What type of oil for transfer case and diff? 1999 5VZFE AT 4WD
12-01-2014, 07:07 AM
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What type of oil for transfer case and diff? 1999 5VZFE AT 4WD
I have searched around on this for quite a while and can't seem to find a very straight answer. The owner's manual for the '00 Taco (I don't have the manual for my '99, but I'm assuming the '00 has the same fluid specs because I believe they're the same generation) says the following:
So, to me, that seems completely unclear when it comes to a couple of things. First, I've read that GL5 fluids can destroy softer metals in systems that were designed for GL4, so it seems odd to me that the transfer case can take either GL4 or GL5. Second, for the diff oil type, I really don't follow the reasoning behind what Toyota has written. Maybe I just don't understand the intricacies of oil grade specs, but SAE 90, SAE 80W, and 80W-90 do not seem distinguishable to me.
I have seen threads where guys have just gone with 75W-90 GL5 all the way around, but I honestly can't tell if that's what the manual is recommending. Everyone seems to have a different preference on this (some guys run 75w-110, some 75w-140, some 80w-90, some 80w-140, etc). I really just want to know the simple answer of what the manual is recommending. Can I go 75w-90 all the way around? That's my best guess, but I don't really want to guess at something like this and blow up my diff. Fyi, I will be operating in temps above -18*C at least 99% of the time.
Transfer
Oil capacity, L (qt., lmp. qt.): 1.0 (1.1, 0.9)
Oil Type: Gear oil API GL-4 or GL-5
Recommended oil viscosity: SAE 75W-90
Differential
Oil Capacity, L (qt., lmp. qt.):
Two-wheel drive.... blah blah blah
Four-wheel drive vehicles and Pre-Runner
Front (except Pre-Runner)
ADD 1.15 (1.2, 1.0)
Except ADD 1.1 (1.2, 1.0)
Rear
Short wheel base
With rear diff lock 2.65 (2.8, 2.3)
W/O rear diff lock 2.55 (2.7, 2.2)
Extra long wheel base
With rear diff lock 2.95 (3.1, 2.6)
W/O rear diff lock 2.45 (2.6, 2.2)
Oil Type:
Hypoid Gear Oil API GL-5
Recommended oil viscosity:
Front
ADD - SAE 75W-90
Except ADD - Above -18*C SAE 90, Below -18*C SAE 80W or 80W-90
Rear
Above -18*C SAE 90, Below -18*C SAE 80W or 80W-90
Oil capacity, L (qt., lmp. qt.): 1.0 (1.1, 0.9)
Oil Type: Gear oil API GL-4 or GL-5
Recommended oil viscosity: SAE 75W-90
Differential
Oil Capacity, L (qt., lmp. qt.):
Two-wheel drive.... blah blah blah
Four-wheel drive vehicles and Pre-Runner
Front (except Pre-Runner)
ADD 1.15 (1.2, 1.0)
Except ADD 1.1 (1.2, 1.0)
Rear
Short wheel base
With rear diff lock 2.65 (2.8, 2.3)
W/O rear diff lock 2.55 (2.7, 2.2)
Extra long wheel base
With rear diff lock 2.95 (3.1, 2.6)
W/O rear diff lock 2.45 (2.6, 2.2)
Oil Type:
Hypoid Gear Oil API GL-5
Recommended oil viscosity:
Front
ADD - SAE 75W-90
Except ADD - Above -18*C SAE 90, Below -18*C SAE 80W or 80W-90
Rear
Above -18*C SAE 90, Below -18*C SAE 80W or 80W-90
So, to me, that seems completely unclear when it comes to a couple of things. First, I've read that GL5 fluids can destroy softer metals in systems that were designed for GL4, so it seems odd to me that the transfer case can take either GL4 or GL5. Second, for the diff oil type, I really don't follow the reasoning behind what Toyota has written. Maybe I just don't understand the intricacies of oil grade specs, but SAE 90, SAE 80W, and 80W-90 do not seem distinguishable to me.
I have seen threads where guys have just gone with 75W-90 GL5 all the way around, but I honestly can't tell if that's what the manual is recommending. Everyone seems to have a different preference on this (some guys run 75w-110, some 75w-140, some 80w-90, some 80w-140, etc). I really just want to know the simple answer of what the manual is recommending. Can I go 75w-90 all the way around? That's my best guess, but I don't really want to guess at something like this and blow up my diff. Fyi, I will be operating in temps above -18*C at least 99% of the time.
Last edited by johnnyb588; 12-01-2014 at 08:22 AM. Reason: fix formatting
12-01-2014, 07:48 AM
#3
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I've used Mobil1 75w/90 gear oil in the transfer case and both diffs for nearly 14 years (truck purchased new).
I change it every 50,000 miles and am now at 318,000 miles.
No issues whatsoever.
Andreas
I change it every 50,000 miles and am now at 318,000 miles.
No issues whatsoever.
Andreas
12-01-2014, 08:24 AM
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Excellent, thanks guys. I think I'm just going to go with the Mobil 1 75w-90 GL5. It seems to be the most commonly used and it's readily available locally.
12-01-2014, 08:53 AM
#5
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I tried to adhere to the specs 100% and gave up when I couldn't find 90 weight gear oil locally, even from Toyota dealerships (they said they use drums of 75w-90). Been running synthetic 75w-90 and it's been great.
12-01-2014, 06:33 PM
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I've got a new issue I need some advice on. Please forgive me if I don't really know my terminology, I'm a big time noob who hasn't taken as good of care of his truck as he should have, but is trying to turn over a new leaf. Please see the pics for reference.
I appear to have a leak from a seal between the transfer case and the propeller shaft that goes toward the rear diff. My transfer case was caked pretty badly (you can see very clearly the difference between where I rubbed off the grime and where I didn't), and there's definitely some fresh fluid where the shaft meets the case. My question is, is this something I should fix, or is it not worth the time as long as I'm keeping up with regular fluid changes and making sure fluids aren't running low. My second question, I guess, is what type of fluid is this? Is it gear oil? And my third question is, am I totally off and the leak is coming from somewhere else? I think the third option is a distinct possibility because virtually everything down there is caked in goop, and a lot of the crap is even above that joint where the prop shaft meets the transfer case. I know I have leaky valve covers, but that's just something I put up with (for the time being, at least). Is engine oil making it all the way down there? Something else I haven't even thought of?
I appear to have a leak from a seal between the transfer case and the propeller shaft that goes toward the rear diff. My transfer case was caked pretty badly (you can see very clearly the difference between where I rubbed off the grime and where I didn't), and there's definitely some fresh fluid where the shaft meets the case. My question is, is this something I should fix, or is it not worth the time as long as I'm keeping up with regular fluid changes and making sure fluids aren't running low. My second question, I guess, is what type of fluid is this? Is it gear oil? And my third question is, am I totally off and the leak is coming from somewhere else? I think the third option is a distinct possibility because virtually everything down there is caked in goop, and a lot of the crap is even above that joint where the prop shaft meets the transfer case. I know I have leaky valve covers, but that's just something I put up with (for the time being, at least). Is engine oil making it all the way down there? Something else I haven't even thought of?
Last edited by johnnyb588; 12-01-2014 at 06:38 PM.
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