R380 gearbox oil

[Lefty]

Weird one this.

1. Haynes manual and old LR workshop manual both suggest ATF (though doesnt specify mineral, semi or full synthetic)
2. Newer LR manual (online) suggests MTF (MTF94)
3. Difflock suggest that everybody should stop using atf or mtf94 and buy difflock own brand oil unsuprisingly at £30/litre!!
4. Local old-school LR indy recommends ATF
5. Ashcroft recommend ATF.

To be honest, when doing Defenders in the past I've just chucked generic cheap MTF in and it always seemed fine. This is for an old Disco and the synchro on 2nd is a bit gruff, I've read people suggesting MTF will often help?

Any thoughts?

Cheers
Lefty

[camel_landy]

FWIW - I've gone with the LR recommendation - MTF94.

I've been running it for nearly 20yrs, including a trip out to Oz and not had any problems.

M

[Lefty]

camel_landy said:

FWIW - I've gone with the LR recommendation - MTF94.

I've been running it for nearly 20yrs, including a trip out to Oz and not had any problems.

M

Cheers, makes sense. Any idea why they changed from ATF?

[camel_landy]

Lefty said:

Cheers, makes sense. Any idea why they changed from ATF?

There was an explanation at the time, which I can't fully remember but essentially the ATF was simply too thin to properly lubricate everything.

M

[anonymous-user]

Just to confuse the issue; I had used ATF in mine until this year when I tried MTF94 out of curiosity more than anything. Shift quality has definitely been poorer so will be returning to ATF on the next yearly service.

I'm guessing you'll get answers the other way around though so probably just take it as personal choice.

[Lefty]

Andy-IM said:

Just to confuse the issue; I had used ATF in mine until this year when I tried MTF94 out of curiosity more than anything. Shift quality has definitely been poorer so will be returning to ATF on the next yearly service.

I'm guessing you'll get answers the other way around though so probably just take it as personal choice.

Yes I've heard that - and the complete opposite! Only had the Disco a couple of weeks so I dont actually know what's in it just now.

Cheers
Lefty