Trans. fluid change 96 XJ

[Solomon7]

So I checked my fluid and it looks pretty brown, not burnt though. I got this rig about 6 months ago and finally have some time to change the fluids. My ?? is is there a way to change it without removing the pan ; I see a bolt that looks like a drainbolt right in the middle of the pan. I know I should probably change the filter too (124000) but don't know how tool time and labor consuming that is or if I need to take it to a shop. I hate to sound lazy but I work 60 hours a week and rarely have time.

[AlohaBra]

Yup...I am lazy too, but IMHO...as a service tech...the filter is not that dirty, usually.....

I did a drain and dump, but I flushed it also...changing as much as I can without dropping the pan.

I wrote about this last summer. "search".....here...

[Solomon7]

Ijust found ypur post about pulling the tran cooler tube at the rad. Which tube, and do I drain from the tube and fill at the normal check spot up top or by drain are you talking about the drain bolt on the tranny pan?? I really appreciate your help bros and sis's. LOL

[Ray H]

If all you want to do is drain the fluid thats in the pan, just unscrew the drain plug and let it drain. Refill through the dipstick tube. If you want to change the filter, you must drop the pan which requires disconnecting the dip stick tube just above the bend.
I didnt read the thread you mentioned but it sounds like he ws describing doing a flush. You can do that without dropping the pan but you must disconnect the trans lines going to the radiator.

[Solomon7]

After a night of thought I've decided to just do the whole deal and chane gasket fluid and filter. The fluid really looks like crap and I did get it from the forest service.Those guys aren't known for strict maintenance schedules, and I bet the filter hasn't been changed in A WHILE. Someone told me there's a risk of the new fluid removing old varnish off the bands and the transmission dying 50 miles after a change. He did say it was on Chevys and Fords. How about Jeep XJ's. Never heard of it but I'm a cautious one ( it's my DD!) with my rig in the driveway so I do't have to be cautious with it on the trail. Research research research.

[AlohaBra]

The main thing is to use only Dexron III or Mercon. No synthetic stuff.

Note: DIII is the replacement for DII.