PSA CHECK YOUR TRANSFER CASE

[Robr651]

Thank you for confirming. I went to Jeep dealer today to buy a quart bottle of Mopar ATF+4. Talked to the parts guy and he told me that lots of JLs came to top off and usually 1/2 quart low, just as you had pointed out. I'll just need to get a pump and get it topped off.

Yup easy job. You can get a cheap transfer pump at any autozone for a few bucks. It’s a good tool to have around for filling transfer cases and diffs.

 

[Fast-n-Furious]

Finally got time and the 10mm allen bit for the transfer case fluid. Mine was low too and I refilled 12oz. Thanks @Robr651 for the post! I'll buy some heavy duty diff covers and change the diff fluid later.

 

[BarneyM]

Finally got time and the 10mm allen bit for the transfer case fluid. Mine was low too and I refilled 12oz. Thanks @Robr651 for the post! I'll buy some heavy duty diff covers and change the diff fluid later.

Finally got time and the 10mm allen bit for the transfer case fluid. Mine was low too and I refilled 12oz. Thanks @Robr651 for the post! I'll buy some heavy duty diff covers and change the diff fluid later.

Checked mine yesterday. As others I added 12 oz's to the transfer case. Checked the rear diff and it was about a 1/4" low. Checked the front and I couldn't get my finger in there far enough to find any lube! Not good. I ordered some ARB diff covers and decide to install them and replace the lube (Redline 75W90 GL-5). The rear was fine except the fill plug magnet was full of crap. Keep in mind this Jeep only has 500 miles on it from new. When I drained the front the lube I was surprised to see it was as black as the Ace of Spades, at 500 miles! Good thing the magnet was clean. No idea what's going on here.

The ARB covers are very nice as they have a magnetic dip stick to quickly check the lube level and condition. They also have a drain plug with a very strong magnet.

 

[Fast-n-Furious]

Checked mine yesterday. As others I added 12 oz's to the transfer case. Checked the rear diff and it was about a 1/4" low. Checked the front and I couldn't get my finger in there far enough to find any lube! Not good. I ordered some ARB diff covers and decide to install them and replace the lube (Redline 75W90 GL-5). The rear was fine except the fill plug magnet was full of crap. Keep in mind this Jeep only has 500 miles on it from new. When I drained the front the lube I was surprised to see it was as black as the Ace of Spades, at 500 miles! Good thing the magnet was clean. No idea what's going on here.

The ARB covers are very nice as they have a magnetic dip stick to quickly check the lube level and condition. They also have a drain plug with a very strong magnet.

I looked at the ARB diff covers, their magnets are super strong. I ordered RuffStuff diff covers because I like how beefy they are and the raw metal look.

BTW, what a tidy garage!

 

[BarneyM]

I looked at the ARB diff covers, their magnets are super strong. I ordered RuffStuff diff covers because I like how beefy they are and the raw metal look.

BTW, what a tidy garage!

Thanks. The RuffStuff's do look tuff!

 

[Leftfield]

I pulled the fill plug and nothing dribbled out. I used a hand transfer pump and pumped 1/2 quart of Mopar ATF 4 into it until it dribbled out of the fill plug. Same thing with the TRX. Like I said before it’s a known issue on the TRX. Looks like it might be on the 392 as well.

Based on you post I checked my T-case fluid level this afternoon. Exact same; took about 16oz (1/2 qt) to bring it to full. Diff's might well be low too, but as I'm approaching 15k miles I'll check the levels just for sport, but will be changing the fluid anyway.
Thanks for the info!
LF

 

[Robr651]

Based on you post I checked my T-case fluid level this afternoon. Exact same; took about 16oz (1/2 qt) to bring it to full. Diff's might well be low too, but as I'm approaching 15k miles I'll check the levels just for sport, but will be changing the fluid anyway.
Thanks for the info!
LF

No problem, I’m happy it was useful info for you.

 

[jandersendo]

Checked mine. A-ok

 

[Maxx]

Mine checked out fine too.

 

[olllllo]

I would think fluid level check would be something the receiving dealer would check. Also if fluids are low the dealer should fill them for free?

 

[Fast-n-Furious]

Just my two cents since I replaced the diff covers recently. When I opened the refill plugs, both front and rear diff fluid level much lower than the refill port. I don’t think there’s an easy way to measure if it’s really low.

When I refilled, I did 1.5-1.6 qt rear and 1.3 front roughly, which is right aligned with factory capacity. You can go with maybe 1/8 qt more but don’t over fill.

 

[Robr651]

I would think fluid level check would be something the receiving dealer would check. Also if fluids are low the dealer should fill them for free?

They don’t. Most dealer prep checks are the basic fluids (oil, brake, washer etc) they’re not pulling diff and transfer case plugs.

 

[olllllo]

I am thinking my dealer I’m purchasing through said upon receiving the 392, they will have it checked out by their mechanics and then detailed before releasing it to me.
Is this not when they would check the fluid levels?

 

[Robr651]

I am thinking my dealer I’m purchasing through said upon receiving the 392, they will have it checked out by their mechanics and then detailed before releasing it to me.
Is this not when they would check the fluid levels?

All dealers have them “checked out” it’s the PDI process when the dealer receives the vehicle prior to it being released to you. Most of those checks are very basic and won’t include the transfer case and differential fluid levels. It’s not hard to do it yourself to verify it’s full.

 

[olllllo]

Well if I fly into Granger I would hope I wouldn’t have to bring a set of tools, cause driving 1800 miles home not knowing the levels is worrying

 

[Robr651]

Well if I fly into Granger I would hope I wouldn’t have to bring a set of tools, cause driving 1800 miles home not knowing the levels is worrying

Ask them to check it and see if they’ll let you hang out during the PDI. You’re buying it I’d assume any reputable dealer wouldn’t have an issue with it. It’s a 3/8 ratchet you don’t need any advanced tools.

 

[At Risk Ute]

Dumped my break in oil at 2400 miles and checked the transfer case today. Fluid was low by at least half a quart.

 

[hardhat]

I had the dealer check t-case and diffs today during my last free oil change at 18k miles. All were good they said. I'm pretty much leaving the 392 stock and have the extended warranty. Just enjoying it and any failure is going to be on jeep. After 7 years, I might replace the engine with a supercharged version and really go crazy, but in the meantime, loving every minute of 392 action.

 

[At Risk Ute]

Bought a regular XR this summer and was curious about the transfer case fluid level after checking my 392 XR.

Similar transfer case (has 4H auto). Non 392 was low but not as low.

 

[Jgc650i]

I replaced my differential covers with ARBs and decided to go ahead and check the transfer case fluid as well based on this and a similar thread I saw on one of the Ram Truck forums. The differentials were slightly low, although not enough I would be overly concerned, but sure enough the transfer case was low by about 1/3 of a quart. Definitely going to check my Ram truck now too.