Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum banner

fluid frustration

5.3K views 13 replies 10 participants last post by  shenns  
#1 ·
after hours of reading threads on changing out differential, transfer, and transmission fluid, I decided to go with Amsoil. Both their website and local dealer stated I can not use Amsoil's gear oil 75w-90 in my transfer case since Toyota recommends Toyota transfer case oil 75w. Despite what many people have done and said on this forum, I opted to get the facts from a local dealership. I went to the largest Toyota dealership here in San Diego. I asked several parts guys about the transfer case oil and they told me they do not carry it, nor have they ever heard of it. I was sent to service where I spoke to a service manager who spoke to other guys and said the same thing. One of them even stated they think they put 75w-90 but did were not sure. They said they use whats in the barrel, and when I asked to confirm that it is indeed straight 75w, they said they couldn't find it and were not sure. after about an hour of them talking to each other, phone calls, and checking their computers, they stated they have to special order this from Toyota at $53 a quart. I also asked about recommending another gear oil besides the recommended Toyota brand since its $33 a quart, and a couple of them told me I can't use anything else.

Its frustrating and unbelievable that when I ask a professional that does this on a daily basis, they can not answer what I feel is a simple question. Everyone I spoke to was unsure and looked to the next guy to help him out. All I want is to ensure that what ever I put in will not do harm.
 
#2 ·
And this right here is why you should never take your FJ to a dealer for anything outside of warranty work. If you had brought your FJ to them to do the fluid changes for you, they'd have charged you an arm and a leg, have no idea what they were doing, and likely have used the wrong oil.
 
#5 ·
One of the guys even told me to go to an auto store and see if they have it on their shelves. He said, look for Valvoline, because thats who makes Toyota's oils.

Anyways, just completed both diffs and the tranny, will honestly say it was more tedious than I expected. Mainly because I had a cheap pump and it was my first time. getting my torque wrench was impossible to tighten the tranny fill bolt. and I couldn't really torque the front diff plugs because I used an allen wrench.

after all its said and done, definitely feel satisfied with doing it myself. I did note that the rear diff oil look good. the front diff looked a bit milky. and the tranny fluid looked ok. all drain bolts had some shavings with what I will describe as a thick, dark grey, grease.

will pick up a more gear oil for the tranny later.

thank you members for your input, opinions, and help. I would have never attempted this if it wasn't for previous members posting pictures and how to's.
 
#7 ·
10 years, 110K miles on my 03 4R V8 full time 4WD, all with Amsoil SG 75/90. Not one issue. I changed out the gear oil every 36K miles, even though you can run longer.

I'm about to put in the same gear oil in my 13 TT.
 
#8 ·
FFS - Put some quality 75w/90 gear oil in there and be done with it...or just take it to the dealer and let them put in some magical toyota oil.

Its a freaking transfer case...As VNick said - a GL-5 or equivalent is stated in the manuals. :cheers:
 
#9 ·
Jelco,

Don't worry man, the transfer case and rear diffs in our FJs was the same that was in my tacoma from 96, there is nothing special or new about them. That said, GL4 or GL 5 will work. 75-80, 75-90, or even 75-110 will work perfectly fine.

I've had AMSOIL severe gear 75-110 in my Tcase for 130,000 miles on my FJ and my brother has severe gear 75-90 in his tacoma for almost 300,000. No issues, even when we disassembled them, no issues.

Go put Severe gear 75-90 in all those components and change it in 50,000 miles. I'm assuming you have a manual.

And remember there are not many mechanics left in this world, there are kids that can change oil, do what the OBDII tells them, but true mechs that grew up in shops, and live and breathe automotive work are far and few in between.
 
#14 ·
Im frustrated a bit too. Called a dealer today.

Parts guy said they have it in stock but will call me to confirm. He calls me back 1hr later to say they have it in barrels. He recommended me to buy redline/royral purpl which they sell lol. He then transferred me to the service tech for a quote on the cost. $79 for each diff.
They told me they use 75w85w for the diffs and 75w90 for the transfer case..
Of course they couldn't answer any warranty questions if i did it myself lol..

I have no problem doing the front,transfer,& rear with amsoil but it might bite me in the future if something goes wrong. (car is a 2012 with ext warrenty.)