Have a 96’ 5 speed maxima and I’m getting ready to change out the transmission fluid. Found in the manual that it recommends GL-4 rated gear oil, but couldn’t find any in the auto parts stores around me. Question is, is it ok to go ahead on get the 75w-90 or 80w-90 that is rated for GL-5, or should I go ahead and order the recommended GL-4 stuff off amazon or some other online store?

 

No ... order or otherwise find the GL-4.

GL-5 is a different specification, a different formulation and GL-4 and GL-5 should not/cannot be interechanged.

 

No.

Gl 5 chews up the brass syncros in our transmissions.
The transmission will difficult to shift once it's damaged.

Gl 4 is available at O Reilly last time I checked.

Do you live in a part of the country which has cold winters. If so definitely consider Redline or Amsol synthetic oil. Shifting is definitely easier at low temperatures. Ye, it does cost more money.
Some say that it's safe to change synthetic at 60k intervals rather than 30k with regular gear lube.

I use Redline and like it a lot. The MTL type if I recall.
check their website for the type they recommend for our cars. This oil is found at performance oriented auto parts stores.

 

Can’t afford Redline or amsoil. Anything else I can use?

 

Buy what you can afford in the correct viscosity and in a GL-4.

As long as you use a quality product and change it at the FSM recommended intervals, you’ll be fine.