Proper fluid for the 1983 NP208

[Rande]

Anyone have a service manual for 1983? Anyone know for certain what the lube is for the '83 NP208?

I have an '81 service manual and it calls for 10W-30 oil. I have heard that this was changed to auto-tranny fluid at some time. There seems to me to be a big difference between 10W-30 motor oil and tranny fluid.

I was planning on diving under the truck to drain and refill soon and wanted to find this out before I pull the drain.

[kyjman]

The 1981 208 does use oil. However, 1982 and newer have to have the ATF. Dextron II or III. I have run mine with a small amount of 10 weight oil mixed in and it seemed to do well. Buy yourself a hand pump for about 5 bucks and use a 1 gallon plastic jug. Screw the pump on the jug and you can easily pump the new fluid into the X-case.

[joe]

Rande,
In 82 either New Process or AMC changed their minds and called for ATF(Dexron type). An 83/208 would call for ATF so that's prolly what will fall out of yours when you pull the plug. FWIW the earlier and later 208's are identical including bearings, gears...
"I" would put ATF in it but I'm sure 10w-30 motor lube will work just fine. There's lots of them still out there running on motor oil. If you're in doubt just replace what falls out. The lube whatever's in there worked for 20 years. Odds are it'll continue to work for you. ;)

[Rande]

Thanks guys, Just wanted to be ready when I go under there. Its cold around here for some reason and I don't want to walk to the store when I find out I have the wrong stuff on hand.