How To Change Transfer Case Fluid in Chevy Silverado

This video shows how to change transfer case fluid in a Chevy pickup truck and SUV. Automatic transfer cases use a different type of fluid than manual transfer cases, so this video is important to watch to gain a proper understanding of the right way to replace transfer case fluid.
Below are links to everything I used so that you can easily find them. They are Amazon Affiliate links for me:
Auto-Trak II Fluid: amzn.to/31zwMwJ
Dex III ATF Fluid: amzn.to/303bhHG
Fluid Pump: amzn.to/2NnzH8j
10mm Hex Bit: amzn.to/303Z58N
Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of Midwest Garage, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. Midwest Garage assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. Midwest Garage recommends safe practices when working on vehicles and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Midwest Garage, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Midwest Garage.
FTC Disclaimer:
I am an Amazon associate. As such, I earn a percentage of sales made through Amazon associate links found in the description of my videos and on my website and other places.

[@MidwestGarage]

Below are links to everything I used so that you can easily find them. They are affiliate links for me: Auto-Trak II Fluid: amzn.to/31zwMwJ Dex III ATF Fluid: amzn.to/303bhHG Fluid Pump: amzn.to/2NnzH8j 10mm Hex Bit: amzn.to/303Z58N

[@bethrobidoux7167]

Great advice. I love the way you explain things with lots of info and no b.s. Thank you

[@davidmetchikoff]

Great simple video....thanks for posting this. Super informative.

[@Nascar-zv9lh]

Another good reason for taking the top plug out first, I learned the hard way on a excavator final drive, there will be pressure in it sometimes and taking the bottom one out first will release all that pressure and fluid will shoot out real hard. Taking top plug off releases pressure, great video though

[@zbot951]

Thank you sir for making a very simple video & also adding the proper type of fluid needed. 🙂

[@kimberlywanna1989]

Thank you!!!! I just got a truck three months ago, and I got the pump and supply. I'm super confident now.

[@sirsweetness8332]

This was the correct video on this topic. Too many people get the fluid wrong. Good correct details

[@cartelmendoza8244]

Dope video bro I watched it once and got the job done right after !

[@zc7680]

These videos are great ! I drive a 2000 Chevy Silverado and learned that the push buttons get mistaken for an automatic transfer case however it is still classified as manual. The easiest way to tell if your transfer case is automatic is if it has the Auto 4wd button above the 2H, 4H, 4L buttons.

[@thJune]

Yes. The auto 4wd has clutches in the transfer case which requires the autotrac juice

[@keithbartlett7679]

Thanks for this video yeah you made me feel bad cuz I've never gotten underneath there and done mine so I'm going to do this today great video. 2000 K2500.

[@MrRoy-rb1je]

Outstanding!

[@bigfinCamaro]

To the point, good video.

[@williamdon3442]

Good video dude

[@matt2394]

Appreciate it bro

[@jays.5436]

Thanks dude

[@BDOWNPRODUCTIONS]

Thanks man

[@MidwestGarage]

You're very welcome!

[@junkmafiallcdmc4509]

Thanks for the video. I thought I was the only one with the ridiculous hex drain bolts in mine. Unfortunately no one in town has the hex sockets 🤦 and no one has the plugs either. So looks like I'm welding a key to it to get the fill plug out (since someone stripped it)

[@kruzanJFD]

My 99 hoe (Auto 4) also has red fluid but the manual calls for Automatic Transfer Case Fluid (GM Part No.12378396). I believe this is the auto Trac II which is the blue fluid you used. Did this have Dex III when built and now it now calls for a different fluid?

[@carlkraus6034]

Auto Trak II goes in my NP236 transfer case. It is an automatic which means it has a clutch pack in it much like an automatic transmission. I don't really understand why it needs special fluid. The auto trak II has special friction modifiers in it but so does regular ATF. Anyway I do follow the manufacturer's directions. Auto trak II is kinda expensive though.

[@adammatis5527]

2 qts just ran me damn near $40.

[@carlkraus6034]

I'm paying $10/quart at napa in Auburn NY@@adammatis5527

[@shakebake9661]

I have a k2500 with the manual transfer case. Do I still need to use ATF dextron 3?

[@freedomseeker667]

I have the auto transfer case but it gets stuck in 4 low I have changed both actuator and motor to engage 4+4...but it's still stuck ...do you think it low on fluid making it not shift back to 2 wheel ?

