Which Differential Oil - 75W-85 or 75W-90? Even Toyota doesn't seem to know.

[Blue Bear]

For those of you who have done this yourself, what would you say the cost was, including the oil and washers? The Car Care Nut (Ahmed) says you should pay for 30 minutes labor if you take it to a shop (he even has a good video showing how to do it yourself). My mechanic quoted me $150 which I believe is a full hour. I’ve been going to him forever and he’s awesome but I think a full hour seems a little high. But seeing what some of you guys are paying for oil, washers, etc., I’m wondering if I should just have him do it. I don’t have a lift and climbing around under the truck is becoming less fun with every birthday. There’s no way I trust my local dealership. They’re terrible and I’ve caught them cutting corners too many times. But I’ve been changing oil in the LC and it’s super easy. I used to do the gear oils on my 4Runner and it was always easy. But the 4Runner was much easier to climb under than the LC

Is $150 to change one, two, or three fluids? Is it $150 including the materials (washers & fluids)? The diff fluid from Amsoil is around $18-$22/quart and you'll use about 7 quarts of fluid. The transfer case fluid from Red Line is around $23/quart and you need less than two quarts. The crush washers can be bought as set for about $16 from Amazon (but, you may be able to get equivalents for less.)

I would expect the total cost for a mechanic to change all three (front diff, rear diff, and transfer case) to be at least $400. I'm pretty happy to do these changes on my own because all three are a drain and fill only.

Here is a link to the thread on Front/Rear Diff Fluid Replacement

Here is some info I posted in that thread:

Differential Fluid: Amsoil Severe Gear 75W-85 (often out of stock, so plan ahead.)

Transfer case fluid: Red Line MT-LV

For the LC:

The Red Line lists compatibility with the following Toyota/Lexus parts:

Toyota MT Gear Oil LV 75W
Toyota 08885-81007
Toyota 08885-81040
Toyota/Lexus transfer case fluid "Genuine Gear Oil LF 75W“ 08885-81080
Toyota/Scion Manual Transmission Oil LV
Toyota/Scion 08885-81001

 

[Madscientist]

I think you'll need 10 quarts of oil (6 for rear diff, 2 for front diff, 2 for transfer case); said oil price varies, but on average seems to be about $20/quart, so $200. Crush washers about $10-20. If you don't have a pump/syringe, expect to spend another $20-40. Your labor is free!

 

[Blue Bear]

I think you'll need 10 quarts of oil (6 for rear diff, 2 for front diff, 2 for transfer case); said oil price varies, but on average seems to be about $20/quart, so $200. Crush washers about $10-20. If you don't have a pump/syringe, expect to spend another $20-40. Your labor is free!

I only used 7 quarts total for front and rear diff (front uses less than two and rear uses less than 6. Combined, they use really close to 7 quarts.) Having said that, I bought a case of the Amsoil 75W-85, so I wasn't too worried about having the eighth quart to ensure I had enough fluid.

 

[ptahkeem]

Anyone done the transfer case yet with the Ravenol or third party equivalent LF 75W equivalent? Having a hard time stomaching the price of the Toyota fluid but also wonder if there’s some special additive package that our tcase needs

 

[Blue Bear]

Anyone done the transfer case yet with the Ravenol or third party equivalent LF 75W equivalent? Having a hard time stomaching the price of the Toyota fluid but also wonder if there’s some special additive package that our tcase needs

I used the Red Line MT-LV with no issues.

 

[Madscientist]

Yes, I changed transfer case oil about a month ago with Ravenol and it drives as it should.

 

[wpage]

Most transfer case oil changes are required or at least recomended at 50K..
Unless under extreme use.

 

[t3lcfe]

4 yrs old video, but I think it is still very useful for many of us

75w85 or 75w90 ? 75w90 will damage the gears ?

 

[t3lcfe]

Mystery solved? I contacted Eric at Ed Martin Toyota in Indy and asked him the same question. To my surprise, within a few minutes of sending him a message via the dealer website, Eric calls me. Actually, given my experience with Ed Martin and Eric in particular, I really shouldn't have been surprised. Eric checked with his parts department and found that the 75W-85 is available at Ed Martin and they use the Toyota fluid in their service department. (They don't make available online due to concerns about shipping fluids). BTW - the fluid is expensive. Really expensive...around $60/quart. Ouch.

