Ravenol For Diffs (1 Viewer)

[Blackford Oakes]

I'm coming up on diff and tc service on my trucks. After much research on the forum, I've decided to go Ravenol 75W-85. More than a few Mudders have commented on using gear oil in our open diffs with the limited slip additives and I believe the conclusion is that there have been no reported ill effects thus far. Ravenol offers both flavors of 75W-85. In the Blauparts 2013-2021 Land Cruiser diff/tc kit linked below the product image for the 85 is of their LS flavor and they mention that it's fine non-LS diffs.

I guess I'm just trying to decide if I should go with the non-LS formula since they have it available.

Quoted from their LC kit product page:

BLAU Toyota Land Cruiser transfer case differential fluid change kit includes:

• Front Differential Fluid - Qty 2 Ravenol Fully Synthetic Gear Oil DGL 75W-85 1 Liter. High performance replacement equivalent to the original recommended Toyota Land Cruiser front differential gear oil specs and part number 08885-02506. (Capacity 2.0 liters, 2.2 quarts)
• Rear Differential Fluid - Qty 5 Ravenol Fully Synthetic Gear Oil DGL 75W-85 1 Liter. High performance replacement equivalent to the original recommended Toyota Land Cruiser rear differential gear oil specs and part number 08885-02506. (Capacity 4.2 liters, 4.4 quarts)
• Transfer Case Fluid - Qty 2 Ravenol Fully Synthetic Gear Oil MTF-3 75W 1 Liter. High performance replacement equivalent to the original recommended Toyota Land Cruiser transfer case fluid part numbers 08885-81080 US spec and 08885-81081 Euro spec. (Capacity 1.5 liters, 1.6 quarts)

Differential fluid info and capacity notes:

• The special formulation of DGL and use of full synthetic PAO makes it a truly unique product for use in all vehicle differential designs, both with and without limited slip features requiring 75W85 GL-5. Excellent performance in all operating conditions whether daily driving, trailering, or extreme off road.

https://www.blauparts.com/toyota-land-cruiser-transfer-case-differential-fluid-change-kit.html

 

[AnyMal]

What year is your truck? T-case dependent on year.

 

[Blackford Oakes]

What year is your truck? T-case dependent on year.

2013 and 2016. 75W is good for both, I believe.

 

[thirdparty]

What was the answer to this question? I have a 2017 and am looking for the best replacement oils.

 

[LCH21]

What was the answer to this question? I have a 2017 and am looking for the best replacement oils.

I am in the same quandary: what is the "best" oil. This debate is the same as asking what is the "best" engine oil and grade. Everybody has an opinion.

The front and rear diffs specify a 75W-85 in GL-5. The T-case specifies a 75W LF - Toyota's Unicorn Blood. No GL rating is given and nobody seems to know what Toyota's Unicorn Blood is really made of. For the price of it, it must be really something special, like unobtainium.

Anywho, many people run 75W-90 GL-5 in the diffs with good results. Amsoil recommends their Severe Gear 75W-90 GL-5. I can't imagine that going from an 85 to a 90 would make a rat's ass bit of difference. Any top brand I think will do. Go with personal preference. Both Ravenol and Redline make specific oils and IMO, Redline tends to be top notch. Not that familiar with Ravenol. Many think it is very good too. I am going to use the Amsoil product in my diffs.

The T-case is a whole different matter. There are volumes of debate on what is appropriate to use. Many run the same oil as they use in the diffs with no problem while others report CDL shifting issues. The Car Care Nut states that you don't need to use the Unicorn Blood and that using the same as in the diffs will cause no problem. He states that he is a Toyota master mechanic. He states, and as does the Toyota white paper on their LV oils that the main goal of going to the lighter weight oils is to improve fuel economy. Similar to what has been reported with going to the 0W-20 engine oil. My concern is for the T-cases that require the Unicorn Blood, would using the 75W-90 oils which are mostly a GL-5, cause a problem? How much yellow metal is in the Borg-Warner units? GL-5 and yellow metals do not like each other. I would think that either the Ravenol or Redline equivalents would be fine, much cheaper too. On many Toyota forums I have reviewed, there are a number of posts stating that the poster called several Lexus and Toyota dealers and was told that they can't even get the Unicorn Blood and use a generic 75W-90 in the T-case. Take that for what it is worth.

For me, since my LC is still under warranty, I think I will try and locate the Unicorn Blood and just use it. I don't want to give Toyota any excuse to deny a warranty claim, if that ever becomes necessary.

Bottom line is, none of us will ever get a definitive answer on this as Toyota is very secretive as to what is in that fluid and what makes it so special. When in doubt, go with OEM. That is the safest bet.

 

[bloc]

For the TC, under warranty, I’d use Toyota LF. Outside warranty, I trust the Ravenol.

Diffs are the same incredible Toyota materials that they’ve made literally millions of. I don’t think synthetic is really even needed if it’s changed often enough. So run whatever you want.

 

[TomEf]

I went Mobil 1 in the diffs and Ravenol 75W in the t-case when I bought my babied LX in 2020. With some exercise of the CDL/4Lo actuators and the fresh fluid, I have zero issues with blinking lights or actuator stickiness.

I wouldn’t hesitate to use the Ravenol in the diffs as well. Partly because the diffs aren’t very picky, partly because I believe Ravenol makes a good fluid.

 

[linuxgod]

I went Mobil 1 in the diffs and Ravenol 75W in the t-case when I bought my babied LX in 2020. With some exercise of the CDL/4Lo actuators and the fresh fluid, I have zero issues with blinking lights or actuator stickiness.

I wouldn’t hesitate to use the Ravenol in the diffs as well. Partly because the diffs aren’t very picky, partly because I believe Ravenol makes a good fluid.

FYI sticking 4Lo and CDL actuators have zero to do with the oil. The motors that move the actuator are outside the transfer case.

 

[hankinid]

2013 and 2016. 75W is good for both, I believe.

We bought our 2013 in 2017; I've been using Ravenol 75W since then with no issues.

The two Boise area dealers use 75W-90 in the transfer case; neither keep straight 75W on hand.

 

[Blackford Oakes]

We bought our 2013 in 2017; I've been using Ravenol 75W since then with no issues.

Good to know! TC service will be due in about 10k on the ‘13.

 

[gasman4u]

6 month since last activity thread bump for follow up. How's everyone's transfer case holding up with the Ravenol 75W? Any weird activity/issues? Blinking CDL light, etc?

 

[chuckd83]

For the TC, under warranty, I’d use Toyota LF. Outside warranty, I trust the Ravenol.

Even my local Toyota dealership does this. I asked them and they replied that under warranty, they use the Toyota 75W fluid. Outside of warranty, they use BG Products 75W-80.

I just did this service and used Mobil Delvac 1 75W-90 (no LS) for the diffs and Red Line MT-LV 70W/75W for the transfer case.