Rear Differential Gear Oil Recommendation

Howdy,

Toyota dealer too far and blows a day of work for me.

So what would be as good or better option for Rear Differential Gear Oil I could find at AutoZone or O'Reilly's?

I saw a couple threads about it draining pretty dirty in short order and I was towing a lot so figure a good simple maintenance.

Thanks,
Greg

 

Mobile one is good stuff. I’m running royal purple but I have a couple 5 qt jugs of M1 to service my diffs later. I think some people run red line as well as Amsoil. But M1 is readily available and good stuff.

 

Thanks!

So LT 75W-85 GL-5 or equivalent...

I guess they are not LSD so no need for an LSD specific.

Dang that pumpkin hold a gallon of lube!

Thanks!

G

 

Used Mobile 1 75w 90. You should be able to find locally.

 

Oriellys carries redline as well in my area. Surprisingly few options for a chain store

 

Never used Red Line..

Is it a premium on par with Mobil 1?

 

@ARamirez73

 

I just put Valvoline Synthetic 75W90 in my Crewmax

 

25% off on 150 or more with free shipping to home. I did front and rear except the transfer case. I just added stuff on my cart to hit that 150 minimum.

 

I like Amsoil and run 75-140 in the front diff. I think thicker is better for towing. Because of the ARB locker in the rear it's not a syn and I run Lucas 85-140.

 

Actually im half asleep. I meant lucas oil. Thats the local stock up here

 

Advertised as a premium, will cost more than M1. M1 should meet or exceed your needs. Changing regular is the key.

 

I like Schaeffer oil. My local gear shop uses it. Schaeffer makes a 80-140w I use in my rear diff that has an Auburn LSD. Nitro Gears branded oil is also Schaeffer.

 

I concur on the Valvoline. The only Mobil 1 I use is engine oil and having second thoughts about it.

 

I just changed mine. Rear and front. 52,000 miles. I don't tow anything other than my motorbike trailer (with bike) occasionally. I used Red Line 75-90. Cuz I'm a big Red Line (boutique oil company) fan.

 

Here’s some good reading about the common 75w90 gear oils.

https://www.lastgreatroadtrip.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/gear-oil-comparison.pdf

Edit. I run Mobil 1 in my toyota diffs and transfer cases for 10 years and after reading that I’m okay with it.

 

Thanks for the research article! Looks like Amsoil is the best!
I used Red Line for my fluid swap in May 2019 on my 2015.

 

Yeah it was a pretty good eye opener as far as quality of some oils.
I was happy I found the article again. I only read it once about a year ago.

 

Amsoil severe gear 75-90.

 

Redline Heavy Shockproof. Especially if you're running a locker. Flows like 75-90 but with a film strength of 250wt. Pricey but really quieted down the ratcheting of my Spartan locker.

 

I changed my rear diff oil today. Went to the dealer to get crush washer and the guy said they use 75w90 in diffs and T-case for tundras....even though Toyota calls for 75w85 in diffs and 75w in the transfer case.
I went with 3.8 quarts of Mobil 1 oil for the rear diff and will do the same in the front and i think the front take 1.6 quarts. I still think I will order some 75w for the T case, it only takes 2 quarts so even though its pricey I'll go with Toyota recommends for that oil, the 75w90 is close enough for the diffs but much different that 75w from what I have read.

It was an easy job. One tip that I am sure you have all heard before is to make sure you can loosen the fill plug before you drain the fluid out. You don't wanna end up with an empty differential and no way to fill it.

 

Yeah I wouldn’t worry about anything using the 75W 90 in the diffs. But the guy at the dealership is a complete moron. It “was” OK to use the same stuff from your differentials in your transfer case until they changed the transfer case in either 2014 or 15. Now it’s 75W. If your transfer case has pipe plugs for drain and fill, it’s the new unit that requires 75W. If the dealer is really putting in differential gear oil in these new transfer cases, it may come to bite them in the ass. But knowing them they will still get the customer to pay for the future repair.

I can tell you firsthand what happens when you put in the wrong stuff, it will not disengage properly, it will stick in 4 hi until a slight turn is made. I promptly changed it out for 75W end is working flawlessly again. What’s unknown here is what could happen long-term using the wrong fluid. Probably minimal for people who don’t use it much. It’s possible there could be very few ramifications, but I just find it completely ridiculous that the dealer won’t even follow manufacture specs.

 

Thanks for the reply Sean. I was a little baffled by him saying 75w90 was okay in the T case too, I get that its close enough for the diffs but that's way off from 75w . I'm glad I didn't do what they recommended. Like I said I plan to get some 75w for the T case, I just need to find some now. I think I saw Ravenol and redline make 75w. What brand did you use?
I haven't looked at my T case very well so I'm not sure what the drain and fill plugs look like. I do know that the dealer did NOT have any part numbers for crush washers or gaskets for tanger care plugs, so it must be the type you're talking about. I will have to dig into some research on this.

 

I used the Ravenol. There are a couple threads here And some people advise against it. But a few of us have been using it without any problems. The safest bet is to use the Toyota stuff if you’re concerned.

Sorry for the crooked picture but this is what your T case should look like. The lower pipe plug with the 1/2” square drive and the other one is the fill on the right hand side of the T. case.

No crush washers required.

 

Thank you very much. That pic is perfect. I'll order up some of the Ravenol. I think it said 2.2 quarts

 

@Pudge Little more background for you.
https://www.tundras.com/threads/tranfer-case-lubrication-requirements-2014-and-above.10129/

https://www.tundras.com/threads/diff-t-case-fluids.36629/
Just want you to be informed before you make your decision.

 

I use the conventional 85W-140 I find at O'Riellys. Red Line and Royal Purple can keep their $20 per quart gear oil...

 

Thank you! I think I will order this?

RAVENOL J1C1003 SAE 75W Gear Oil - MTF-3 Full Synthetic (1 Liter)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00QPCL7ZE/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=A3NWHGHN360KCD&psc=1

 

Looks the same
Ravenol J1C1003 SAE 75W Manual Transmission Fluid - MTF-3 Full Synthetic (1 Liter)

RAVENOL J1C1003 SAE 75W Gear Oil - MTF-3 Full Synthetic (1 Liter)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QPCL7ZE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_SmyFDbA9BNZW1

 

Looks like Royal Purple sucks...