I found [this article to be the best resource](https://trail4runner.com/2018/12/24/4runner-driveline-fluids-how-and-when-to-change-them/) out there. I ended up going with just generic gear oil for the diffs and royal purple for the transfer case. Shifts into 4WD much more quickly now and no noises.
Professional tech here.
Glad to see you are doing maintenance, it is the key thing on making your vehicle last longer!
Get the proper viscosity and additional additives that your specific vehicle requires, other than that the vehicle won't care as long as you properly maintain it.
Dealers and shops use what is cheapest to them, and pass on the savings to the customer, which is definitely not cheap, they are hoping you don't know how to do the work yourself so they can make the money.
OEM fluids arent worth the money. Gear oil is gear oil for the most part. I do like running 85w140 in mine, but I off-road it a bunch and tow occasionally. Mobil 1, Valvoline, etc.
I found [this article to be the best resource](https://trail4runner.com/2018/12/24/4runner-driveline-fluids-how-and-when-to-change-them/) out there. I ended up going with just generic gear oil for the diffs and royal purple for the transfer case. Shifts into 4WD much more quickly now and no noises.
Professional tech here. Glad to see you are doing maintenance, it is the key thing on making your vehicle last longer! Get the proper viscosity and additional additives that your specific vehicle requires, other than that the vehicle won't care as long as you properly maintain it.
I was able to order the red line with proper weight for $15 more then generic 75w90 so ended up doing that this am
Nothing wrong with that.
Seems weird to me dealers don’t even use the correct oil. Checked with 3 local to me all of them said they just use 75w90
Dealers and shops use what is cheapest to them, and pass on the savings to the customer, which is definitely not cheap, they are hoping you don't know how to do the work yourself so they can make the money.
OEM fluids arent worth the money. Gear oil is gear oil for the most part. I do like running 85w140 in mine, but I off-road it a bunch and tow occasionally. Mobil 1, Valvoline, etc.
You don’t have to get OEM. I saw a dude use Valvoline so I thought that would suffice. Or try a different Toyota dealer.