Whats the best ATF for a AW4? I want to change my filter and fluid and was wondering if one fluid brand is better than another.

ATF4 is what is recommended for your XJ.

Here are some answers to your question.

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C...w=1366&bih=667

Ok, let me re-phrase my question.

What brand of atf fluid do YOU prefer in your AW4??

i just bought two gallons of coastal brand dex/mercIII after reading a bit into and getting some good recommendations from ranking members here. however apparently chrysler issued a TSB at some point saying all there trans were now supposed to run atf+4. but i decided to run the original recommendation of the designer and a cheaper brand name because it might be burning a bit and id like to figure why before i fill it with the high dollar stuff. will run for 2 weeks or maybe a few months if i like it. will update on how it does. also plan on adding a trans cooler for pulling a double axle trailer hahaha. but itll be a few weeks.

Dex/Merc

Use any name-brand Dex/Merc, Dex III, D/M, etc. Maxlife is one good choice. I've just used NAPA's ATF in mine and it works fine.

The cheapest thing on the shelf.

Lol thats kinda where I was going with this. Do I need the $5 a quart stuff or will the Walmart brand work fine. I dont wanna fry my tranny but last time I changed the fluid and filter it cost me almost $100. I wanted some experienced opinions before filling it up with walmarts finest :-) This is the only auto Trans I've ever liked and I want to keep it!

It all must meet a minimum requirement set by the petroleum institute, plus there are only a few companies that make the fluids, so you will most likely get the same stuff in a cheap bottle as you would in an expensive bottle.

That's what I thought, I just wanted a second opinion, thanks for the feedback guys. I'm off to get parts/fluids so I can go wheeling this weekend. :-)

Why do you change the filter? The trans was designed with that "filter", which is just a screen anyway, so that you only needed to do drain and fills. 3.8 quarts and a drainplug washer.

Because I abuse the **** outta my Jeep and throwing a $20 filter in it eases my conscience but you do have a point...

I went ahead and skipped the filter (screen) as the old one was still clean (only 5 yrs/10k miles old). I changed my tcase fluid while I was under there, I always thought married trans/tcases shared fluid like the 700r4 in my old blazer but they dont. So Im glad I checked it cause it was BAD! Anyways thanks for the info guys.

Yeah, when I changed my transfer case fluid it was black like oil. The PO must have thought the same thing because they took care of the other fluids