1. Welcome to 4Runners.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all 4Runner discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other 4Runner owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Differential Oil Question

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by Cowboy59, Dec 24, 2022.

  1. Dec 24, 2022 at 12:55 PM
    #1
    Cowboy59

    Cowboy59 [OP] Enjoy the Adventure

    Joined:
    May 17, 2020
    Member:
    #14355
    Messages:
    936
    Gender:
    Male
    N. Florida
    Vehicle:
    2020 Off-Road Premium w/ Predator package & KDSS
    When we travel with our 4Runner, we are usually towing our 5x8 off-road camper. I now have 22k miles and I should probably to an oil change in the front and rear diffs. As most of you probably know, a liter of Toyota diff oil is expensive, currently around 65$ a liter. A quart of Mobile 1 Gear synthetic gear oil is $17.50 a quart.

    They are both 75w oils. The Toyota container does not list the second number, but the Mobile 1 is 75w-90.

    I there any reason I could not replace the Toyota diff oil with the Mobile 1 diff oil?
     
  2. Dec 24, 2022 at 1:18 PM
    #2
    Glenn Goodlett

    Glenn Goodlett New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2020
    Member:
    #14894
    Messages:
    182
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Glenn
    Vehicle:
    2020 TRD Pro
    Paid for
    Stick with synthetic and I think you are good.
     
  3. Dec 24, 2022 at 1:25 PM
    #3
    Cowboy59

    Cowboy59 [OP] Enjoy the Adventure

    Joined:
    May 17, 2020
    Member:
    #14355
    Messages:
    936
    Gender:
    Male
    N. Florida
    Vehicle:
    2020 Off-Road Premium w/ Predator package & KDSS
    Thanks for that recommendation.
     
    Nano909[QUOTED] likes this.
  4. Dec 24, 2022 at 1:29 PM
    #4
    ElectroBoy

    ElectroBoy Ad astra

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2020
    Member:
    #15823
    Messages:
    2,005
    Gender:
    Male
    Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2018 ORP
    I changed my rear and front differential fluids at 30K miles. The rear was quite dirty looking and there was powdered gunk on the magnetic drain plug. Diff fluid smells awful so don’t worry about that. The front fluid looked very clean, which is to be expected since it’s used very little.

    I replaced the fluids with Amsoil Severe Gear 75W90, which is a highly rated oil. I changed them again at 50K with the same results. I also changed the transfer case oil with the Toyota 75 weight Transfer Oil (aka Liquid Gold).

    I changed the rear diff again at 75K and was surprised that there still seemed to be a lot of metallic powder and debris. So at my next rear diff service I will be changing to another oil. Probably Red Line 75W90 GL-5 Synthetic.

    For the transfer case at 82K I drained it and changed to Red Line MT-LV 70W/75W GL-4. The transfer case hold 1 liter (1.06 quarts), so I bought 2 quarts of MT-LV for much less than 1 liter of the Toyota version.

    BTW, the plastic squeeze bags like Valvoline and Amsoil make it real easy to do the rear diff fill. For the front and transfer case you need a pump.
     
    Last edited: Dec 24, 2022
    Nano909 likes this.
  5. Dec 24, 2022 at 1:31 PM
    #5
    Cowboy59

    Cowboy59 [OP] Enjoy the Adventure

    Joined:
    May 17, 2020
    Member:
    #14355
    Messages:
    936
    Gender:
    Male
    N. Florida
    Vehicle:
    2020 Off-Road Premium w/ Predator package & KDSS

    Thanks for the advice Electro Boy - I really appreciate it.
     
    ElectroBoy[QUOTED] likes this.
  6. Dec 24, 2022 at 1:39 PM
    #6
    whippersnapper02

    whippersnapper02 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2019
    Member:
    #8982
    Messages:
    2,979
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Christian
    Vehicle:
    2019 4Runner TRD Offroad Premium
    Any off the shelf gear oil of the correct viscosity will work.
     
    Nano909 likes this.
  7. Dec 24, 2022 at 1:49 PM
    #7
    tblt44

    tblt44 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2022
    Member:
    #30203
    Messages:
    139
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Todd
    Tampa
    Vehicle:
    2021 4 runner
    N/A
    I use mobil 1 and valvoline.
    I prefer that valvoline but will but mobil 1 if it's cheaper
     
  8. Dec 24, 2022 at 2:04 PM
    #8
    Matt83

    Matt83 New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2019
    Member:
    #10511
    Messages:
    780
    Northeast
    The Toyota can lists the oil weight. The t-case is a straight 75w.

    Screen Shot 2022-12-24 at 5.03.50 PM.jpg
     
  9. Dec 24, 2022 at 2:41 PM
    #9
    Slopemaster

    Slopemaster Slope Survivalist

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2021
    Member:
    #20442
    Messages:
    3,085
    Gender:
    Male
    Idaho
    Vehicle:
    2018 SR5
    265-70-17 Ridge Grapplers, TRD Pro rims, 3M precut bra, N-Fab nerf/steps
    +1, last summer I used the squeeze bags for the first time. Made the job SO much easier.

