I did some more research on the forum and it seems one should use different fluids in different parts of the transmission; this is an attempt to create a full list:

It seems the correct spec for the oil is 75W85; the 6MT oil must not be too slippery otherwise the synchros won't work well so it should be different from those used for hypoid gears.

Quantities:
Front Diff: ~1.5 quarts
Read Diff: ~3+ quarts
Transfer Case: ~1.5 quarts
Total "Gear Oil": ~6+ quarts

6MT: ~2 quarts
Total "Manual Transmission" Oil: ~2 quarts


Oils available on the market (please let me know of inaccuracies or additions to this list):

Redline:
Apparently Redline is the only company that provides 75W85 grade:

• Front/Rear Diff, Transfer case: Redline 75W85 GL-5 Gear Oil Not so easily found online; Behrent's HRP - Amazon
• 6MT: Redline MT-90 75W90 GL-4 Gear Oil Very easy to find online... Behrent's Amazon

Mobil(1):

• Front/Rear Diff, Transfer case:
  • Mobil 1 Synthetic Gear Lube LS 75W-90
  • Mobile Delvac Gear Oil 75W-90; "commercial" grade; it does not contain "Limited Slip" additives and for this reason it may actually be better in the FJ. After some research, it can be found on-line: Lufteknic Good price here: Drillspot
• 6MT: To my knowledge, Mobil1 does not have a specific "Manual Transmission" product

Royal Purple:

• Front/Rear Diff, Transfer case: 75W-90 Max-Gear
• 6MT: Synchromax

Amsoil:

• Front/Rear Diff, Transfer case: Severe Gear SVGQT 75W-90
• 6MT: Manual Transmission 75W-90 MTGQT-EA

Castrol:

• Front/Rear Diff, Transfer case: SYNTEC Gear Oil 75W-90
• 6MT: ???

Pennzoil:

• Front/Rear Diff, Transfer case: Synthetic Gear Oil 75W-90 GL-5
• 6MT: Apparently they only have a Synchromesh Manual Transmission Fluid that is to be used in GM or Chrysler engines only. This oil is probably not synthetic.

Lucas:

• Front/Rear Diff, Transfer case: SAE 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Oil
• 6MT: I was not able to find an oil specifically suited for MT in the Lucas product range.

Gasket Washers:

• Rear diff, drain & fill; Front diff, fill (Total 3): Toyota PN 12157-10010
• Front diff, drain (Total 1): Toyota PN 90430-24003
• TC/6MT drain & fill (Total 4): Toyota PN 90430-18008

All the above gaskets can be found at a local dealership (even if somebody mentioned the Front Diff ones are "special orders") or online for example at Toyota Part Sales (TRD4U, Toyota of Dallas) or at Toyota Parts Zone (California). In both sites you will have to do a part number search.

Torque specs:

• All TC and 6MT, fill & drain: 27 ft*lbs torque 24mm Socket
• Front diff, fill: 29 ft*lbs torque 10mm Hex Socket (Allen)
• Front diff, drain: 48 ft*lbs torque 10mm Hex Socket (Allen)
• Rear diff, fill & drain: 36 ft*lbs torque 24mm Socket

Hints on the procedure:

• Drive around a bit to warm up the oil for faster draining
• Always remove the fill plug first, to avoid the case when you begin to drain and then you realize the fill plug is stuck

Links of interest:

• Official 30k service thread Note: apparently the oil used here is not the one recommended to achieve the best performance out of the MT synchros.
• GL-4 oil for MT
• Transfer Case Oil Change How To - Last Great Road Trip
• Read Diff Oil Change How To - Last Great Road Trip
• Pictures of Front Diff: NDA431FJ - 1911
• Written details on the procedure
• Toyoya Gear Oil TSB

 

[*]6MT: Redline MT-90 75W90 GL-4 Gear Oil Very easy to find online... Behrent's Amazon
[/LIST]

From reading on here until my eyes can't see from my phone glare the redline is the preferred choice for the 6speed I'm getting??

Thanks for the link to make it easy to find
If there's something thought of as better option post up

 

Still ongoing...

http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/maintenance-tech/121993-official-30k-service-thread.html

 

I have noticed nobody mentions the central differential (torsen) found only in MT models. Shouldn't it be serviced too?

 

It's part of the transfer case.

Most members on this forum that change their own differential lubes use synthetic gear lubes, and for good reason. Synthetics are by far better than dino in this type of application, no question. They measurably reduce temps in the rear diff, and handle the high load stresses with ease. IIRC the FJ even comes from the factory with synthetic gear lube in the rear diff.

If someone is telling you that 'only' dino lubes should be used in differentials, they I would be very wary of their advice.