[@nachocastaneda1085]

I have a 2003 chevy silverado 1500 my truck doesnt have the four wheel drive buttons, it has the stick it is the same?

[@roymaclean2884]

hi Midwest Garage there my friend good video there my friend by the way I got a 95 GMC K 1500 will a automatic transfer case will a manual shifter work if you swap the both of them

[@MidwestGarage]

Yup, you can swap those. Just be aware of shaft lengths and orientation of the case. In '95 and newer it shouldn't be an issue though, since they used NP 243's and 241's primarily. The NP243 transfer case that you have is basically an NP241 transfer case but with an electric motor to shift it. Keep in mind you'll have to cut a hole in your floor for the manual shifter, get the correct shifter and shifter boot, etc. I hope this helps! Thanks for the question!

[@ronnycrum7863]

I asked alot of manics some say yes some say no but is it ok to drive a truck without transfercase fuild when it's on 2hi

[@albertgomez6855]

What lift does your truck have?

[@robertaustin1945]

My 97 tahoe calls for dex 3 in the manual i run dex merc transmission fluid because you cant get dex 3 anymore and it shifts slow when it cold but its thicker fluid = thicker is better in my opinion

[@matt2394]

You don't happen to have a video on removing the transmission on the Chevy do you or removing the transfer case

[@Condor1970]

The NP246 on my 1999 K1500 Suburban has no drain plug. Only a fill plug. I'm trying to figure the easiest way to suck it out.

[@RjrEbikeCustom]

Dex 111 what type do you use

[@lepley65]

What do you have for a lift kit on that? I have a '97 Silverado I'd like get a similar height/look....

[@MidwestGarage]

Thanks for asking! I actually have a video coming out this weekend doing an overview of this truck and answer that question more in depth, but long story short it's just a 3" body lift with 33" tires. I didn't want anything too eccentric, just something to make it look better and this was perfect I thought. I'll go over how it affected gas mileage, pros/cons, other stuff with the truck, and all that jazz in the video too so you should definitely check it out!

[@vincentperry4935]

I have a 03 Chevy Silverado 4x4 all my gears not working was told it's the transfer case ??

[@wade727nelson]

So, pulled the TOP plug and mine was overfilled by a pint, maybe a quart. What impact if any you think this had?

[@minimalisticmime5459]

It might be a leaky seal from your transmission to your t case or you changed it while it was on a slanted surface no way to know unless you check the problem out

[@mitc0185]

What made you decide on the Cooper tires on your truck?

[@MidwestGarage]

Hey thanks for the question! Those Cooper's had good reviews, good tread life and warranty, and I really liked the aggressive pattern on the sidewalls too. Plus they were cheaper than most other 33" tires of similar pattern like the BFG or Mickey Thompsons. I've had them on there for about 15,000 miles now and still really like them!

[@mitc0185]

@@MidwestGarage I will probably stick with the same size I currently have. Those were actually the ones I was looking at. Right now I have Nokians which have been fine but I think they wore out a little quickly due to the rubber being a little softer. I learned after I got the Nokians that they are made to spec by Cooper in the US. I agree the sidewalls look cool on the coopers.

[@Smegma_pirate]

Are you a cooper employee fishing for some good pr?

[@aaronmoon7032]

What is usually the problem if when you take out the transfer case fill plug and alot of fluid comes out ? 93 silverado

[@junkmafiallcdmc4509]

This would just mean it was overfilled previously 👍

[@24jcirish]

You look familiar! You serve in the Corps?

[@Jonb173]

I was about to comment the same thing expect asking Army instead of Marine Corps.

[@jefffreestone8476]

I removed the fill plug and got about 2 quarts of oil out. I removed the drain plug and got about 2 more quarts out. What's going on?

[@MidwestGarage]

What the heck?? That thing was way too full...I don't even know how someone would accomplish that haha. I wonder if it was filled before it was installed so it was laying on it's side or something ya know? Either way, good catch on that. Definitely only refill it back up to the fill hole.

[@kruzanJFD]

Can fluid leak from the transmission? Maybe this is why they changed the color.

[@87hektor]

@@kruzanJFD that's probably it, bad seal.

[@bcar1ify]

Bad seal on transmission will push fluid into transfer case.

[@zbot951]

Just watched another video that said you're seal at the input to the transfer case is bad easy fix. Replace inlet tail peice or just replace the seal!

[@jacknelson789]

Wouldn't it make more sense to fill from the bottom and put the top plug in and then the bottom? Like a lower gearcase for a outdrive?