bradleyheathhays

Prob should have done this long ago but I'm just getting around to replacing my trans fluid and filter on my '96 XJ and was wondering if there was any procedural advice out there on getting this done.

Any specific filter or fluid recommended?

thanks

NewbJeep

Lots of info available on search. The filter isn't a filter but a screen. Just keeps big things from being sucked up. It's more trouble than it's worth to drop the pan. There's a drain plug. Unplug, drain (~1 gal.), plug and refill with Dex/Merc. Walmart brand will do. If it's really nasty fluid, run the truck for a few miles and do it again. Don't dump money and time into the aw4 trans. It's tough.

Ignore this and wait for a more knowledgeable member if your '96 doesn't have the aw4

cruiser54

Drain and fill. 3.8 quarts of Dex/Merc.

Leave the pan on if the gasket is not leaking.

Dumajones

Yep like others have said, the filter is just screen. The trans filter on the AW4 does not have the same job to do as an oil or air filter.
All it does is keep large particles down in the pan and not circulating with the fluid. No need to change it unless your are dropping the pan.

BlueRidgeMark

Don't let the parts counter guy tell you anything other than Dex/Merc. Chrysler gave some bad info out and its in all the databases.

The transmission's manufacturer says Dex/Merc, so that's what you should use. It's more properly called Dexron III / Mercon, but most people just call it Dex/Merc.

bradleyheathhays

thanks for all the advice. Thankfully I have a drain plug so I'm guessing I have an AW4 transmission although I'm not entirely sure about that.

To be honest I've had the rig for about 10 years now from 78k miles to 172k and not once have I managed to change out the trans fluid. considering how old it is should I try to do some kind of system flush like I've seen on youtube. Or since nothing appears to be leaking should I just drain and fill a few times running some in between?

NewbJeep

Post #5, number three in Mark's signature if you want to do a full change out of the fluid

2heapjeeps

I haven't changed trans fluid in xj for the 3-4 years I've owned it. Only added. Same with the zj but have only owned that about one year. Every automatic I've owned has had tranny issues after a fluid and or filter change. Whether done in a shop or at home. Every time I haven't messed with it, hasn't been a problem. But that's not very smart logic.

kgm

Got mine at 154K with what looked like original fluid. Drained it out with drain& fills over a year at every oil change. Now its clean as a whistle and shifts better. Magic AW4.

cruiser54

Incredible transmission.

aroundincircles

I just swapped mine out because the gasket was basically holding nothing in at all...

I would have preferred to just drain fill. But I was surprised to see How little material was stuck to the magnets for how abused my jeep was before I bought it (original trans fluid when I bought it).

cruiser54

It's amazing isn't it?

Think about this.

If it were not for the 4.0 and the AW4, our Jeeps would have gone the way of the S-10 Blazer and Bronco II.

NewbJeep

Another drain and fill this week. I didn't think the shifts could get better. My god, now so smooooooooooooth
~190k on trans

cruiser54

Very typical.

JeremyXJ

I'm on my second AW4 in my '96 and it shifts like garbage. Proper fluid, new solenoids, aftermarket cooler, second TCU, new sensors... I think I'm one of a handful of people who hate them.

To the OP, just drain and refill once. If the fluid is super dark or it makes you feel better, drain and refill it one more time, after a couple days of driving. You should be fine.