Hello everybody,

I am a newbie to the forum. I am going to change front/rear differential oil and transfer case oil for my 2000 4Runner V6 Auto as 60K service. The gear oil specified in my owner's manual are as follows:

Front Diff: Hypoid gear oil API GL-5, SAE 75W-90
Transfer case: Gear oil API GL-4 or GL-5, SAE 75W-90

You can see the only difference is "Hypoid". I am thinking go full synthetic for both of them. Can anybody tell me if it is also OK to use "Hypoid" or "EP" gear oil for transfer case?

The other question I have is about drive shaft lubricants. My owner's manual specifies two different NLGI#2 chassis greases: For spider use "Lithium based", for slide yoke and double-cardan joints use "Molybdenum-disulphidelithium based". I can only find "Lithium based" in most of my local auto part stores. Can anybody tell me what the heck "Molybdenum-disulphidelithium based" is or if I can use "Lithium based" lubricants for all the zerk fittings?

What brand of fluids you guys use? Any recommendations?

Thanks a lot...

Lucus gear oil for difs and tranny. Lithium is what they seem to use most at the shops. I've never had a problem with mine.

Welcome to the board!
A lot of folks here use Redline products www.redlineoil.com

Castrol, Valvoline, and Mobil are top picks. For your power steering, do NOT use that cheap stuff; stick with Dextron II or III only. You'll mess up your seals if you don't.

I use Super Red waterproof grease for my lubes; haven't had any trouble. Used lithium also, but mostly for CV axles and the like.
My plugged nickel enyhoo.

Thanks guys! It seems that there is no problem if using same "Hypoid" gear oil for both Transfer case and front diff. Also "Lithium based" lubricants can be used for all the zerk fittings even owner's manual says using "Molybdenum-disulphidelithium based" for slide yoke and double-cardan joints.

Please correct me if I understand incorrectly.

still runnin amsoil in mine since the beginning(front/rear difs, xfer case & man trans). no problems

AMSOIL all over, so far it spins...

w.

I used Mobil 1 75W-90 synthetic in both diffs, my 5 speed trans, and the transfer case and have had no problems. It certainly shifts better in the cold than it did with the stock lube.

With the grease, the molybdenum-disulphide is just an anti wear additive in common greases to give it higher load bearing capacity. You can buy Valvoline "Synpower" moly grease at Advance Auto parts stores. A lot of the farm stores probably also sell different brand greases that contain moly.

I used the moly based grease on everything, not just the slip yoke...

I run Amzoil synthetic 75W 90 in my vehicles and it works really well. I've had it in my '85 pickup for at least 10 years. It's especially nice in the winter when the temp is below 0 F for days as the tranny still shifts like it was a hot summer day, and it doesn't thicken up like mud when cold and bog the truck down until it warms up and thins out. Amzoil is located near where I live, so we may be a little bit partial to them vs. other types, but I'm sure the other types work well too.