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Manual transmission fluid ?

185K views 76 replies 21 participants last post by  Jerry Bransford 
#1 ·
Dose any one no what type of manual transmission fluid to put in a 2000 tj. 4.0
in the owners manual it says 75w-90 for the 2.5L but the 4.0 says you can only use mopar manual tranny fluid. what would be the equevalent you could buy at the average parts store?
 
#45 ·
Thread Lock

Gentlemen,

Well, I have my annual Jeep event this weekend, so last weekend was spent installing Racks and Covers, Removing Doors, changing Oil, and doing a few inspections when low and freaking behold, I found that it appears that I have both oil and transmission fluids leaking from their respective drain plugs. It isn't much, but enough to annoy the heck out of me.. FLUID LEAKS DRIVE ME TO DRINK!

So, considering that my Jeep will be running for 8-10 hours for 2 days straight, I would like to possibly find a solution.

Do any of you apply Thread-lock or some type of sealant to the Oil and Transmission Drain plugs. I inspected around the tranny and oil pan and didn't notice oil leaking from anywhere else. Just near the plugs they are both wet with fluid.

Thanks in advance for the help!

Timber
 
#49 ·
Great information! All the talk has been about Synthetic in extremely cold climates. Logic tells me in non-cold areas don't use the Syn. But would like some advice for my current issue.

I live in northeast FL where we get into the 40's on average in the winter nights. 2nd gears typically grinds first thing until it warms up. But the last month or two my 5spd manual tranny (2000 4.0L) has been kicking out of 1st from a stop, grinds 1st to 2nd and 3rd to 2nd. Started to develop after heavy rains and big puddles, damn tropical storms and hurricanes.

I have read that those with similar issues changed fluid to RoyalPurple and solved the grinding issues. Would you recommend using the RoyalPurple through the winter here then switch to the non-syn before summer; put in RP and forget about it till next fluid change; or just use the non-syn recommendations?
 
#50 ·
I'm not much of a fan of synthetic in engines (except in uber-cold climates) or axles but I do like it in our transmissions, power steering systems, and transfer cases. LRMark26, I'd run a synthetic in your transmission year-round with Redline MTL and Royal Purple Synchromax being good choices. No need to switch it out for warmer months, it's good year-round. :)
 
#51 ·
i'm not much of a fan of synthetic in engines (except in uber-cold climates) or axles but i do like it in our transmissions, power steering systems, and transfer cases. Lrmark26, i'd run a synthetic in your transmission year-round with redline mtl and royal purple synchromax being good choices. No need to switch it out for warmer months, it's good year-round. :)
thanks jerry!
 
#52 ·
Trans fluid

I just bought four quarts of royal purple gear oil for my 2000 sport with a 4.0 in it and it was 20.99 a quart .It takes 3.4 quarts so I will have some to top it off if necessary.I found it a Advance Auto Parts where I buy the Royal Purple engine oil for my wifes Mercedes.I called around and could not find the stuff any cheaper than 20.99 a quart, the engine oil was 9.99 though.This was about the same as the Mopar brand and its way out of warranty so I went with the Royal Purple.
 
#54 ·
I just changed my diffs and transmission before reading this post. I used Lucas 75-90. Did I waste my time and money? Should I change it again? Cold climate here....down to 40 below. Just bought synthetic 5-30 for an engine oil change but haven't done it yet
 
#55 · (Edited)
I just changed my diffs and transmission before reading this post. I used Lucas 75-90. Did I waste my time and money?
Only if you filled your transmission with that Lucas GL-5 75W-90. The information you want to see associated with any GL-5 gear lube used in any of our transmission are words to the effect "safe for yellow metals". Most GL-5 gear lubes have harsh sulphur-based additives in them that give them their GL5 protective traits which are required in our axles.

