Can I use Amsoil 75W-90 severe gear in my transfer case?

I’m going to replace the transfer case fluid in my 4Runner and have some extra Amsoil 75w-90 severe gear left over. Can I use this in the transfer case rather than the pricey OEM fluid that comes in a can? If not, what else works good as an alternative?

 

Ravenol makes a 75W that would work. I considered going back to the Toyota stuff on my next change, because you don't really change it that often.

Otherwise, plenty of folks are running 75W-90 or even 80W-90, so it's probably fine.

 

Sure can. I use Royal purple

 

Red Line MT-LV works well.
https://www.redlineoil.com/mt-lv-70w75w

 

You can use an off the shelf brand of the correct viscosity that gets your rocks off.

 

I agree with @Foothills, the Red Line MT-LV is a better choice. That’s what I used for my last transfer case oil change.

 

My 2018 TRD has 37,500 miles on it. I changed both differentials and transfer case with Ravenol. Ravenol has a kit to change all the oils. I had problems using their fill caps, so I bought the Pennzoil transfer pump and this worked great. I also did a transmission flush using only Toyota transmission oil. Engine oil change with Mobile 1, 0W-20, OEM filter. I have a Rough Country 2" front lift / 1" back with 285/70/17. I can change all the oil with out lifting the 4runner. Happy with how everything turned out.

 

Or...
Think about how many people don't change tcase or even diff oil. Ever. And still get 200k miles no problem even though they never cared enough to look at a forum or even open the manual to know that it is a recommendation. We know dealers aren't doing tcase oil much and when they do it gets whatever bulk gear oil is in the 50 gal drum in the shop.

My opinion is most people over think it and worry too much.

Not saying don't change it, just that it may not be a big deal unless you are pushing 37 inch tires in 4wd every weekend in the mountains.

 

Here we go again.

 

Right? I'm switching to extra virgin olive.

 

Italian, Spanish, Californian, organic, non-organic, filtered, non-filtered, glass, plastic, etc?

 

Califonian. Temecula has some good olive oil.

 

Ok, you've piqued my curiosity on this packaging. Haven't seen it before. Have you used it? If so, is it any easier?

 

Yes & Yes, I did the gear boxes last fall. The squeeze bags made the job SO much easier!

I’m surprised other brands haven’t gone this route.

 

Amsoil uses this packaging if you select it. I have a powerfill from Motive Products so I just use that.

 

I’ve used these squeeze containers (actually the Amsoil 75W-90) and it makes the rear differential oil change very easy.
But you still need a pump to get it into the front diff and the transfer case. For those two you might as well use a traditional hard plastic container and a pump.

 

Thanks! I'll probably do mine in the spring. Anything that makes it easier is good by me.

 

Thanks for that info. Front diff and transfer case are ones I never have replaced. I plan to on my 2019, but never did on my 1988 or 2001 (a combined 570k miles).

 

^This

 

I used the squeeze bags for the front, rear and transfer case. Worked well, no issues, plus there is very little waste. Just like squeezing a toothpaste tube from the bottom.

Another bonus, not nearly as messy as the pumps.

 

You must be a better contortionist than me.

 

Not anymore. The bag is the contortionist.

 

I had one problem on my front differential. The transfer case and rear differential have 24 mm plugs. The front differential uses a 12mm hex plug. I live in upstate NY, where they use salt. The lower plug hex stripped, so I had to stop and buy a new plug. For being only torque to 48ftlbs the plug would not move. I used penetrate oil, heat, and easy out to remove plug.

 

I had some trouble with my last front diff oil change, but plug removal worked out.
In preparation for the next time I have two new ones with hex heads waiting.

There’s a hex head Lexus 90341-24016 front diff drain plug to replace that Toyota 90341-24014.

I also got a hex fill plug, which was on a Toyota online site:
90341-18060.