    8B8A300D-2CC2-49F2-9CE9-9838D946E62C.jpg
     
    MooreKen, LunarTR4, JS222STL and 4 others like this.
  10. Dec 24, 2022 at 3:21 PM
    #10
    McSpazatron

    McSpazatron New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2021
    Member:
    #19810
    Messages:
    5,494
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2021 4runner OR
    Dobinson IMS Warn Bumper CaliRaised Sliders 285/70 K02s
    I got away with using a bag on the front diff. If you put the dispenser end on and hold it with your hand (so it doesnt fall out), it’s easy to just push the bag up there and squish it in slowly. Really love those bags.

    Probably could have used a bag for the transfer case, but the Royal Purple stuff I used came in bottles.
     
    Nano909 likes this.
  11. Dec 24, 2022 at 5:32 PM
    #11
    2ndGen22re

    2ndGen22re Goldie, my 1st love & my new kid…

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2022
    Member:
    #26045
    Messages:
    999
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    CR
    Carson Valley, NV
    Vehicle:
    1990 22RE & 22 AG ORP KDSS
    One-at-this-price stripper. Bought new 34 yrs ago, a $13K leftover. Added Detroit TruTrac, 1”rear spring spacer and “pinstripes”… Factory AC kit and roof rack bought at dealer cost at time of purchase, still blows ice cold 32yrs later. 2022 AG ORP all stock.
    BINGO!
     
    LunarTR4 and Nano909[QUOTED] like this.
  12. Dec 24, 2022 at 5:53 PM
    #12
    Trail Runnah

    Trail Runnah New Member

    Joined:
    May 8, 2020
    Member:
    #14189
    Messages:
    2,947
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2013 T4R Trail Edition
    Stock
    A fluid transfer pump makes this SO easy. I got one from my local discount store for 6.99

    I poured the qt oil bottles into a empty (and dry) 1 gallon Poland Spring bottle and dispensed from that. I used Valvoline syn for front, rear, tcase.
     
  13. Dec 25, 2022 at 8:15 AM
    #13
    Foothills

    Foothills New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 2, 2022
    Member:
    #29388
    Messages:
    274
    Drivers who tow trailers and boats use 75W140 or 80W140 to give better protection to diffs and run it all year.
     
  14. Feb 16, 2024 at 3:16 PM
    #14
    Fishbum

    Fishbum New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2021
    Member:
    #21933
    Messages:
    361
    Gender:
    Male
    So I did my front and rear diff fluid at 30,000 miles with amsoil severe gear. I'm approaching my 60,000 mile maintenance and I'm curious when using the amsoil or the recommendation still to change it every 30?
     
  15. Feb 17, 2024 at 4:32 AM
    #15
    Schlappesepple

    Schlappesepple New Member

    Joined:
    May 1, 2021
    Member:
    #21226
    Messages:
    544
    Vehicle:
    2020 ORP
    The recommendation per the manual is check it every 5, and change it every 15 if doing one of the special cases, so not sure where you're finding 30.

    If you've only changed it once so far, then I'd probably change it again at 60. I haven't owned my 4R long enough to tell, but on my Tacoma it took two changes to get all the metal shavings out, then after that I was able to stretch the intervals out (I changed it once after 30k and it looked brand new, so I went further after that).

    My advice is to take a short drive around your neighborhood to mix everything up, so all the debris comes out when you drain it. At 30k between changes on the 4R (my last service), the oil at the fill hole looked fine, but there was a lot of metal settled in the bottom.
     
  16. Feb 17, 2024 at 5:48 AM
    #16
    Fishbum

    Fishbum New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2021
    Member:
    #21933
    Messages:
    361
    Gender:
    Male
    What do you mean you don't know where I'm finding 30
     
  17. Feb 17, 2024 at 6:22 AM
    #17
    Trail Runnah

    Trail Runnah New Member

    Joined:
    May 8, 2020
    Member:
    #14189
    Messages:
    2,947
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2013 T4R Trail Edition
    Stock
    I last changed mine around 100k, I'm approaching 170k and will change them in the spring. Oops.
     
  18. Feb 17, 2024 at 6:25 AM
    #18
    4R777

    4R777 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2018
    Member:
    #8099
    Messages:
    1,056
    Be prepared, nasally. The smell is horrendous.
     
    Rocko9999 likes this.
  19. Feb 17, 2024 at 6:27 AM
    #19
    Trail Runnah

    Trail Runnah New Member

    Joined:
    May 8, 2020
    Member:
    #14189
    Messages:
    2,947
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2013 T4R Trail Edition
    Stock
    It always reminded me of cooked onions, which I hate.
     
