Apps,
I have a 95 JGC with the 5.2L and had my transfercase rebuilt in 2000 for $2,300. The dealer told me that there was no fluid in it when they cracked it open.
It sounds like you may have caught yours early enough to avoid a rebuild. At the time I also had never noticed ANY leaks so I am still baffled today at where the fluid went. My thought as someone mentioned, was that maybe somebody screwed around with and drained the fluid. I doubt it but have no other possible ideas.
After that expensive repair, I began to have a leak in one of the seals about 2yrs later. Since the dealer had a VERY VERY difficult time finding parts for the transfercase and could not find a replacement, they said Chrysler no longer manufactures it, I have decided to not have anyone touch it. I leave cardboard under it in the garage and top it off with fluid every 2 weeks. I am scared to have someone open it up only to find out parts aren't available. If I knew, that it could be repaired for a reasonable amount of money, I would do it in a heartbeat because I love the vehicle but am not going to risk putting it on the lift to find out it has to be totalled.
Recently I started considering buying a remanufactured transfercase from
www.drivetrain.com for about $750 and getting a local mechanic to do the job. I figure that the whole thing will run about $1,100 but I will essentially have a new xfercase. Given $500/month for a new car payment, the new xfercase might be worth the money.
Good luck and please post anything you find out as I am interested for my own situation.
Thanks