2024 Trailhunter- Transfer Case pressurized on fluid change

[rchrds]

So I found this interesting- I was finally getting around to doing my 15k mile service- which includes the front/rear dif and transfer case oil. I always crack open the fill port first (to make sure I can, before I drain) and when I went to open the transfer case fill, it was pressurized. Gas escaped as I unscrewed the fill bolt. 40 years of working on Toyota transfer cases, and I never once have found a pressurized transfer case. The truck had been sitting for three weeks, and had not been started in that time, so it's not like it was hot. Even still- I thought the transfer case had a pressure vent routed up into the engine bay? Seems like it might be blocked up or something.

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[StreeTaco]

Hmm,, interesting. I’ve witnessed vacuum on gear boxes, but never positive pressure. At least it’s sealed up tight!

 

[StreeTaco]

Are you going back with Toyota fluids? If so ,what type goes where?

 

[rchrds]

Are you going back with Toyota fluids? If so ,what type goes where?

I did not go with Toyota, only because my local dealership didn't have any- and told me it would be weeks to get, which I don't really believe, but then I'm convinced I have the worst local dealership on the planet. (Chattanoga.) I cropped the manual pages below, the closest I could find was 75W-90 oil, and I used that in the xfer and both diffs, same thing I used to do on my 2004- so hopefully it won't be an issue. My recommendation is go get all the replacement fill/drain gaskets first- it's quite the collection of different types of washers- one copper, two solid aluminum and three of the crush aluminum types.

 

[StreeTaco]

How did the old fluid look?

 

[rchrds]

How did the old fluid look?

Good, light gold on the axles, clear on the transfer, large piles of shavings on the front and rear magnets, but that’s expected on the first change after breakin- I don’t get concerned unless that continues.

 

[StreeTaco]

Nice.
Just for reference, just found both fluids on Amazon.. readily available. Your dealer, as most,, is in their own little world.

 

[rchrds]

If that’s the case I’ll do that for the next 15k.

 

[JayTech]

Toyota does unfortunately not carry the correct transfer case fluids and diff fluids are usually stocked in drums not for over the counter purchase. According to my system the Transfer oil isn't even available anymore saying its obsolete. From everything I have seen, information in conflicting. My dealer uses Mobil Delvac modern axle 75w gear oil(its 75w90 GL5) for all 4WD fluids including transfer cases yet from what I have read GL-5 is not compatible with the transfer case as the case has yellow metals(brass, copper, or bronze) and the sulfur in GL5 is corrosive to yellow metals. But if Toyota is using it, it should be safe? Because I cannot find any definitive answer, I am going to be doing my own fluid changes and using Redline MT-LV 70w/75w oil as it is yellow metal safe and meets the exact fluid viscosity requirements. Do not need my transfer case failing from Toyotas use of incorrect fluids.

 

[StreeTaco]

Absolutely not attempting to hikack or contradict your post but, these two factory fill fluids are readily available for purchase by dealers and the general public. They have Toyota part numbers just like any other part. You can order these from your local dealer’s parts department or for purchase online.
The Diff fluid retails for around $45 a quart. The transfer case juice retails for $110 a quart.
As far as getting these fluids changed at the dealer.. of course they will tell you that they are going to use factory fluids, and then turn around a pump that Delvac. The service dept is its own Business Entity, separate from the sales side. They are out to make money, so they will cut corners any chance they get. A barrel of Delvac is cheap compared to the Toyota branded fluids.. and they are not created equal.

 

[HarryDaHamster]

Does anyone know if the transfer case has a vent?

 

[Amorak]

using Redline MT-LV 70w/75w oil as it is yellow metal safe and meets the exact fluid viscosity requirements. Do not need my transfer case failing from Toyotas use of incorrect fluids.

What I used on my 3rd Gen and what I will on the 4th.

 

[JayTech]

Absolutely not attempting to hikack or contradict your post but, these two factory fill fluids are readily available for purchase by dealers and the general public. They have Toyota part numbers just like any other part. You can order these from your local dealer’s parts department or for purchase online.
The Diff fluid retails for around $45 a quart. The transfer case juice retails for $110 a quart.
As far as getting these fluids changed at the dealer.. of course they will tell you that they are going to use factory fluids, and then turn around a pump that Delvac. The service dept is its own Business Entity, separate from the sales side. They are out to make money, so they will cut corners any chance they get. A barrel of Delvac is cheap compared to the Toyota branded fluids.. and they are not created equal.

Things might be different in the states but I work for a Toyota dealership in Canada and 1. To order diff fluid by the bottle you have to place an order for an entire skid which over the counter, we don’t sell enough of to even bother. And 2. The LF SAE 75W Transfer case oil is not an item we can order. The part number is obsolete and is not something we can even get. What we use in our shops is bulk supply we order through a company called Brenntag as they are partnered with Toyota to supply the dealers here with bulk oil. They bring us 208L drums of gear oil, WS ATF, 0w8, FE CVT and fill our larger 600L tanks with 0w20 and 0w16. The one all the dealers in the area I’ve spoken to uses is Mobil Delvac Modern axle 75w90 which meets GL-5 and MT-1 requirements. Problem being though, GL-5 normally is not compatible with GL-4 applications nor can it be used in manual transmissions or transfer cases that use yellow metals(bronze, copper, brass etc) because the sulphur based additives are corrosive. I don’t know for certain if the gear oil provided has the sulphur additive or not, but typically GL-5 oils do have it so for my personal truck I’d rather not take the chance. I will use something I know for certain will work without any issues, and seeing I cannot buy the Toyota Transfer oil personally unless through Amazon for triple the price of Redline Mt-LV 75w, I am buying the Redline oil instead.

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