My owners manual says to use gm # 88861800 man. Trans fluid. My shop manual says to use gm# 12378470 dextron 3...... I'm guessing that the dex3 is for push button on dash applications and the manual trans fluid is for the floor shift application(which i have)....any thoughts on why the 2 different fluids?
what are you guys using in the manual transfer case?

Most are using Dex 3 or a good synthetic 10W30 motor oil filled up to the sensor hole, which makes it 3 quarts instead of 2.

I use Royal Purple MTL (manual trans lubricant). It looks like a blue auto trans fluid. It says it's made for 4X4 transfer cases, manual trans and 2 stroke motorcycle transmissions. Seems to be working fine at $10.00 a Qrt though. I just put in two Qrts.

I'm running Mobil 1 ATF (synthetic) in my manual xfer case. Some are adament about using 5w-30 engine oil, while others say stick with the trans fluid. I chose to go with trans fluid, but went high grade synthetic to help stave off the reported evaporation somewhat.

I only put 10-12k miles on my per year as an average, so I'll check it this fall, when I do the fluid changes.

Thanks for the repiles....i'm still undeceided as to what to use.. The royal purple or either mobil 1 is probably a good choice. I won't be changing fluid until sept...still time to decide..thanks

Dextron 4 is out and it is backwards compatable. I don't know much about it but I heard from sombody it's full synthetic. Wallmart even carries it now because Chrysler uses it. If it's backwards compatable I won't buy dex3 anymore. Anybody got the scoop on it?