Gl1, gl4 and gl5 gear oils
- audiocontr
- Posts: 1868
- Joined: Fri May 01, 2009 1:30 pm
- Location: Buffalo NY
Gl1, gl4 and gl5 gear oils
So I've been reading what I don't understand... basically the issue of yellow metal safe gear oil. Folks are scaring me with gl5 talk, and gl4 is tough to find.
Is the gl5 autozone and coastal gear oil safe for our trucks, or do I need to move to something like: https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/FCA65205
Is the gl5 autozone and coastal gear oil safe for our trucks, or do I need to move to something like: https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/FCA65205
1973 712m
1968 Haflinger
1965 Pathfinder
1978 GMC Palm Beach (Hey, its got 6 wheels!!)
1968 Haflinger
1965 Pathfinder
1978 GMC Palm Beach (Hey, its got 6 wheels!!)
Re: Gl1, gl4 and gl5 gear oils
Transmissions must be GL4 not GL4/GL5. GL5 rated will eat the yellow metal synchros. And yes all the parts stores will tell you wrong. You will most likely not find it on the shelf and have to order it.
Amsoil is a good source for GL4.
Was surprised when I found out my 2001 Nissan Xterra 5 speed trans requires GL4. I would have thought it was recent enough to use GL4 / GL5 however thats a big no, no. Don't ask how i learned this, damn previous owner...
Amsoil is a good source for GL4.
Was surprised when I found out my 2001 Nissan Xterra 5 speed trans requires GL4. I would have thought it was recent enough to use GL4 / GL5 however thats a big no, no. Don't ask how i learned this, damn previous owner...
Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt.
- VinceAtReal4x4s
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Re: Gl1, gl4 and gl5 gear oils
You can use GL5 oils from Royal Purple and Redline which are Gl4 safe oils. RP also makes a "Synchromax" oil designed for manual transmissions that normally call for multi weight oils and ATF. I got into all of this some time back, which included phone calls with the chemical engineers at Royal Purple, Mobil, Redline, etc.
I currently run Royal Purple MAX GEAR 75W90 in my diffs and transfer and will switch to the Synchromax for my trans. next time but Im running fairly new Redline ATF for now.
I'd seriously consider a high-end synthetic like RP for gears because, why not spend a few more dollars for your rare, expensive parts? You will notice better shifting and cold operation too, and it lowers operating temps overall. RP is also easy to get in the US and why I switched (or am switching) over to it recently from Redline. It's not cheap but... "Pay for the good stuff and you only cry once".
As has been discussed here before, a lot of people leave dino oil in the hubs due to leaking syn oil ruining brakes beyond being able to clean them off, as you can do with dino oil, although if I had done a hub rebuild with all new seals, I think the hubs would really benefit from a heavier syn oil like the RP 75-140w.
Amazon is a good oil source these days.
I currently run Royal Purple MAX GEAR 75W90 in my diffs and transfer and will switch to the Synchromax for my trans. next time but Im running fairly new Redline ATF for now.
I'd seriously consider a high-end synthetic like RP for gears because, why not spend a few more dollars for your rare, expensive parts? You will notice better shifting and cold operation too, and it lowers operating temps overall. RP is also easy to get in the US and why I switched (or am switching) over to it recently from Redline. It's not cheap but... "Pay for the good stuff and you only cry once".
As has been discussed here before, a lot of people leave dino oil in the hubs due to leaking syn oil ruining brakes beyond being able to clean them off, as you can do with dino oil, although if I had done a hub rebuild with all new seals, I think the hubs would really benefit from a heavier syn oil like the RP 75-140w.
Amazon is a good oil source these days.
"For those who risk, life has a flavor the protected shall never enjoy"
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Re: Gl1, gl4 and gl5 gear oils
Vince, curious, why the switch from Redline to Royal Purple?
I do plan on giving one or the other a try in my TD Tranie, It's always been temperamental shifting up from 1'st to 2'nd.
