As I indicated earlier, my recently purchased 96 Cherokee was severely neglected. When I looked at it initially, there was no transmission fluid showing on the dip stick! The owner and I went down to the auto store and bought two qts of tranny fluid which brought it up but still not full. It ran and shifted okay and the 4WD worked on the test drive, so I bought it. While draining the old fluid to replace the screen, I noticed that despite the two quart dilution, it still looked like thin chocolate pudding. Nonetheless, I installed the new screen, gasket, and discount fluid.

The garage wanted $400 to extract all the fluid (8-9 qts ?) , but I found a cheaper solution on u-tube. You disconnect the transmission fluid cooler line to the radiator ( I bypassed it entirely and installed a new fluid radiator ) , start the motor, measure the fluid coming out ( + - 2.5 qts ), shut off the motor, refill the same quantity, repeat the process until it comes out clear, reconnect and top off fluid. You can save a little by buying the discount stuff by the gallon ($12 qt) for the initial flush(s) and replace last ( + - 2.5 qt ) exchange(s) with quality ($15 qt) fluid. I lost count, but I think it ran around $150 for the job. It wasn’t terrible before, but it sure shifts smoother now.

goodyoleboy

 

Cool, nice find! I'd be looking for a leak somewhere if it was that low. Common places are the o-rings in the fittings at the trans or cooler connector, or the lines are worn through where the got through the hangers along the passenger side of the engine.

 

Well the engine oil wasn't much better so I doubt it got much, if any, maintenance. So far no leaks, but I'll keep an eye on those locations.

Declare victory and move on! :-)

goodyoleboy