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Like OEM it is quite thin compared to the gear oil used in diffs. I figured this was a bonus for cold climates and the fact there are several actuators within this unit. In the end it may just come down to maintenance of the fluid and also exercising the CDL and 4L/4H at least a few times a year.
IMO: Fluid maintenance alone doesn’t seem to affect whether you may get a sticky actuator at some point, You need to exercise them from time to time.
I did a ton of research and am still unsure of whether OEM or aftermarket is best. Im not saying it isn't, I just wasn't convinced by what I found. I looked at a couple of used oil reports and some pics. Also be sure to know that the official service centers do not put in what the manufacturer recommends for the transfer case. They put the same diff oil into the TC.
2009 or 2010 went from 75w-85 ( i think) to 75W. This wasn't really to make anything last longer, they already were fine with that. This was to increase mpg. Some go back to the older, including the service centers. Most likely due to their cost, they get the older stuff in the drums yet still charge the same price.
There are 2 or 3 brands that actually look a little better than OEM but without long term data it isn't possible to be sure. For the TC, the Ravenol lists as a replacement. Of course that's them saying this. In the past Ravenol has had some quality issues.
In the 2012 GX manual the transmission fluid has a notice against using other brands of ATF. No other fluids have this notice, not the differential or transfer case sections.
Was the 81081 really engineered to work specifically with our center diff? I don't believe that to be the case but this is another thing we just won't know.
So I did order, and I tried to apply a fourth of July savings promotion, but it didnt work since there was another promotion and the system wouldn't do both.
I received the order but one of the MTF-3 75W was replaced with an ATC DTF-1. The MTF lists as OK for Toyota but not the ATC.
I called but they don't accept calls, had to write an email.
Not the experience I hoped for but we will see what's next. For me I value being able to call and have a person to deal with.
So I did order, and I tried to apply a fourth of July savings promotion, but it didnt work since there was another promotion and the system wouldn't do both.
I received the order but one of the MTF-3 75W was replaced with an ATC DTF-1. The MTF lists as OK for Toyota but not the ATC.
I called but they don't accept calls, had to write an email.
Not the experience I hoped for but we will see what's next. For me I value being able to call and have a person to deal with.
I did get a response to the email, that was quick. I will just send a pic of what i received to them and they will send the replacement bottle.
one last thing, the packaging this all came in was impressive. for sure developed to prevent leaks. the bottles were in sealed bags, then all into a thick construction type bag, then in some super tough 1 inch or slightly bigger bubble wrap all around. not the easily popped bubbles either. and then in the was strong box. ive ordered oil and fluids elsewhere and i wasnt expecting such packaging from there, first time i'd see this
FWIW, not all transfer cases use gear oil. Isuzu, for example, used motor oil in their transfer cases, and if you put in gear oil the bearings will burn up eventually. I don't know that that is the case here, but with the availability of Ravenol 75W, I see no reason to use thicker gear oil.
Just did my front and rear differential over the weekend. kicking myself for not doing this earlier, its so easy to do. TBH, if you're down there doing an oil change, the front diff takes a few mins more to do.
I have been using Amsoil from day one in the engine so it just felt right to use the Amsoil 75W-90 for my diff fluids.
I used the Motive power fill to fill up the differentials. this makes filling up so much easier. i used a small air compressor to pressurize the tank but you can certainly pump it manually. Note that this doesn't suck up all the fluids from the bottom so I'd get an extra quart next time.
i used the Astro 94418H for the front Differential. You only need the 10mm but I decided to just by the whole set. I like the fact that it is a one piece design and that it is stubby to fit into tight areas.
lastly, I bought the Front Diff drain plug from the GS460/IS250/IS350. Toyotoa part number 90341-24016. I didn't really need it since everything came out without a problem but better safe than sorry. This has a 14mm head on it so you can use a standard socket. it doesn't have a head as big as the Kaon that others were using but this was available locally at the dealership for less than $10.
Hey all, I ordered the kit from Ravenol to do the front & rear Diff, and transfer case fluid change. I was going to order this gasket kit from eBay but it says only compatible up to 2017 GX 460 (I have a 2020). I wouldn’t think Lexus changed anything from 2017 to 2020 but wanted to confirm with the group that this was the right kit.
Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge with me!
Did my fluids again today. The rear diff and TC were looking great at 30k-ish but the front diff fluid was pretty dark. On the rear, I added a new fill bolt as the original one was a bit worse for wear from the last time. I also added the Kaon front diff plug that I ordered awhile ago. For the fluid, I used RedLine 75W85 in the diffs and the Toyota fluid in the TC. Good for another 30k.
No picture for the front... was tired of laying on the driveway at that point.
An alternative to the (expensive) Kaon diff drain plug would be these Lexus parts. A more appropriately, and commonly, sized hex as well.
Fill - 90341-18060
Drain - Lexus 90341-24016
Found this on GX BOBs YouTube channel. He provides a link to a full kit for the front / rear and the transfer case. This kit comes with the new bottles that even have a built in pump. Everything looks correct, would this TC fluid be a good replacement for the liquid gold? I was going to do the front/rear with the valvoline 75-90(they have those new flex fill bottles to save using a pump) then buy the Toyota TC fluid. Or if this kit is correct I will just order this instead of trying to find the fluids from multiple different locations
07-05-22, 05:04 AM
