Thread: VMX80 or Syntrans/trax in Td5 gearbox?

Why not try penrite oil dave i use it for every thing and lots of other guys on here do as well i get mine straight off the rep up here and buy in bulk and save a packet geting it this way insted of payin a middle man profit pm me and il give you the contact i have up here and he will be able to line u up with someone down your way

Yep penrite is in my TD5 it's a good oil.

Syntrans not Syntrax is closer to MTF94 in spec. Syntrans is an 11.9cSt @100*C fluid 75w-85 GL4 (NOT suitable for diffs !) and Syntyrax is a 14cSt @ 100*C 75w-90 GL5 transaxle fluid, although Disconut uses Syntrax in his 90 g/box and loves it (BTW, haven't seen Trev on here for a while) but they are two totally different fluids. To tell them apart, Syntrans is amber, Syntrax is red.

IMO Syntrans shifts more nicely than VMX80 in the R380 and should last a lot longer and protect better as it is a full PAO/ester synthetic so is worth the $.

Penrite don't have anything that compares to either Syntrans or Syntrax to my knowledge.

Originally Posted by xsi

VMX80 and Syntrans 75w/90 seem to be the commonest recommendations and which meet MTF 94 specs.

Calling in to Supercheap and Repco today the price of 4L of VMX80 was about the same price as 1L of the Syntrans.

Am I justified in the extra cost of the Syntans?


Dave.

Having used both, my answer is YES, absolutely.

Having said that, I wouldn't use Syntrans in anything else apart from the gearbox. For Transfer box, diffs and swivels I've standardised on Castrol SAF/XA which is a synthetic 80W140.

Paul

I use Penrite 5w/40 semi synthetic in the engine, it meets the A1 B1 B2 specs for the TD5 recommended by LR, fully synthetic doesn't meet the specs, MTF 94 in the gearbox (or the equivilent) and 80/140 in diffs and Transfer case.

Baz.

I used Castrol Syntrans in my Defender's transmission and was satisfied that it did the job well.
In fact I used Castrol throughout the whole vehicle as I've used their stuff for years on all our vehicles as it does a good job of protecting engines, diffs, gearboxs, etc.
But the way to better changes on the R380 is definitely as they say somewhere else here, is to take it easy when changing.
That coupled with a good oil should see a good long life out of the box.
Alan.

Originally Posted by Redback

I use Penrite 5w/40 semi synthetic in the engine, it meets the A1 B1 B2 specs for the TD5 recommended by LR, fully synthetic doesn't meet the specs,
Baz.

Really ??

most petrol full synths meet the TD5 engine specs, e.g Castrol Edge 5w-30, 0w-40, Mobil 1 0w-40, although I'd rather use a dedicated diesel oil like Delvac 1 5W-40 or Redline 15w-40.
Yes, Redline 15w-40. At 0*C it is thinner than Penrite 5W-40

Anyway, old mate asked specifically about his gearbox.

Slightly off topic...

I changed the oil in my LT85 gearbox from VMX80 to Syntrans. If anything the shiifting has gotten worse - especially in and out of 2nd. I think I will be switching back next service.