Redline Shockproof gear oil

Wondering if any here have been running Redline Lightweight ShockProof or other Redline gear oils in the diffs and how that's been working. Thanks.

 

Toyota's oil bad?

 

Really any brand of the correct viscosity will work fine. Double check the GL rating but most if not all meet it.

 

I run Redline in the transfer case and front/rear diffs. Seems to work just fine. I've got a few thousand miles on since the fluid change and nothing bad has happened. Most of my buddies with Toyota and Lexus trucks/SUVs use it as well.

 

Local Toyota dealership uses Mobil 1 synthetic 75W90 gear oil for front and rear diffs and transfer case but says any GL5 synthetic of that grade will work in those. After decades of using Redline gear oil products I'm a fan of their polyol ester oil based products.

 

Redline’s MT-LV for the transfer case is as close to Toyota OEM spec / GL4 fluid as there is in the market currently. It’s what I changed mine to with zero issues. I’m running Amsoil Severe Gear 75/90 in the diffs, but as mentioned, any quality 75/90 will do just fine. Redline products are a great option front to back.

 

Have you priced out Toyota's transfer case oil?

 

https://eastcoastgearsupply.com/ft-2536-ecgs-gear-oil-recommendation.html

 

Thanks for that gear oil recommendation page.

 

I've Redline in both diffs because of factory recommended 75W85 weight. It is good stuff! I was running 75W90 Amsoil before and Redline is a lot better product in OEM specs weight. Redline also make good CV joint grease.

 

I did a lot of research prior to changing all my fluids at 75k. I chose oils that met the correct ratings and were closest in viscosity to the oils that came stock. Here's what I went with:

Redline 75w85 in the front and rear diffs.

Redline MT-LV in the transfer case.

Toyota WS in the trans.

 

I always used Redline 75w90 gear oil in the diffs and Tcase of my Tacoma. Will probably use the same in the 4R when the times comes. And have used it in the center Tcase of our Honda Pilot as well. And in my younger days driving sport coupes I used Redline MTL for manual boxes.


75w90 and 75w85 are very close and Toyota use to recommend 90 on the Tacos and then changed to 85 one model year with no apparent change to the diff design. There was some speculation on Tacomaworld that it was simply a fuel economy move and older guys claimed the 90 was a little better for longevity.


I have no data/evidence to say its any better or worse than any other quality GL5 gear oil, but I never had any problems using this in everything, and with Redline fluids in general so I stick with those for most non-proprietary things (i.e. I use nothing but Toyota WS in the trans and on the Hondas I only use Honda oem trans and electronic diff fluids)

 

Redline in both. It took a while for the smell to go away but it eventually did. Running just fine.

 

According to the Ravenol folks, there is no GL number assigned to the spec for the transfer case oil. excerpt from:


“In the United States, Toyota started using transfer case fluid part number 08885-81080 in the Toyota 4Runner 4WD models in 2010. The 75W is an updated formulation compared to the standard 75W-90 gear oil that was originally recommended in the 2009 and older Toyota 4Runner 4WD models. Toyota transfer case fluid part number 08885-81080 is a 75W viscosity and does not specifically identify with any GL (gear lube) specification like the older recommended gear oils (e.g. GL-5).

The main reason Toyota chose to update to the 75W transfer case fluid was to improve the efficiency of the vehicle. By using a 75W transfer case fluid (vs the 75W-90), Toyota was able to improve the rolling resistance of the vehicle. This allows for less dynamic drag inside the transfer case resulting in improved fuel economy. The Toyota 75W transfer case fluid offers better lubrication and flow to key areas of the transfer case. It also supplies better cold climate lubrication.”

 

I ended up using Royal Purple MaxGear 75w90. It’s the first grape flavored gear oil I’ve ever used, but it said it was safe for yellow metals, like brass or bronze synchros. I was worried the TC had synchros…so grape flavor it was lol.

 

I’ve been running GL5 in my Toyota transfer cases since 1997’.

 

Toyota recommends their liquid gold LF 75W gear oil for the transfer case at $70/liter.

I believe it was Car Care Nut that said GL4 or GL5 were both acceptable substitutes.

I personally went with GL4.

 

Is that one cherry flavored?

 

Interestingly, I had forgotten to look at the GL specs on the royal purple stuff I used. I just re-read the bottle and it’s “for transmission and other gearbox applications requiring gl-4 or gl-5”. But it doesnt outright state it meets those specs.

The amsoil boutique gear oil I used for the diffs says it meets GL-5 specs outright.

Well, it shifts fine, and I dont have any extra neutrals in the TC yet, so hopefully it’ll be good lol

 

Good point.

The second gen Taco was. I haven't looked in the book for the 4R yet and would obviously check before I get to the point it needs doing but I had guessed it was probably similar given how similar the rest of the drivelines are.

 

I’ve never ran shockproof before, but I have been using redline mt90 in my is300 rear differential for over 7 years with no issue. I just began using amsoil mtl (switched from mt90 to try it out) for my w55 transmission too. Zero issues. I have also used RP 75w90 in a MazdaSpeed Protege transmission without issue.

To me amsoil would be the choice due to their research and quality standards, but the differences between the 3 brands would be minimal at best.

As stated before Toyota was recommending GL4 lubes before.