$80/liter transfer case oil

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Sajan said:
My TC fluid was filthy dark after 13000 miles (previous shop used the 80w90 from Oreily's). Let's see how this new Ravenol fluid I put in is after 15,000.
Green container is TC.
Jug is front diff.

View attachment 4104135

View attachment 4104136
Click to expand...

That is very dark. I rarely see fluid that dark from a transfer case. Rear diff? Yes. TC? Almost never.
What the hell happened??
 
Finally received the new Toyota 75W oil analysis. Below is a table comparing all relevant products that I could find data.
1777066776379.webp


My takeaways:

- Toyota fluid has a substantial additive package for anti-wear and anti-corrosion
- New Toyota fluid is similar make-up as old fluid
- Redline Oil has similar levels of anti-wear and anti-corrosion additives, but is different than Toyota (calcium vs magnesium).

Lots of Calcium vs Magnesium discussion on the interwebs for detergents and anti-wear properties if folks want to learn, just note that engine oil characteristics/demands is different than gear oil characteristics/demands. I am definitely not an expert in this realm, so no offer of opinion from me.

Big note is that the Ravenol has much lower values for the additive package for anti-wear and detergents. Likely also reflected in the lower cost of Ravenol.
 
Thanks for posting appreciate it!
 
UPR LC said:
Finally received the new Toyota 75W oil analysis. Below is a table comparing all relevant products that I could find data.
View attachment 4128388

My takeaways:

- Toyota fluid has a substantial additive package for anti-wear and anti-corrosion
- New Toyota fluid is similar make-up as old fluid
- Redline Oil has similar levels of anti-wear and anti-corrosion additives, but is different than Toyota (calcium vs magnesium).

Lots of Calcium vs Magnesium discussion on the interwebs for detergents and anti-wear properties if folks want to learn, just note that engine oil characteristics/demands is different than gear oil characteristics/demands. I am definitely not an expert in this realm, so no offer of opinion from me.

Big note is that the Ravenol has much lower values for the additive package for anti-wear and detergents. Likely also reflected in the lower cost of Ravenol.
Click to expand...
Fed the picture to Claude.
Looking at this comparison chart for the 2021 Land Cruiser transfer case, here's what stands out:

Key Differences​

Toyota OEM 75W LF (New Formula, 4/15/2026) This is the current Toyota factory fill. It has very high Magnesium (1496) and Phosphorus (2609), which are the primary anti-wear additives. Low Calcium (18) means it uses a magnesium-based detergent system rather than calcium. This is a relatively thin oil at 6.42 cSt @ 100°C.

Ravenol 75W MTF Much lower additive levels across the board — Phosphorus only 569, Zinc only 24. It relies more on Calcium (238) as a detergent. Thicker at 7.06 cSt. A more traditional gear oil additive package that doesn't closely mimic Toyota's chemistry.

Redline MT-LV 70W/75W Uses a Calcium-based detergent system (3233 ppm!) with moderate Phosphorus (2056) and Zinc (2321). Thinner viscosity (6.24 cSt). The chemistry is quite different from Toyota OEM.

Redline MTL 75W80 Similar Calcium-heavy approach (3693 ppm), thicker at 10.2 cSt — likely too thick for a transfer case spec'd for 75W.

Redline MT-90 75W90 Noticeably thicker (14.3 cSt) with high Lead (3) and Tin (6), suggesting older additive technology. Probably too thick for your application.

My Recommendation for a 2018 Land Cruiser​

Best choice: Toyota OEM 75W LF (New Formula) — it's the exact spec Toyota designed for this transfer case, and the new formula was just tested in April 2026. Nothing beats the factory chemistry match.

Acceptable aftermarket: Redline MT-LV 70W/75W — closest viscosity to OEM, no fuel/water/insolubles contamination, and it has solid anti-wear numbers. The Calcium-heavy additive package is different from Toyota's Mg/P approach, but Redline is well-regarded for transfer cases.

Avoid the Ravenol MTF (too few additives), Redline MTL (too thick), and MT-90 (way too thick) for a transfer case application.
Click to expand...
Lol. Guess I will grab the Toyota fluid during the next sale.
 
UPR LC said:
Finally received the new Toyota 75W oil analysis. Below is a table comparing all relevant products that I could find data.
View attachment 4128388

My takeaways:

- Toyota fluid has a substantial additive package for anti-wear and anti-corrosion
- New Toyota fluid is similar make-up as old fluid
- Redline Oil has similar levels of anti-wear and anti-corrosion additives, but is different than Toyota (calcium vs magnesium).

Lots of Calcium vs Magnesium discussion on the interwebs for detergents and anti-wear properties if folks want to learn, just note that engine oil characteristics/demands is different than gear oil characteristics/demands. I am definitely not an expert in this realm, so no offer of opinion from me.

Big note is that the Ravenol has much lower values for the additive package for anti-wear and detergents. Likely also reflected in the lower cost of Ravenol.
Click to expand...
Ultimately what really matters though, is actual wear, which is reflected in the metal found in the samples. Additives, no additives, magic, whatever...what counts is the number of particles that are found "contaminating" the lubricant.
 
The transfer cases with lubrication-related damage, that I’ve seen, are almost always from little to no fluid, or water contamination. I’ve seen more than a handful filled with ATF and they were just fine—although I’m not sure how long it was in there.
 
UPR LC said:
Finally received the new Toyota 75W oil analysis. Below is a table comparing all relevant products that I could find data.
View attachment 4128388

My takeaways:

- Toyota fluid has a substantial additive package for anti-wear and anti-corrosion
- New Toyota fluid is similar make-up as old fluid
- Redline Oil has similar levels of anti-wear and anti-corrosion additives, but is different than Toyota (calcium vs magnesium).

Lots of Calcium vs Magnesium discussion on the interwebs for detergents and anti-wear properties if folks want to learn, just note that engine oil characteristics/demands is different than gear oil characteristics/demands. I am definitely not an expert in this realm, so no offer of opinion from me.

Big note is that the Ravenol has much lower values for the additive package for anti-wear and detergents. Likely also reflected in the lower cost of Ravenol.
Click to expand...
Good stuff right here, thanks for doing this. Looks like the new vs old is similar enough that once I’ve exhausted my stock of unicorn tears I’ll make the jump to the new version…I’ll miss that metal can though.
 
Where do you find the new 75W online? I a not having any luck using the Toyota parts locator. Thx!
 
All this hoopla to save ~50 bucks. hahah we are dumb.

Ravenol 21$
Toyota 48$

When I ordered ravenol, i couldn't find the original toyota fluid. only after ordering did i realize there was a new version and part #.
either way I will just do another drain/fill in 15K miles.
 
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