge and it's still the end result for someone to make the decision themselves on what they want to do with their truck.

 

I used amsoil in front. Transfer. And rear with zero issues in my 2014.

 

Attached is their response to my inquiry,

 

Great. Still worked just fine in t case. And I engage mine for hours a week. Do what you like home boy.

 

Hello, I just changed all five lower fluids, engine, rear diff, front diff, trans case and ATF the only magnet was on the front diff lower plug with a 10mm allen.

2015 4x4 CM with 5.7L tow package

 

You buy it brand new, first owner? My 2014 had magnetic drain bolts in both front, transfer, and rear.

 

Yes, bought new off the lot. Further info is engine drain is 14mm with nylon? washer. Rear diff is 18mm with two crush washers. Front diff is 10mm allen with upper at 18mm aluminum washer, lower at 24mm with copper washer and magnet. Trans case is a 3/8 socket both appear similar to a pipe thread with a white sealant on threads 3 and up. ATF is a 14mm plug with nylon? washer and drained 4 quarts exactly cold(60F) and refill a miserable 24mm socket I found to be easier to bend the aluminum shield down and use a half inch socket driver with a 24mm long socket and a small 1/2 inch extension. Gas filter, power steering, coolant and brake bleed coming in a few months. 24mm plug on the fill of the ATF has a o-ring to seal.

 

Since i did this oil change a few months ago I can’t remember exactly which drain plugs had the magnetic plug. But pretty sure the rear and the front did. I just cleaned the drain plugs like normal and kept working.
I did not change or touch the transmission plug so can’t say for that one. Hope that helps and maybe someone else can chime in with more accurate responses.

 

Uhhh.. Fuel filter is in your fuel tank, good luck with that one. I've never run into any Nylon washers or double stacked washers on rear, transfer, front diff, nor engine drain. All single, and metal. I also didn't replace any crush washers, even though it's good practice. But what I have done is snap the engine filter housing twice...and ended up with an all metal one. Which I kept, and will use on my 18 eventually.

 

I appreciate it. My earlier Tacomas all have the small in tank filter and a frame mounted filter. I just replaced all in tank filters and pumps after 17 years and 22 years by removing the 6 bolts from the bed and lifting them off. They had all original parts and it was only done after emissions failures due to the evap charcoal canister.
I will have to look on the tundra if it has a fuel filter on the frame. In all the work yesterday up and down 50 times I forget to look for it.

 

It does not.

 

Thanks Ill write that one off. I did go with a Jowett Performance replacement cap as I keep all my vehicles till their classics. The Fumoto drain valve is a big plus on the filter cap as I ain't getting any younger and I do all my own work.

 

Yeah, those plastic ones tend to fail over time, well, the nibs that the socket fits onto. And when they go, they take a pice of the housing with it, thus a leaky filter cap. No bueno. Plus, the normal service guy torques them way too tight.

 

Yes, After the two years of free service....Engine oil and filter only... Plus useless up sales from the service writers..Every dam bolt, socket, and allen fitting was 2 to three times the torque required. The plastic housing engine oil filter was so tight it took a 1/2 breaker bar and pushing against the tire to get it to move just slightly. I wont and have never taken it to Toyota except for the free stuff and warranty issue.

 

For what it's worth and too echo what a few other folks have said, here are my findings:


I'm looking into doing all the drive train maintenance on my '14 Tundra. The truck has 54k miles so 60k is coming up quick. I just bought it used so not being sure of it's past history and wanting it to last as long as it can (preferably forever), I'm going to change the ATF fluid, diff fluids, and t-case fluid. I love the reliability of Toyotas but it just bites at my better judgement that these fluids are good for a “lifetime”.


I've been researching, until I felt like my eyes were going to bleed, which fluids are best for these maintenance items.


I've called various manufactures (Valvoline, Ravenol, and so on) to determine the best option out there.


I live in York, Pennsylvania.


I called the three big Toyota dealership around me (within 40 miles) to ask them what they use for the transfer case.


All three of the dealership service departments I contacted stated that they put regular ole 75w-90 in the transfer case. At least one service advisor stated that they use “the Toyota fluid” (straight 75 SAE) but only for warranty work.


After reviewing these findings, I can only assume that if one were to run 75-90 in their transfer case that everything would be just fine for a long long time.



I plan on using Ravenol MTF-3 in the transfer case.