DEWFPO

 

I have updated the second post with some more info and links. What do you guys think? According to what I've read the 6MT box needs a different oil to not interfere with the synchros; for all the differentials, there is some debate on the need for 75W-85 as specified by Toyota over the more common 75W-90.

 

I use Amsoil Severe Gear 75W90 in my Diffs, with no issue.
I'll probably change to the same in my transfer case soon too.
I've read here somewhere that people have been happy with the GL4 Amsoil Transmission Oil in the MT6.

 

I use Amsoil Severe Gear 75W90 in my Diffs [...] people have been happy with the GL4 Amsoil Transmission Oil in the MT6.

Yes, exactly the same oils I mentioned in the second post for Amsoil. Thanks for the input!

 

Seems like thats a pretty comprehensive list of all the "common" fluids used on the FJ.

From what Ive gathered, the 75w85 for the diff+tc isnt a very strict requirement (as is the use of any LS modifiers since the 4x4 FJ doesnt use them... dunno about the 4x2?). Some members even claim their service department uses "off the shelf" bulk fluid which usually comes in 75w90... mine does unless I insist on the genuine Toyota 75w85 for ~+$180. Seems 75w90, especially synthetics, is fine with the important factor being the quality/cleanliness of the fluid at the time of change.

For synchos (bronze?) on the trannies, Ive been hearing OEM and/or redline for best performance.

 

I've seen people on the forum mention Mobile Delvac 75W-90, may want to add it to your list.

From what I've found most of the GL-5 synthetic oils (Mobile 1, etc) have some kind of LSD additives in them. The Delvac is made for heavy-duty applications (18 wheelers and the like) and thus has no LSD-type additives at all. The Mobile 1 won't hurt anything (from what I've read) but the auto FJ doesn't have an LSD, so the Delvac may be better for it. I think it's on the 30k mile maintenance thread that someone talks specifically about Delvac.

 

I've seen people on the forum mention Mobile Delvac 75W-90, may want to add it to your list.

Yes I've found it, I will update the chart above!

 

Good looking list Manoweb. :bigthumb:

I run Amsoil Severe Gear as well in the rear diff.

 

I run Amsoil Severe Gear as well in the rear diff.

What do you run in the rest of the geartrain?

 

Said it before in many other threads; I run Amsoil Severe Gear (either 75W-90 or 75W-140) in every differential, transfer case, and manual transmission that I own.

 

Maybe the Amsoil is good, but with Mobil1 75W-90 in my 6MT, I confirm the syncros are not working correctly, so I will try a specific fluid for Manual Transmission this time.

 

By the way - where do you guys buy the replacement gaskets? They are not immediately found online...

 

I did, front/rear diff top/bottom are the same, but the TC is different if I remember right. Steel too, but not crush washers.

 

I did not.

 

I have added the washer PNs, a couple of internet sources, and the torque specs.

 

*edit* I dont even know which goes where now to be honest! But at the time I bought I did...
the 4 in the pic are the metal crush washers (12157-10010). $2.87/ea
the other two in the pic are some aluminum flat (90430-18008). $3.61/ea

 

I have updated the 2nd post with the tools needed to change all the oil and added some hints to the procedure. Please have a look and see if you can spot any error...

 

Great post, thanks a lot :rocker:

I'll also add that all the gaskets can be picked up at your local dealership (mine had them all in stock) and the prices should be similar to the online sources.

 

Thanks for all the work you put into this, I appreciate being able to come here and get good information.

 

Sure and if you have any more info feel free to let me know so that I can add it.

 

Great thread!

But i'm confused now.
2010 Automatic uses 75W 85, or 75W 90? (Delvac or Mobil 1?)

I may have a great discount source for some of this.
Need to go check tomorrow.

KyFJGuy

 

Well per Toyota it is 75W-85 in the diffs and transfer case. If you have a 4x4 then Delvac is better than Mobile 1. If you have a 4x2 you'll need to use Mobile 1 in the rear diff (b/c of the LSD) and you don't have a transfer case or front diff.

Most people on here use 75W-90 b/c it is more readily available, and so far I haven't seen anybody having problems after using it. I know Redline makes a 75W-85, but I don't think Mobile does (for either Delvac or Mobile 1).

 

Outside of a testing lab, no one could possibly tell the difference between 75W-85 and 75W-90.

 

75W90 is what I put in all my gearboxes last time. However, I am not satisfied how the manual transmission works; the story about the synchronizers is apparently true.

This time I'll put different stuff in the MT and in the other gearboxes. I will try Redline that comes in 75W85.


bye!

 

@manoweb

Keep this thread alive - following this one and gravygrabber's!

 

Ok

 

deleted

 

I'm curious if you have a source for this info?