The lesson learned is that not all dealerships are created equal. Some, like my local dealership (St. Louis area, IL side), just use whatever is cheapest for them. At one time I could go to this same dealership and they had the best parts guy. He left and every parts counter person since has been well below average. If you live on the IL side, you probably know the dealership that gave me the incorrect information.

If you live anywhere in the Indianapolis area and use a dealer for service, then go to Ed Martin. And, say hi to Eric - he's a genuine Toyota enthusiast and car guy. Eric usually sits at the front desk as you enter the dealership. What GM does that?

Here's a pic of the appropriate fluid from Eric:

View attachment 37683

$60/quart ?! $60 x 8 quarts = $480 ! Is that oil made from 9999 GOLD ?
Use this instead:
8 quarts = $150

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LOJT8UI/?tag=landcruiserforum-20

 

[t3lcfe]

Redline Synthetic MT-LV. MT-LV 70W/75W GL-4 Gear Oil is listed as an OEM replacement for the Toyota 75W. I used this in manual transmission Tacomas for the transfer case and transmission without issue and made them smoother shifting too.

Yes, GL-4 is for Manual Transmission. LC transmission is automatic, why using GL-4 for LC transfer case ? Transfer case oil and transmission oil are 2 different things ?
I think GL-5 used for differential AND transfer case. GL-4 used for manual transmission because of soft-metal gears.

 

[Sugarloafer80]

The more important number is GL-5. You don't want to use GL-4 here....

 

[t3lcfe]

The more important number is GL-5. You don't want to use GL-4 here....

• For FRONT and REAR DIFFERENTIAL: GL-5 75w85 (or option GL-5 75w90. 90 is just a bit thicker=more protection, but “unmeasurable” lower MPG)
• For TRANSFER CASE: Toyota genuine transfer gear oil LF or equivalent SAE 75w
SAE 75w can be GL-5 and/or GL-4

GL-4 is commonly for manual transmission where soft yellow metal (brass synchronizers) material parts made. GL-4 will not corrode those soft metal parts
Per my research, in LC250 modern full-Tim 4WD transfer case uses more resilient materials.
BIG question: does it need GL-4 ?!?

 

[Blue Sky]

Being a person who prefers to do my own work, I have a hard time paying someone else to these easy maintenance items but something to consider; I have a 20K service coming up and for kicks, checked pricing on a transfer case and F/R diff. oil change with my dealership in downtown Denver and they quoted me $320 or $360 (can't remember the exact quote) to do a "4X4 service" which included all three changes.
With the vehicle being so new and having 100k warranty attached to it, I like the peace of mind having it recorded in the Toyota service records, I thought this was a very reasonable quote and booked the service.

*The 8qts of AMSOIL 75w85 I have will go into backstock for a change at a later date.

 

[Bad1975]

The more important number is GL-5. You don't want to use GL-4 here....

Wrong, do not use GL-5 in the transfer case! It is spec'd for GL-4 and the GL-5 will destroy the brass components in the transfer case in very short order. The seals will then fail and it will begin leaking, long term the bearings will be destroyed and beyond.

Unless you want to have the transfer case rebuilt or replaced put GL-4 spec'd SAE 75 or a Multi-grade 75W-X.

 

[NoMe cruiser]

Wrong, do not use GL-5 in the transfer case! It is spec'd for GL-4.

I’m not seeing GL-4 spec’d in the manual. Could you please show where GL-4 is spec’d?

 

[t3lcfe]

I’m not seeing GL-4 spec’d in the manual. Could you please show where GL-4 is spec’d?

Man so confused !
For Front and Rear Diff, it calls out clearly GL-5, but for Transfer Case, it is just Toyota genuine Transfer Gear oil LF or equivalent SAE 75w. Why it doesn’t call out either GL-4 or GL-5 (kidding me … )

Searched through internet, the is NO answer if Toyota Genuine Transfer Case oil LF is GL-4 or GL-5 ( damn it

SAE 75w can be Gl-4 and Gl-5 ! Really ?!

——> I may just go with Toyota genuine oil LF ( whatever “stupid” GL in there…probably GL-4.5 joke )

FYI: my Gwagon use SAME GL-5 75w85 (75w90) for all Diff AND Transfer Case. Simple !

