The MTF94 debate

[B92 8NW]

So many people claim MTF94 has been advised for use in Land Rover transmissions where ATF was originally used. From my research this is only in part correct. The amendment does not extend to LT77s.

If you have an LT77, MTF94 is NOT the correct stuff to use. Land Rover's TSB refers ONLY to R380 transmissions and the recommended lubricant for an LT77 always was and still is ATF to Ford M2C-33G spec (or Dexron dependant on manufacturer).

This can be verified by Land Rover and Caltex's TDS for MTF94 which states R380 only.

I've used MTF94 in my LT77 and it didnt take. It was impossible to engage second cold and all shifts felt notchy when hot. Penrite Light Gear Oil also caused the same problems for me.

I've just filled with synthetic ATF and at last the shifting is excellent. It's like driving a brand new Corolla. I read once that Transmax Z can't be used in the LT77. I don't believe this to be correct at all.

Anybody else had this success with Transmax Z or anything else?

PS. Tried to find Syntrans but couldnt find it anywhere.

[Michael2]

I concur.

I use Penrite Synthetic ATF in the LT77 and it shifts beautifully.

I tried Penrite Light Gear Oil about 6 years ago on a trip driving Melb - Perth - Melb and even once the box was warmed up running all day, gear shifts were still notchy.

[B92 8NW]

I concur.

I use Penrite Synthetic ATF in the LT77 and it shifts beautifully.

I tried Penrite Light Gear Oil about 6 years ago on a trip driving Melb - Perth - Melb and even once the box was warmed up running all day, gear shifts were still notchy.

Yes, I was looking for penrite synthetic ATF but my Local didnt have it.

How much ($) do you pay for how much (L)?

[87County]

around here one of us is using Penrite Light Gear Oil (for a R380) and one of us is using Caltex Syntrans ($20 per 1 litre bottle), for a Santana box. IMHO the Caltex Syntrans gives the best results so far ...

[101RRS]

The MTF advice was only for R380s not any other box.

Gazzz

[Michael2]

Yes, I was looking for penrite synthetic ATF but my Local didnt have it.

How much ($) do you pay for how much (L)?

It's around $30 for 4 litres.

According to the tech advise, it's more stable at high temps than light gear oil. So I'm using it in the R380 as well.

P.S. I buy it from the factory outlet in Havelock Rd, Bayswater, same street as Fred Smith Automotive, if you know them.

[Blknight.aus]

the R380 also runs ok on at5 which is the stuff we get at work to put in the bushmasters and also seems ok in the lt95.

[jik22]

PS. Tried to find Syntrans but couldnt find it anywhere.

Had the same problem, and in the end was given a tip to buy it from a LR dealer, but from the service dept dumped into my own container. Same for the Syntrax. Worked out far cheaper too, and fantastic difference in my R380!

[rick130]

and plenty of people have used a dedicated manual trans fluid and reported better shifting than an ATF in LT77's.
As JustinC posted recently, some R380's even appear to shift worse with MTF94 than ATF, and I've heard similar reports from drivers of other vehicles regarding various fluids in the same type of 'boxes.
The bottom line is that you will get better gear and bearing protection, particularly in summer with a dedicated synthetic MTF.
There's a fair difference in viscosity between most ATF's and MTF's at 100*C.

As I keep posting, lightweight MTF's weren't available when engine oils and ATF's were specified for manual gearboxes.

FWIW I have no problem procuring Syntrans, just bought another 2l today from a Castrol distributor, often seen it at Supercrap, too.

[B92 8NW]

It's around $30 for 4 litres.

According to the tech advise, it's more stable at high temps than light gear oil. So I'm using it in the R380 as well.

P.S. I buy it from the factory outlet in Havelock Rd, Bayswater, same street as Fred Smith Automotive, if you know them.

Thanks Michael.

I didn't know they sold direct to public from Bayswater. Learn something new everyday as they say . Its 3x cheaper than the Transmax Z for the same size.