for 4x4 or 4-wheel drive transfer cases, I know there are a few different designs as of late. I'm specifically asking about the Chrysler/Jeep NV242 on a 2003 Grand Cherokee, but if anyone has info in general that's cool too.
Chrysler specs atf+4 for the transfer case on my 2003 Jeep. In case you don't know, ATF+4 is not easy to come by like other fluids; it's only available from the dealer to my knowledge, and at around $7 a quart. I've read internet blurbs of as high as $20 a quart, not sure if it is true but I know firsthand GM sells their 75w-90 synthetic gear oil for $17/quart. So not totally unbelievable.
Question is, what's the chance the atf+4 spec for the NV242 case in the 2003 is just for commonality?
Would ATF+3 work just as well in it? How about standard Mercon/Dexron ATF?
I will be purchasing the service manual for the Jeep in the near future, but until then does anyone have technical info on the NV242 which would dictate which fluid(s) can be used?
As far as I know, it has an open differential in it, which allows full-time 4-wheel drive by allowing the front axle to turn at different speeds than the rear axle. This is no different than an open differential in the rear axle, allowing the left and right wheels to spin at different speeds, no? If that's all there is to it, then I can't foresee any special requirement to use ATF+4, like you would in an automatic transmission which is designed about the frictional characteristics of the atf.
Couple other questions, since the NV242 according to my info is "Center Differential: Open, Planetary with low-range lock",
wouldn't a GL-4 type "Gear" Oil be better for the transfer case than ATF?
Last question(s): the transfer case gears are always spinning when the vehicle is moving, correct? So it would always needs lubrication whenever the vehicle moves? This is unlike the front differential when operating in 2-wheel rear wheel drive, with front hubs unlocked; in this case if I had no oil in the front differential I could theoretically never have a problem as long as I never put it in 4-wheel drive?
I'm trying to get a handle on what type of oil and how often I should service the transfer case with, if it's low-duty then I won't worry, but if it sees the same duty as say the rear differential or transmission, then i'll change the fluid as often and with a good fluid.
http://www.wjjeeps.com/tcases.htm
Chrysler specs atf+4 for the transfer case on my 2003 Jeep. In case you don't know, ATF+4 is not easy to come by like other fluids; it's only available from the dealer to my knowledge, and at around $7 a quart. I've read internet blurbs of as high as $20 a quart, not sure if it is true but I know firsthand GM sells their 75w-90 synthetic gear oil for $17/quart. So not totally unbelievable.
Question is, what's the chance the atf+4 spec for the NV242 case in the 2003 is just for commonality?
Would ATF+3 work just as well in it? How about standard Mercon/Dexron ATF?
I will be purchasing the service manual for the Jeep in the near future, but until then does anyone have technical info on the NV242 which would dictate which fluid(s) can be used?
As far as I know, it has an open differential in it, which allows full-time 4-wheel drive by allowing the front axle to turn at different speeds than the rear axle. This is no different than an open differential in the rear axle, allowing the left and right wheels to spin at different speeds, no? If that's all there is to it, then I can't foresee any special requirement to use ATF+4, like you would in an automatic transmission which is designed about the frictional characteristics of the atf.
Couple other questions, since the NV242 according to my info is "Center Differential: Open, Planetary with low-range lock",
wouldn't a GL-4 type "Gear" Oil be better for the transfer case than ATF?
Last question(s): the transfer case gears are always spinning when the vehicle is moving, correct? So it would always needs lubrication whenever the vehicle moves? This is unlike the front differential when operating in 2-wheel rear wheel drive, with front hubs unlocked; in this case if I had no oil in the front differential I could theoretically never have a problem as long as I never put it in 4-wheel drive?
I'm trying to get a handle on what type of oil and how often I should service the transfer case with, if it's low-duty then I won't worry, but if it sees the same duty as say the rear differential or transmission, then i'll change the fluid as often and with a good fluid.
http://www.wjjeeps.com/tcases.htm