 

[Bad1975]

I have no Toyota specific documentation, but all the available alternatives are GL-4 (Ravenol MTF-3 75W and Redline MT-LV) which suggests these respected manufacturers know that the Toyota fluid is GL-4 rated or at least the GL-4 is the safer bet. Also the transfer case has Sulfur susceptible metals in it so I won't put a GL-5 in mine.

There is a lot of discussion online that so called Modern GL-5 Sulfur/Yellow metal safe fluids are fine. I've seen this personally within the last two years. That was not the case and it took less than 1000 miles of using GL-5 where GL-4 should have been used in order to cause seal failure and synchronizer wear metals present in the fluid, neither or which were present before the change. This was my trans and xfer that I grab the wrong fluid off my shelf for by mistake. That transmission and transfer case couldn't be fully rebuilt due to age and non availability of all required replacement parts, it was caught early enough, fully torn down and repaired/replaced what could be and is still going to this day, but I sold those on and did a 5 speed swap along with an updated xfer case.

I've been using Redline MT-LV for 20k ish now on the 250 without incident and just like the diffs at just 1000 miles there was a large chunk of black moly looking sludge on the magnetic drain plug, which is wear metals.

If one can't decide between a GL-4 or GL-5 I suggest they stick with the Toyota LF75W rather than risk xfer case destruction, one can buy a lot of it much cheaper than a new xfer case.

Other than sulfur the only other major difference between the two is friction modifiers, GL-4 is better for Synchros and GL-5 is more slippery and is rated for more extreme pressure such as diff gears that tightly mesh (Many a diff survived before GL-5 existed and many a soft metal has been eroded by GL-5).

 

[t3lcfe]

I have no Toyota specific documentation, but all the available alternatives are GL-4 (Ravenol MTF-3 75W and Redline MT-LV) which suggests these respected manufacturers know that the Toyota fluid is GL-4 rated or at least the GL-4 is the safer bet. Also the transfer case has Sulfur susceptible metals in it so I won't put a GL-5 in mine.

There is a lot of discussion online that so called Modern GL-5 Sulfur/Yellow metal safe fluids are fine. I've seen this personally within the last two years. That was not the case and it took less than 1000 miles of using GL-5 where GL-4 should have been used in order to cause seal failure and synchronizer wear metals present in the fluid, neither or which were present before the change. This was my trans and xfer that I grab the wrong fluid off my shelf for by mistake. That transmission and transfer case couldn't be fully rebuilt due to age and non availability of all required replacement parts, it was caught early enough, fully torn down and repaired/replaced what could be and is still going to this day, but I sold those on and did a 5 speed swap along with an updated xfer case.

I've been using Redline MT-LV for 20k ish now on the 250 without incident and just like the diffs at just 1000 miles there was a large chunk of black moly looking sludge on the magnetic drain plug, which is wear metals.

If one can't decide between a GL-4 or GL-5 I suggest they stick with the Toyota LF75W rather than risk xfer case destruction, one can buy a lot of it much cheaper than a new xfer case.

Other than sulfur the only other major difference between the two is friction modifiers, GL-4 is better for Synchros and GL-5 is more slippery and is rated for more extreme pressure such as diff gears that tightly mesh (Many a diff survived before GL-5 existed and many a soft metal has been eroded by GL-5).

There is reason why Toyota doesn’t call out clearly GL number for TC…( if it is GL-4, just list GL-4), but at same page they “crystal clear” says GL-5 for Front and Rear Differential.
GL-4 probably is not 100% correct ! But “reasonable” (?). Toyota made that special oil LF75w with special GL number (not gl4 nor gl5)
Thanks Bad1975 for your detail sharing experience!
I personally will go with Toyota genuine oil LF for TC (only 2 quart ) I don’t want to save $50 for the expensive/value LC but keep the “worry” in my head for next 30k miles (or 15k miles least)

 

[EOD Guy]

To add to the confusion....... Part # 08885-01806 is no longer available, which begs the question........ why?

 

[Sugarloafer80]

There is reason why Toyota doesn’t call out clearly GL number for TC…( if it is GL-4, just list GL-4), but at same page they “crystal clear” says GL-5 for Front and Rear Differential.
GL-4 probably is not 100% correct ! But “reasonable” (?). Toyota made that special oil LF75w with special GL number (not gl4 nor gl5)
Thanks Bad1975 for your detail sharing experience!
I personally will go with Toyota genuine oil LF for TC (only 2 quart )

And who makes it for Toyota. This is a bad as John Deere and Kubota bs