98 TJ Manual Transmission Fluid Change

leojeeper

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Shelby Co, Ohio
I have a 98 TJ with the 5 speed manual. I bought it used in August. Now that it’s getting colder I’ve notice hard shifting in 1 and 2 until it warms up some. Would a fluid change help? What should I use?


Thanks,

Gary
 
X2 to the MT-90 recommendation. Your transmission's drain is located on the passenger side front bottom corner via the drain bolt. The fill hole is half way up on the driver's side via the fill bolt.
 
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Reactions: DWR
I'll put in a vote for Royal Purple Syncromax. It is also recommended with the Redline and available locally (O'Reilly's for sure has it)
I'll second 541X's tip to crack open the fill hole before draining, just to make sure you'll be able to fill it back up
 
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Reactions: tworley
It would suck to remove the drain plug, drain your fluid and then find out you can't get the fill plug out (common problem), so as stated above, make sure the fill plug will come out first.
 
What do you do about the common problem of the fill hole not opening. Mine didn't move l'st fill I did, and I had to put it in at the shifter. I want to change my fluid to MT 90 soon.