Incidentally, both these companies are now under "new management". The small guys just don't have a chance at survival.
Could be a good thing or a bad thing, but in both cases each were acquired by large blenders in the business with lots of
resources.
Redline --> Acquired by Dominus Capital in 2013 (holding company, typically not good) --> Sold to Phillips 66 2014 (not necessarily bad).
http://investor.phillips66.com/financia ... fault.aspx
Royal Purple --> acquired by Calumet Specialty Products Partners, L.P. 2012 (big blender with on shore refineries, could be good).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calumet_S ... s_Partners
I do plan on giving one or the other a try in my TD Tranie, It's always been temperamental shifting up from 1'st to 2'nd.
Incidentally, both these companies are now under "new management". The small guys just don't have a chance at survival.
Could be a good thing or a bad thing, but in both cases each were acquired by large blenders in the business with lots of
resources.
Redline --> Acquired by Dominus Capital in 2013 (holding company, typically not good) --> Sold to Phillips 66 2014 (not necessarily bad).
http://investor.phillips66.com/financia ... fault.aspx
Royal Purple --> acquired by Calumet Specialty Products Partners, L.P. 2012 (big blender with on shore refineries, could be good).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calumet_S ... s_Partners
Puller: 71' 710K 2.7L EFI aka Mozo
Follower: Sankey MK 3, 3/4 Tonne
Rescue Pinz: 73' 712MK
Driver: Ron // KO0Q
Follower: Sankey MK 3, 3/4 Tonne
Rescue Pinz: 73' 712MK
Driver: Ron // KO0Q
Re: Gl1, gl4 and gl5 gear oils
Done, 6 quarts of Royal Purple on it's way. Been thinking about
going Synthetic for the next change out and to see if shifting
would be a tad smoother. I'll let you all know, I should get this
in the this weekend and some runs up in the neighborhood Sunday.
Eeezzzz, it's expensive, cheaper than a Tranie overhaul though
ron
going Synthetic for the next change out and to see if shifting
would be a tad smoother. I'll let you all know, I should get this
in the this weekend and some runs up in the neighborhood Sunday.
Eeezzzz, it's expensive, cheaper than a Tranie overhaul though
ron
Puller: 71' 710K 2.7L EFI aka Mozo
Follower: Sankey MK 3, 3/4 Tonne
Rescue Pinz: 73' 712MK
Driver: Ron // KO0Q
Follower: Sankey MK 3, 3/4 Tonne
Rescue Pinz: 73' 712MK
Driver: Ron // KO0Q
Re: Gl1, gl4 and gl5 gear oils
Never a problem getting the stores to bring in Sta-lube GL4. I only use it in transmission so don't need a bunch. I keep a gallon on hand and just reorder as needed. Sta-lube is carried by almost all auto parts stores. The folks I have seen her that have made the synthetic switch have spent some good money and time replacing seals, just not worth it to have to do that much work for the little benefit. Might be different if a complete rebuild was done.
Re: Gl1, gl4 and gl5 gear oils
Well, the only real seal issue one might have with Synthetic oil versus dino oil
is that dino oil is very long chain molecules that can aid in "plugging up weak
seals versus short chain for synthetic. Short chains could find sneaky paths through
weak seals, thus leaks. Other than that a good synthetic will not harm seals that
are good, whether they are paper, rubber of synthetic rubber.
That said sta-lube is good stuff! I might go with that in the X-case if I can find
it locally. But this weekend the tranie is getting Purple in it's bilge. I'll let you
know if that made a difference in shifting or just made my wallet thinner.
is that dino oil is very long chain molecules that can aid in "plugging up weak
seals versus short chain for synthetic. Short chains could find sneaky paths through
weak seals, thus leaks. Other than that a good synthetic will not harm seals that
are good, whether they are paper, rubber of synthetic rubber.
That said sta-lube is good stuff! I might go with that in the X-case if I can find
it locally. But this weekend the tranie is getting Purple in it's bilge. I'll let you
know if that made a difference in shifting or just made my wallet thinner.
