DIY Transfer Case Fluid Change How-To (5 Viewers)

[OUbobcat20]

I am doing front diff, rear diff, and transfer case this weekend on my 99 TLC.

Is it okay to use 80w-90 gear oil on all three of these changes? Or is it necesarry to use 75w-90 in the transfer case and 80w-90 in the diffs?

Indianapolis, IN. Cold winters, midwest summers, a couple of long 4000-5000 mile road trips out west with light/moderate wheeling.

@Cypher @hankinid

 

[2003lx470]

Excellent write up and saved

 

[hankinid]

I am doing front diff, rear diff, and transfer case this weekend on my 99 TLC.

Is it okay to use 80w-90 gear oil on all three of these changes? Or is it necesarry to use 75w-90 in the transfer case and 80w-90 in the diffs?

80W-90 works perfectly on xfer and diffs.

Steve

 

[apdxyk]

Guys, I would like to add yet another oil to the recommended ones already. I use Chevron Delo ESI 80W-90.

I buy it at a local distributor (Carson Oil in Portland, OR) - it is not a retail product. the only non-syn that I know of that is certified for 500k miles in OTR trucks. Comes out very cheap, something like $60 for a 12 x 1-quart box. Doesn't come in gallon containers, only pails and drums besides quart bottles. A rare non-syn gear oil can be Gl-4, GL-5 and MT certified. This one is. An outstanding product.

Added:
you can also shop for Mobil Delvac 75W-90 - one the best on the market.
Wider kinematic viscosity range (naturally, as more PAO in its base, higher viscosity index, etc)
Ideal for really cold winters with its lower pour point.

You can use either of those for all three fluid drains: both differentials and the transfer case.
Both are extended drain interval gear oils.

Chevron Delo ESI actually superior at 40C, a toss-up overall through the whole range. M1 Delvac may be better at the very low and very high edges of the range and is gentler for the seals at extreme temps in the long-long run

 

[OUbobcat20]

Will a 15/16" socket suffice on the drain and fill plugs like in the differential fluid exchange write ups?

In that write up it calls for 24mm but they recommend the 15/16"

I imagine these are all the same size bolts?

 

[blatant]

thanks for this, amazed at the wealth of info on here and the continual resurrection of oldie but goody threads

 

[hankinid]

Will a 15/16" socket suffice on the drain and fill plugs like in the differential fluid exchange write ups?

In that write up it calls for 24mm but they recommend the 15/16"

I imagine these are all the same size bolts?

It actually fits just a bit tighter than the 24mm. I've used 15/16" over the 5 years I've owned my LX with zero issues.

Steve

 

[mgilvan]

does toyota makes magnet plugs ? or i can buy it from regular car part shop?

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

does toyota makes magnet plugs ? or i can buy it from regular car part shop?

Diffs should have mag plugs but you can buy 10mm hex flush plugs from Toyota with or without mags also

 

[SmoothLC]

Will a 15/16" socket suffice on the drain and fill plugs like in the differential fluid exchange write ups?

In that write up it calls for 24mm but they recommend the 15/16"

I imagine these are all the same size bolts?

Like @hankinid wrote, 15/16" works fine and is a little tight, but the bolts are 24mm.

Edit: Oh - and get new crush washers. Especially if the bolts haven't been removed in a while and are, uh, crushed. They'll give it a good seal.

 

[Memphis]

Can I use Valvoline 75 90 full synthetic? For all 3 front diff rear diff and transfer case?

Autozone is running a special.

 

[hankinid]

Can I use Valvoline 75 90 full synthetic? For all 3 front diff rear diff and transfer case?

Autozone is running a special.

No issues I've seen nor heard about as to 75W-90 full synthetic for all 3...I use M1 or Valvoline, whichever one is on sale.

hth

Steve

 

[Memphis]

No issues I've seen nor heard about as to 75W-90 full synthetic for all 3...I use M1 or Valvoline, whichever one is on sale.

hth

Steve

Thank You so much for your Reply. I went and picked it up last night. Going to do the service today on all 3.

 

[TriArcher]

Try not to get too much gear oil on your favorite ball cap, it stinks for a loooong time.

 

[YotaV8]

hmm, I just put 2 quarts into the rear diff and still cannot feel the level at the fill hole? ok or not?

 

[TriArcher]

hmm, I just put 2 quarts into the rear diff and still cannot feel the level at the fill hole? ok or not?

The rear diff holds more like 4-4.5 quarts

 

[2003lx470]

hmm, I just put 2 quarts into the rear diff and still cannot feel the level at the fill hole? ok or not?

Keep adding until fluid comes out. Make sure that vehicle is level.

 

[YotaV8]

...aaannnndd back to NAPA!

 

[Greenbean]

So evidently I am going to service my transfer case and diffs real soon.

Reading in here it seems it's okay to use 80w-90 gear oil in all three.

I'll get new washers for the diffs and the two others for the T/C. Might even get some new 10mm flush plugs too.

My FIRST question is my 2000 obviously doesn't have LSDs as it has ATRAC, so if I can only find gear oil with the LSD label is this OK?
Whats the difference?

My SECOND question is with my mileage closing in on 437K do I need to buy synthetic or just stick with non-synthetic.

 

[beachbumin]

Thank you for an amazing write up. Looks like my weekend just got a little more in depth than a quick oil change.