I noticed Toyota changes the rear diff fluid spec for 2004. Now you're supposed to run straight 90w in the rear for temps above freezing, and 80w-90 for temps below freezing. So, I went looking for 90w.

Dealer was a no go (tried 2). They had 80w-90 only.

NAPA - no dice. Guy looked at me like I was an a**hole until I showed him the damn book.

Kragen - why did I bother? I should know better.

Anyone know where to get this mystical crap? Would running 80w-90 be a bad thing? Anyone know why they went from 75w-90 to 90w like this?

Bah. STANDARDIZE, DAMMIT! (this is like the red/pink coolant fiasco)

 

I don't see why 80W-90 wont work. I talked to a parts guy at the dealer last year. I was looking for 80W-90 for my rear diff and could only find 75W-90. He nonchalantly said, "Oh we don't use 80W-90, we put 75W-90 in everything." I seriously doubt they have changed since then.

 

Dude, I'm not trying to be a jerk, but the owners manual specifically *says* 90w above 0 degrees F. So yes, they did change it. Whether the dealers are clued in enough to follow along is another question.

I guess I'll keep calling around.

 

I don't mean "They" as in the Toyota corporation, I meant "they" as in the dealer I went to hasn't changed. If that's what you want to put in it, I understand, but my point was 80W-90 should be work just fine.

 

I use redline 75w90 in my rear diff good stuff.

 

toyota probably uses 80w90 at the dealership...

i don't think you'd be hurting anything running 80w90. my owners manual says to run 20w40 oil in my engine above 10*F

 

Gotcha. Yeah, you're probably right. Oh well. Still, I wish they'd just find a spec and hang onto it. I mean, what the hell changed in the e-locker rear end between 03 and 04???? Probably nothing. Someone probably got a bright idea and decided to fubar it for everyone else.