No, nothing technical. This is just what I've read on this forum from multiple people. I know there are people with extensive oil knowledge on this forum that can give you a technical answer, hopefully one of them will chime in :cheers:

 

Changing my Front/Rear and Transfer Case oil in the next week or two. I have a 2011 Automatic, do I also need to change the oil in that as well? I'm assuming the transfer case is separated from the automatic transmission oil?

 

The 5AT and the transfer case are separate. Unless you've used the 4WD a lot the front diff and transfer case fluids will come out looking almost new. You can wait on those without worry but I would change the rear diff fluid.

DEWFPO

 

Thanks DEWFPO, however to add to my peace of mind I'd rather change them at the same time. I probably have about 300+ miles on 4 wheel drive and I live in the desert, so I'd bet it wouldn't be bad to change the front and transfer case oils. This way, I got fresh oil in the main components that have been already serviced!

I appreciate the insight!!!

 

Thanks DEWFPO, however to add to my peace of mind I'd rather change them at the same time. I probably have about 300+ miles on 4 wheel drive and I live in the desert, so I'd bet it wouldn't be bad to change the front and transfer case oils. This way, I got fresh oil in the main components that have been already serviced!

I appreciate the insight!!!

Hello, I have a 2007 AT FJ FOUR BY FOUR and I also want to do the oil changes, What oil would you use for the Rear Differential and the front Differential and in the Transfer Case ? because I'm not sure about all the oils they talk about it in this hilo

 

Hi Everyone! I´m new here , I live in Bogota , Colombia (south america). I was able to open all the 3 fill plugs for the Front/Rear diffs plus the tranfer case to check oil/levels. I I bought my automatic FJ 2009 w rear lock second hand so didn´t know what was going on the diffs..
What I saw was:
Front diff: Oil looked light green and very clear like new I suppose...
TC: Oil looked amber, (as if it was motor oil???)
Rear Diff: this one looked more white/gray than green.

All levels were OK, (oil just about the level of the fill hole, but the transfer case was overfilled I suppose, because as soon as I opened it started dripping oil. I left it drip until none came out. Was this ok?

My question is, this looks like they just did whatever they want?? (for example the fill plug for the front diff didn´t have any gasket, yeahh real professional!) and seems they used whatever oil they found, would you recommend changing all fluids using the same brand and characteristics?? (ex.. 75w 90),
Since I live in Colombia, I think the only one that should be easy to find is the Mobile1 oil. All other parts like gaskets I can order online in the US. I even order the torquemeter
What do you guys think?

 

the fill plug for the front diff didn´t have any gasket, yeahh real professional!) and seems they used whatever oil they found, would you recommend changing all fluids using the same brand and characteristics?? (ex.. 75w 90),

The front diff uses copper crush washers on the drain and fill plugs. As you have discovered, the recessed allen head plugs are a bit of a pain to get out

First time I changed my front diff fluid, I also assumed the factory forgot to put the crush washer on. I then used an LED flashlight to inspect and sure enough, the crush washer was still stuck to the cast iron differential

If the washers were indeed left off, you'd probably have oil seepage

I have traveled all over the world on business. Well, not to Columbia, but to Chile and Brazil. I have always maintained you should use whatever motor oil or gear oil most widely used by local garages, that way you are sure of having an easy time finding the oil and at a reasonable price

Those who chime in suggesting something like Amsoil should keep in mind that once you factor in international shipping and local excise taxes, the oil could easily be $20 a litre, even more.

The last thing you have to worry about is cold temperature performance. I live in a climate that can have -42 C in January. So I run a commercial synthetic 75W-90 that will work at that temperature

Ask around and find out what oil is most commonly used and sold. It will probably be a conventional 80W-90, perhaps even an 85W-140

The most common motor oil I have seen in Chile and Brazil, along with Mid East countries, is a 20W-50. Again, for your climate and operating conditions, that will be fine

The FJ sold in South America also has an external fuel filter that can be easily serviced. It is located in the engine bay. Our North America models have a "lifetime" fuel filter inside the fuel tank

Perhaps a local Toyota dealer will have the correct washers. The FJ is sold in Columbia

Toyota - FJ CRUISER M/T

So is the Land Cruiser 70. Very nice

Toyota - Land Cruiser 71 Cabinado Corto

If you have any questions on how to service your FJ please revisit the forum.

 

Correct it is a "fake" LSD. There are no clutch plates in the diff. The system uses the wheel speed sensors, and applies the brake to the spinning wheel, to assist with traction

 

Nice pics. Looks like you have OE tires on the FJ. If you drive thru mud a lot you may want to consider getting something more aggressive, unless the stockers are working for you.

DEWFPO