R380 Transmission Fluid (MTF94- where to find)?

[aragno]

What is everyone using in their R380? I would like to use what is recommended but also align with Roamerdrive, noted below.

Are these all suitable with R380?

API-GL4 OILS SUITABLE FOR USE IN ROAMERDRIVES

Amsol Gearlube 75-90 GL4
BARDAHL Gear oil GL4 90 (Europe)
Caltex Thubon GL4
Castrol 80 EP4 gear oil,
Castrol SMX gear oil
Castrol Syntrax FE75WGL4,
Castrol Syntrax Multivehicle
Champion gear oil 75-90 GL4
Morris 75-90 GL4
Esso gear oil GP90 GL4
Fuchs Titan Supergear 75w85 GL4
Geartex S475-90
GULF PETROLIUM GulfGear SAE 80-90 EP GL4
MILLER EP Gear Oil 80w90GL4
MOBIL Mobilube GX-A 80w GL4
PENZOIL 75-90 GL4 (U.K.)
MOTROL Motorol EP80 GL4
Penzoil EP Gear Lubricant 90 GL4 PM103, P.M. LUBRICANTS PM104 (AUSTRALIA) Red Line MT90GL4
Shell Spirilax S3 GL4 Gear Oil
STALUBE SL24239 (U.S.A.)
Redline MTL70w80GL4
Texaco MTF94
Total EP80w85
Total EPw90
Total EPFE 80w90
Unipart MTF94
Valvolene Duragear 75-85 GL4

 

[Z.G]

The roamerdrive doesnt attach to the R380, so Im not sure why you'd need to match fluids. If anything perhaps you'd want to find out about LT230 compatibility, but again I dont believe those share fluids either.

 

[aragno]

The roamerdrive doesnt attach to the R380, so Im not sure why you'd need to match fluids. If anything perhaps you'd want to find out about LT230 compatibility, but again I dont believe those share fluids either.

I see. I was also trying to standardize my oils where possible.

In such case, what API-GL-4 oil is available in the US.

 

[Z.G]

https://www.amsoil.com/p/manual-transmission-transaxle-gear-lube-75w-90-mtg/

 

[jymmiejamz]

Fwiw, Ashcroft recommends DEX III, not MTF-94. Also, the original spec for the R380 is DEX III

 

[Robert]

the tag on my rebuild said mtf-94

It got redline, until a trans cooler line failure in the middle of nowhere a few years ago. it got patched up with castrol atf like the shop manual says and remains that way

 

[LRNAD90]

I've always used Redline MTL..

 

[evilfij]

I've always used Redline MTL..

X2. Redline MTL

The R380/LT77 shift a bit better cold on ATF, but I think MTL is better for them from a wear perspective.

 

[jymmiejamz]

the tag on my rebuild said mtf-94

I feel like I’ve run into that conflicting information with Ashcroft before. This is from their site

 

[MountainD]

I'm just going to skip to the cliff notes on this off discussed subject. Two things that I think folks will find useful:

1: MTF-94 is basically a 75W-80 GEAR oil. The MTF-90 is 75W-90 gear oil (which is Redline MT90). Red Line MTL is 75W-80 gear oil.
2: Just to head off the viscosity confusio--there is a big difference between motor oil and gear oil and their associated viscosities and additives. See chart below:

That said, there are all sorts of opinions and conflicting recommendations on oils, including conflicting Fill With tags and website recommendations. But most of the ones we talk about are not that dissimular. Just do pay attention to the type of oil and the type of gear...like hypoid gears take hypoid oil... and then chose viscosities and additives wisely. I once knew a guy that put int he wrong oil and his grandma caught fire. And she was super sweet. And not even in the car. Horrible.

 

[erover82]

Probably minimal effective difference between the recommended options. Ashcroft, having seen more of these units than nearly any other entity, is just helping you get that last bit of "performance" out of them. I'll be using Valvoline Synchromesh MTF and wont loose any sleep over it.

 

[hillstrubl]

I've used both Redline MTL and Amsoil Manual transmission fluid linked above. I can't tell the difference (in a good way).

 

[aragno]

… so Ashcroft suggests a Dexron III which I find is not as easily available in the US since they link to a UK supplier and brand.

Fwiw, Ashcroft recommends DEX III, not MTF-94. Also, the original spec for the R380 is DEX III

Any suggestions for something readily available in the US?

 

[Robert]

dexron was originally designed for GM. any parts store in the US will have a dexron iii compatible fluid. I use castrol transmax for the r380 and power steering

 

[jymmiejamz]

… so Ashcroft suggests a Dexron III which I find is not as easily available in the US since they link to a UK supplier and brand.



Any suggestions for something readily available in the US?

Every auto parts store should have it. I buy it in 5 gallon buckets most of the time.

 

[evilfij]

I would not run dextron. It’s too thin. The synchros wear faster. Run redline MTL order on Amazon etc.

 

[Stefano]

I certainly tend to not believe a lot of advertising BS. Just choose a name brand oil product that claims to have friction modifiers aimed to slow synchros for smoother shifts to aid those thousands of times we rush a shift.

The two that I’m aware of are Redline MTL and Amsoil Manual Synchromesh Trans Fluid. If Castrol has one, you can bet it works well too.

 

[Stefano]

CORRECTION!
WRONG AMSOIL PRODUCT!
Correct is:

Amsoil Manual Transmission & Transaxle Gear Lube 75W-90​

 

[aragno]

I certainly tend to not believe a lot of advertising BS. Just choose a name brand oil product that claims to have friction modifiers aimed to slow synchros for smoother shifts to aid those thousands of times we rush a shift.

The two that I’m aware of are Redline MTL and Amsoil Manual Synchromesh Trans Fluid. If Castrol has one, you can bet it works well too.

Anyone tried this?

Motul 105776 Dexron III, 1 l, 1 Pack https://a.co/d/0ixgrKk

 

[evilfij]

Motul makes good products, and actually some BMW people run Motul ATF in place of a non-ATF spec in gearboxes for smoother shifts, BUT a BMW transmission is light years away from an LT77 or R380.