LC 200 Gear oil

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Location
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What is the consensus of those who have been there done that?

Do you have to use 75w85, Toyota or Redline oil in all three diffs?

Do other grades work just as well, such as Mobil1 75w90, or Amsoil 75w110?
 
avoid GL5 in the transfer case due to it's harming yellow metals. Toyota sells a unicorn tear product for that, or ravenol has a much cheaper option. Details here:

75-90 in the axle diffs is fine, just change it often enough.

This is among the most-discussed topics on this forum, so you'll find a lot of good discussion if you do some digging.
 
I've used Amsoil in the diff's, but stuck with toyota 75W for the tcase. I think it was the lighter flavor for the diffs iirc.

I'm using diff life from HPL now and will get their 75W for the tcase when it's due next.
 
What year is your 200-series?

I just go with Mobil1 for all 3 diffs. Not the bestest but surely far from the worstest.

09

that is a great mobil 1 gear oil deal.

There are countless very high mileage vehicles using M1 gear oil for sure.

In the owner manual it states GL5 for all three......I guess bronze was not used in my Tcase...... There is not much difference in viscosity between and 85 and 90wt, especially with 120k miles.
 
Here's a couple other easy buttons for you. @bloc tip for the front drain plug is gold.

GENUINE TOYOTA GASKET KIT FOR TRANSFER AND DIFFERENTIAL SERVICE https://a.co/d/3vvL94v

Front diff is pretty easy with ramps. Yes the drain plug often gets stuck but hammering around the edge of the stock plug will compress the copper gasket and seems to do a good job of freeing it up. Worst case is you can’t get it loose, then bring the fluid and gaskets (& new plug, see below) to a shop where they can extract it for you.

Plus there is a Lexus part with an external 14mm hex (vs 10mm internal of stock) that better avoids stripping in the future, and having this on hand means you can hammer away at your current one with no need to save it.

Also a big reason many of these stick in the first place is mechanics see huge threads and just go nuts on it. If you tighten it only to the specified torque value, it is far less likely to get stuck. Doing it yourself is the best way to make sure this is done.
 

Great suggestions here ;)
 
I see the high end boutique outfits run about $350-450 for diff, tc, at drain and fill with some spare oil left over.

It’s tempting and practical to run regular old valvoline, especially if one follows the 30k service interval.
DIY it is $207 + tax for 2 x diffs and 1 x transfer case going the Ravenol route.
 
I've been using Toyota 75w "liquid gold" for the T-case and Mobil Delvac 75W90 for my differentials. In Canada, I couldn't find a decent deal on diff oil, until I found an 18.9 litre bucket of Mobil Delvac 75W90 for $210 CAD. That's my only reason for selecting it, but it seems to have more credentials than Mobil 1 in any event...good enough for my diffs.
 
I don’t think an LS modifier is required. If it is, I’m hoping someone here can correct me.
 
If I am understanding right................my 09 just requires GL5 gear oil, but in some later years they require toyota juice...................doesanyone know why this is?
 
only distinction iirc is rhe tcase. Check the thread @bloc posted above. It’ll have about as much detail as you’d ever want to know about gear oil, etc.

Just wait until you get to the threads about magnetic drain plugs. An aside - do NOT order from di mple plugs. They’re not worth it. Just get OEM plugs if you’re going to go that route.
 
avoid GL5 in the transfer case due to it's harming yellow metals. Toyota sells a unicorn tear product for that, or ravenol has a much cheaper option. Details here:

75-90 in the axle diffs is fine, just change it often enough.

This is among the most-discussed topics on this forum, so you'll find a lot of good discussion if you do some digging.
Does this apply to the 09?
 
Check your owners manual, it will specify the type of oil for your transfer case. My understanding is 08 and most (or all?) of 09 have an earlier version of the transfer case that does not require the special oil. In my 08 manual it said regular gear oil for all three, so I used AMSOIL 75W90 everywhere. 20k miles later and there's been no issues or extra noises so it's probably fine lol.
 
Check your owners manual, it will specify the type of oil for your transfer case. My understanding is 08 and most (or all?) of 09 have an earlier version of the transfer case that does not require the special oil. In my 08 manual it said regular gear oil for all three, so I used AMSOIL 75W90 everywhere. 20k miles later and there's been no issues or extra noises so it's probably fine lol.
that is what the manual says, GL5 75w90, for the tcase. I am going with 75w90 inthe front and rear aswell, probably Amsoil or mobil1
 

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