  20. Feb 17, 2024 at 6:35 AM
    #20
    SLIVER

    SLIVER New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2023
    Member:
    #36863
    Messages:
    57
    Gender:
    Male
    Can you use the 75w-90 in the t-case as well?
     
  21. Feb 17, 2024 at 7:09 AM
    #21
    Tooly

    Tooly New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2021
    Member:
    #20051
    Messages:
    353
    Okanagan, BC Canada
    Vehicle:
    2024 4Runner OR Solar Octane
    Most people do but there are a few companies like Redline that make specific 75W oil for the transfer case similar to what Toyota offers
     
    TrailSpecial22 likes this.
  22. Feb 17, 2024 at 10:27 AM
    #22
    Schlappesepple

    Schlappesepple New Member

    Joined:
    May 1, 2021
    Member:
    #21226
    Messages:
    544
    Vehicle:
    2020 ORP
    You mentioned a recommendation to change every 30k; I haven't seen that, so I'm not sure where you got it from. (Like where did you see it)
     
  23. Feb 17, 2024 at 2:49 PM
    #23
    JS222STL

    JS222STL New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2020
    Member:
    #14831
    Messages:
    43
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2020 SR5 premium
    I changed all 3 at 40,000 miles. Rear diff was nasty. T-case and front diff oil looked near fresh. I used valvoline 75w-90 in all 3. zero issues. Will do the same every 30k.
     
    Old Tanker likes this.
  24. Feb 18, 2024 at 10:53 AM
    #24
    Fishbum

    Fishbum New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2021
    Member:
    #21933
    Messages:
    361
    Gender:
    Male

    Someone on here put together pretty comprehensive list for maintenance schedules I'll have to see if I can find it I thought I saved it somewhere. That was the first place I saw that then I think car Care nut was the second
     
  25. Feb 18, 2024 at 2:00 PM
    #25
    3JOH22A

    3JOH22A Toyota Gigolo

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2022
    Member:
    #30349
    Messages:
    2,183
    Gender:
    Male
    District 6ix
    Vehicle:
    5G 4Runner, 3G Tacoma on 35"s
    If you aren't towing, the only basis in Toyota's documentation for 30k replacement is in models with mechanical LSD (e.g. '03 Land Cruiser, 2005-2008 Tacoma TRD Sport)
    https://assets.sia.toyota.com/publications/en/omms-s/MSTOY03_MS0003/pdf/MSTOY03-MS0003.pdf
    https://assets.sia.toyota.com/publications/en/omms-s/07ToyMS_MS0004/pdf/07ToyMS_MS0004.pdf
    On those models you typically have to squeeze in a tube of friction modifier in addition to the oil, else you get chatter from the clutch packs.

    I suspect that's where the 30k "expert recommendations" come from, as those mechanics usually work on multiple Toyota models. "Inspecting" oil is hit or miss though - if the oil has gone acidic or its anti-foaming additives have degraded, it won't show up in a visual inspection.
     
  26. Feb 19, 2024 at 3:26 PM
    #26
    Rocko9999

    Rocko9999 New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2023
    Member:
    #32488
    Messages:
    1,178
    Vehicle:
    2011 Limited
    This. Wear old clothes that you will throw out if any spills on you. Stuff is nasty.
     
  27. Feb 19, 2024 at 4:56 PM
    #27
    BillyE

    BillyE New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2023
    Member:
    #31837
    Messages:
    39
    Gender:
    Male
    I didn’t see it mentioned, but the GL-5 spec is critical. Most gear oils are GL-5, but GL-4 is out there and is not sufficient.
     
    Last edited: Feb 20, 2024
    Rocko9999 likes this.
  28. Feb 20, 2024 at 8:42 AM
    #28
    Rocko9999

    Rocko9999 New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2023
    Member:
    #32488
    Messages:
    1,178
    Vehicle:
    2011 Limited
    I will add that on a mostly freeway driven 2011 Limited, the diff oil that was drained after 120K(prev. owner) was remarkably clean and debris free. I found almost no wear material at all. Again, not condoning anyone go that long-just what I saw. I will do mine at 15K here on out. It's cheap and not difficult, just smelly.
     
  29. Feb 20, 2024 at 10:58 AM
    #29
    Trees91

    Trees91 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2023
    Member:
    #30773
    Messages:
    244
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Forrest
    South Dakota
    Vehicle:
    2023 MGM SR5p
    1" cornfed level 255/75 yoko at trd replica wheels
    Anyone ever look at or use eurol or ravenol from blauparts.com? They sell gear oil kits for front and rear diff and t case. 75-85 for diffs and 75 for the t case.
     
    BS67 likes this.
  30. Feb 20, 2024 at 12:32 PM
    #30
    4R777

    4R777 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2018
    Member:
    #8099
    Messages:
    1,056

Products Discussed in

To Top