Those same sulphur-based additives are harsh on the "yellow" metal brass synchronizers used in our transmissions. The only suitable GL-5 lubes that are safe for use in our transmissions will have those 'safe for yellow metals' somewhere in their description. Lucas does not say that for their GL-5 75W-90 anywhere on their website at Lucas SAE 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Oil : Lucas Oil

Like the GL-5 75W-90 on Royal Purple's website at Max Gear - High Performance Gear Oil - Royal Purple where it says "It is non-corrosive to soft yellow metals (brass, bronze, copper, etc.) and synchronizer safe"

Redline has a similar safe for yellow metals 75W-90.

My feeling on Lucas' 75W-90 is that if it doesn't say it is safe for yellow metals, and it doesn't where I can find it, I wouldn't use it in a transmission.

Don't panic if you have already installed the Lucas 75W-90 into your transmission. Its harsh effects are strictly long-term, it won't do anything bad in the short term.
 
#58 ·
Transmission fluid changed. Put in 2 full quarts before it started coming out of the fill hole. The garage slopes slightly to the front of Jeep and when I opened fill hole the old fluid started pouring out. Should I just turn around a put in a little bit more fluid (calls for 2.5 quarts) or just sometime in the next week take it to a Tuffy and have them lift it level to check and add if needed? I know too little fluid is bad but is too much bad as well?

The old fluid was throfty and the drain plug had some good buildup but no big pieces of metal. Not sure of last change, "should" have been about 25,000 miles ago when I bought it.

Used the Royal Purple Synchomax $19.99 at Pepboys and last time I get it there. They only stock 1 to 2 bottles at a time and truck only comes once a week... Will use Amazon next time, couple bucks cheaper free shipping and will have it in 2 days.
 
#61 ·
I have a 2005 tj with a 2.4L and a 6 speed, and shifting just isnt up to par. My syncros might need to be replaced between 1st and 2nd gear, but in hoping RP will silve my problem. But since I have the 2.4, is the RP still something I can put in it?

Outside is Beautiful
 
#72 ·
Hello all I'm a newbie to the jeep ownership and find this forum helpful I added a picture of what I found to be the best due to the yellow metal and bushings in our trannys , I read on hear that the syncmesh was not compatible with our trannys , guy said he called the number on back of bottle and they said no go . They don't make the gl3 anymore but say to use gl4 but not the gl5 if pic dont show i found a gl4 by Pennzoil, platinum gear oil full synthetic in a silver bottle black top list for $34 but got 2 of them for $40 my price all Canadian dollars
That's my 2 cents worth cheers all hope this helps I found it difficult to find the rite stuff most places wanted to sell me the gl5 and they said it would be find but would not pay repair cost if incorrect lol
 

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#73 ·
GL-4 is definitely the safest way to go for our transmissions, though the correct GL-4 viscosity depends on which transmission it is. GL-4 lubes like 75W-90 which Redline MT-90 is, are recommended for the older AX-5 and AX-15. A GL-4 75W-80, like Redline MTL is, is recommended for the newer NV3550 and NSG370 transmissions.

However, there are some GL-5 75W-90 and 75W-80 gear lubes that are fine in our manual transmissions.... they are the ones that say something like "safe for yellow metals" on the back label which means they aren't harsh on the gear synchronizers like standard GL-5 gear lubes are. If the GL-5 container doesn't say 'safe for yellow metals' somewhere, don't use it anywhere but in an axle. :)
 
#75 ·
I am going to piggy back on all this knowledge. I have a 99 5 speed.

Can I get your recommendations for transmission and transfer case fluid??

Thank you
Any ATF is fine for the transfer case, ATF+4 would be a good choice which is available nearly everywhere. Redline MT-90 (available on Amazon.com) would be an excellent choice for your AX-15 transmission.
 
#77 ·
Same tcase recommendation, Redline MTL for your 6-speed. Any GL-5 gear lube is fine for your Rubicon axles. I prefer a non-synthetic gear lube since it helps the gears run cooler (yes). An 80W-120 or 85w-140 would be a good all-around choice. The exact viscosity is not critical. Personally, I use Valvoline or Castrol but any major brand is fine. No additives needed or recommended anywhere.
 
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