Puller: 71' 710K 2.7L EFI aka Mozo
Follower: Sankey MK 3, 3/4 Tonne
Rescue Pinz: 73' 712MK
Driver: Ron // KO0Q
Follower: Sankey MK 3, 3/4 Tonne
Rescue Pinz: 73' 712MK
Driver: Ron // KO0Q
- VinceAtReal4x4s
- Admin
- Posts: 2040
- Joined: Mon Apr 12, 2004 10:36 pm
- Location: Ca. or lost in South West USA
- Contact:
Re: Gl1, gl4 and gl5 gear oils
Never once have I had a high-end syn. gear lube cause a leak... and Ive changed out a few. The benefits far out-weigh the chance you need new seals and if you do, then you do.
"For those who risk, life has a flavor the protected shall never enjoy"
Your donation makes this site possible!
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Re: Gl1, gl4 and gl5 gear oils
Shell has the Omala line of gear oils that are yellow metal safe. I've bough 5 gallon pails of it for my ferret and dingo.
Ryan Gill
15 Recce Re-enacting Group
1943 Humber Mk IV Armoured Car
1947 Jeep CJ2A basket case
1960 Daimler Ferret
1972 AM General M35A2
x2 M514 1Ton2Wheel Trailer
15 Recce Re-enacting Group
1943 Humber Mk IV Armoured Car
1947 Jeep CJ2A basket case
1960 Daimler Ferret
1972 AM General M35A2
x2 M514 1Ton2Wheel Trailer
Re: Gl1, gl4 and gl5 gear oils
Ron,
What were you results with RP in your trannie? Good, bad, or no effect?
What were you results with RP in your trannie? Good, bad, or no effect?
_________________
Southwest Pinzgauer Association Member
1977 Austrian 712K
http://www.swpinz.com
Facebook: Southwest Pinzgauer
Southwest Pinzgauer Association Member
1977 Austrian 712K
http://www.swpinz.com
Facebook: Southwest Pinzgauer
Re: Gl1, gl4 and gl5 gear oils
Certainly my finicky 2'nd gear synco is no worse, possibly shifting slightly smoother.
For sure there is now less worry about any possible reaction to Yellow metal. Though I
was using a high end Gear lub from Lucas -- claimed to be GL4 friendly but not clear
what they really meant. In any case I'm sticking with Royal Purple from now on in the
Tranie and X-case. I'll stay with Lucas in the diff's and Portals.
For sure there is now less worry about any possible reaction to Yellow metal. Though I
was using a high end Gear lub from Lucas -- claimed to be GL4 friendly but not clear
what they really meant. In any case I'm sticking with Royal Purple from now on in the
Tranie and X-case. I'll stay with Lucas in the diff's and Portals.
Puller: 71' 710K 2.7L EFI aka Mozo
Follower: Sankey MK 3, 3/4 Tonne
Rescue Pinz: 73' 712MK
Driver: Ron // KO0Q
Follower: Sankey MK 3, 3/4 Tonne
Rescue Pinz: 73' 712MK
Driver: Ron // KO0Q
Re: Gl1, gl4 and gl5 gear oils
Ron, which Royal Purple did you use?
_________________
Southwest Pinzgauer Association Member
1977 Austrian 712K
http://www.swpinz.com
Facebook: Southwest Pinzgauer
Southwest Pinzgauer Association Member
1977 Austrian 712K
http://www.swpinz.com
Facebook: Southwest Pinzgauer
Re: Gl1, gl4 and gl5 gear oils
Puller: 71' 710K 2.7L EFI aka Mozo
Follower: Sankey MK 3, 3/4 Tonne
Rescue Pinz: 73' 712MK
Driver: Ron // KO0Q
Follower: Sankey MK 3, 3/4 Tonne
Rescue Pinz: 73' 712MK
Driver: Ron // KO0Q