It should have a fill plug, how else will you get fluid in?

 

Look closer - it has 2 taps - 1 drain, 1 fill. Fluid type depends on your transfer case. NV242 uses ATF+4, NV147 and NV247 use Mopar transfer case fluid. Do NOT use ATF in the latter cases - it will eventually trash the georotor pump. Even stealerships are known to make this mistake....

 

I have a 4.0L 2003 Grand Cherokee Laredo - my actual build sheet says that I have a Selec-Trac full time 4wd - my question is - if I drain both my front and rear Transfer cases can I safely refill them both with ATF+4 fluid? Do I need to check tags on each of the transfer cases?

 

Post a picture!

 

I doubt it doesn't have a fill plug. That would be strange, and require some weird disassembly to fill.

 

Here are the 242 and 247 TC's.

 

Word of caution…make sure BOTH plugs can be loosened before you drain the fluid.
a propane or Mapp gas torch does wonders to help loosen the plugs too…

 

Word of caution…make sure BOTH plugs can be loosened before you drain the fluid.
a propane or Mapp gas torch does wonders to help loosen the plugs too…

Yup, start at the top. If you can’t remove the fill plug, don’t take out the drain plug.

 

Did we just get Trolled???

 

Could be.

 

I am sorry . It has a Fill plug but no drain plug. It looks like a rear diff. I have seen all the pics and vids of what I was expecting to see. I will take a pic soon

 

Thanks. I am brand new here and I am not a troll

 

Thanks. I am brand new here and I am not a troll

Really?? You just raised your post count by 5, and still no pictures??
You're claiming to have a "Unicorn" of a T-case?
The only one (out of millions) that NP or NV forgot to put a drain plug?? And it made it 20+ years without anyone else noticing it???

 

Ok I am looking at the front of the transfer case I need to get a mirror or crawl further back

 

Surly My jeep is not the only one in the world that is different. I will look on the back side closer to rear of jeep

 

Take a Picture of the back side of the T-Case.

 

You can call me a dummy if you want to.

 

Yeah - snap a pic when you can @danfrazier. I think we are having trouble understanding what you are seeing. The transfer cases used in the WJ really don't look like a diff.


Here is an NV247, but the 242 looks very similar:

More basic info on the TCs available in the WJ in the link below. Note since it is an archived webpage, it can be slow to load....

Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ - WJ Four-Wheel Drive Systems

 

You only have one transfer case, it is behind the transmission. Additionally Selec-Trac, which is a model 242 case has both full time 4wd and part time 4wd options, you can use ATF+4 in it. The 247 case has only full time 4wd and requires a special fluid. I believe you are referring to the front and rear differentials, you do have two of them and they require gear oil.

 

Thanks! Yes - that is what I meant to say - haha - according to my build sheet - I have a front axle Dana 30/186mm and a rear axle Dana 35c/194mm. Is there a special kind of gear oil? Should I go for Mopar or just regular? And is there a certain weight?

 

 

Great Thanks! Do I need the Limited Slip Additive? Also any idea how much gear oil will these two take if I drain them fully.

 

Your answers are in the picture.

 

So 100 ounces or 3 quarts? Should I buy 4? Also, as far as the additive - I have the Select Trac, full time 4 wheel drive- but honestly I am still not sure if I need to add any additive - obviously I am not much of a gear head - haha -Thanks & Cheers

 

100 Ozs +/-
No friction modifier.

 

Thanks - anyone trust either of these? I like the pouch design on the Valvoline and the priceon either - but should I just stick with the Mopar gear oil? The Valvoline stuff says it has some slip additive so perhaps I should just stick with Mopar.

 

The pouch stuff is good, and the pouch itself makes for a much easier fill. I actually use a contraption I made consisting of a vacuum pump and a large jar with bungs on top, and compressed air.

 

If you have the Selct-Trac you just need the regular gear oil from the above chart. No special brand is important. Just make sure it’s the right weight.
Gear oil is pretty basic stuff. Personally, I’m an older guy used to driving standard transmissions with standard axles in older Chevys.
Your axles don’t generate much heat and little pressure. I’ve driven thousands of miles and many years and never gave much thought to changing gear oil in those types of axles .
Gear oil isn’t complicated like motor oil. In the absence of heat and pressure , it doesn’t “wear out” like motor oil.
Given your experience level. I’d keep it simple . Assuming your differential gaskets aren’t leaking. Buy a cheap hand pump. Suck the old stuff out. Dump the new stuff in. You will know when you have put in enough when it begins to drip out of the fill hole.
Start keeping a simple log of the maintenance you do keeping the date and mileage. Down the road after you become more confident and get some skills going. You might consider pulling the dif covers and doing a more detailed job.

 

At 145,000 miles does it need to be changed if it is full?

 

If it hasnt been changed in 24 years. Yes. Id say it's time. If you dont have any maintenance records and you dont know how long its been in the axles, I would also change it especially if you intend to keep this vehicle for a long time. When you buy a "'new to you used vehicle" , it is always good to start fresh with all new fluids and perform basic maintenance. If you do it the way I suggested, its an easy inexpensive job.