Lubrication perambulation

[suobs]

Yeah, I'm spending a lot of time trying to find the specified lubricants for my 1994 Nissan KK 4x4 pickup manual transmission 4-cylinder.

According to my Chilton's manual I need:

•Manual transmission: API GL-4 SAE 75W-90 or 80-W-90, which I can't find.
•Differentials: Hypoid Gear Oil API GL-5 SAE 80W-90, which I can't find - in fact nobody knows what "hypoid" means or why they don't carry it.
•Transfer case: DEXRON II ATF, which I can't find and nobody knows what it is, except that it's auto transm fluid.

This is after visits to WalMart, AutoZone, and PepBoys.

Should I just keep looking or is there some simple chart showing equivalent then-and-now gear oil and ATF designations that I haven't found yet?

To make matters even more confusing, my Haynes manual says API GL-5 10W-40 for the manual transmission and differential oils, which must be a mistake?

Thanks for any help,

Steve

[Rev_D21]

Redline OIls makes the only GL4 oil I know of in the MTL bottles or the MT90. Do not sub GL5 for GL4, GL5 will destroy your transmission. As for GL5 for the axles, most 80W90 oils meet the GL5 spec and 'hypoid' is just the oil type and likely won't be written on the bottle anywhere. Should be good with a synthetic 80w90. DexronII does not exist anymore. DexronIII is the standard these days.

[Towncivilian]

Dexron III is not a standard any longer. It is no longer a licensed fluid, with Dexron VI replacing it and it is suitable in the vast majority of cases for applications calling for Dexron III. While you still can obtain fluids claiming to meet DexIII/Merc, since it's an unlicensed fluid you really don't know whether it conforms to specifications.

Amsoil MTG is also a GL-4 manual transmission specific fluid.

The differentials will be happy with any 80W-90 or 75W-90 GL-5 gear oil. I don't think anybody except Amsoil makes a 80W-90 synthetic. You can obtain Mobil 1 75W-90 for cheap from Advance Auto Parts if you order online, use discount codes then pick-up in store. I'd suggest a fluid pump to help fill the diffs/trans/t-case (search for W1139 on the AAP site). M1 75W-90 is an excellent fluid, I run it in my Pathfinder's rear diff (2WD ) and I'm happy with it. For the price and general availability, it can't be beat.

By the way, download the factory service manual here and use it instead of the Chilton book. To save a copy of the FSM, right click -> Save As on every PDF, save them into a single folder, then use fwd.pdf to navigate. The FSM is for a '94 Pathfinder, but the Pathfinder / Hardbody FSMs are interchangeable.

I hope this helps, good luck!

[suobs]

Redline OIls makes the only GL4 oil I know of . . . GL5 will destroy your transmission.

I found Valvoline Part No. VV831 80W-90 at NAPA, which says "API SERVICES GL-4, GL-5" on the label. Go with it for the MT?

[Rev_D21]

No, any mention of GL5 on the label is bad news for transmissions.

[suobs]

No, any mention of GL5 on the label is bad news for transmissions.

So is any mention of GL-4 bad for differentials? Locally I have a choice for the differentials (spec is GL-5) between Valvoline 75W-90 and 80W-90 Gear Oil. Both say "for all hypoid differentials where an API GL-4 or GL-5 is specified".

Really appreciate all the help.

Steve

[Towncivilian]

Generally, when a gear oil mentions compatibility with GL-4 and GL-5, it refers to use in differentials. So that Valvoline fluid is fine in a differential.