1991 Nissan D21 Pickup 4x4

[chaddeihl]

I have this little truck on loan from a friend but he doesnt know the answer to this question. I have the manual transmission and the manual transmission fluid is low. I know there are different types to use and I want to make sure I use the right one so it doesnt overheat. Do I need .3, .5 or what? Can someone please advise on the proper fluid/weight I need to add?

Thank you.
I love this little pickup and dont want to add the wrong stuff.

[seang]

Recommended lube is GL-4 without sulfides. Sulfides in some oils attack yellow metals like the bronze synchros.

Also, the fill plug on your transmission is an inch too low from the factory and needs to be overfilled. You can park the drivers side high, like on a curb, and overfill it that way; or you can unbolt the shifter and pour it through there.

[lino]

Just buy some from the local dealer to be safe.

[RT22]

Yeah go to dealer it may cost a bit more but trannies are real expensive.

[Rev_D21]

Just make sure the dealer sells you GL4 and not GL5. GL5 does not substitute for GL4 no matter how much they tell you it does. Redline oils makes MTL and MT 90 which work well.

[benre]

I have a 97 2.4 4WD and I am wondering how much fluid an "inch" is and why Nissan would put the filler cap too low. Also, is this something verified by Nissan?

[seang]

I'm not sure if Nissan verified it or not, or if they issued any recall about it. I haven't had any problems from overfilling mine, though. Maybe later I will look for a recall list. From what I know 4wd models are the only ones where the filler plug is low.

[chaddeihl]

Is Royal Purple a reputable brand? I was told I could use this gear oil as well, but wanted to check with you guys. I also have a 2nd question. I crawled underneath the truck and after having a rebuilt transmission put in a couple years ago I notice a small leak at the transfer case ( transfer case fluid ). I am just wondering about the fluid that I add under the hood - is this the same fluid thats leaking underneath? When I checked the leak underneath there is a slight amount of metal shavings visible in the fluid. Is this a sign of needing replacement or just low fluid? Thanks for the two part answer here.

[seang]

I hear the rear transfer case seal is easy to fix. I have ATF in my transfer, but I have heard it is not a bad idea to use GL4 in that, too.

[benre]

Is there a Nissan Tech i can talk to about how much fluid to add over the level of the bottom of the fluid plug on my 97 Nissan HB 2.4l 4WD Manual ?

[seang]

Probably. If you want to, you can make a thread about it in the "online mechanic" sub-forum. I'm pretty sure there are Nissan certified techs who are members here, just not trolling the trucks forum everyday that is why I recommended the other one, too.

[Desert Rat]

Jack the left side up or run both left side tires up on normal car ramps, and then fill the transmission like you normally would. That'll allow you to put in about an extra quart of oil.

As others have stated, GL4 ONLY. Napa sells conventional GL4 usually in 2 quart jugs.

Normal 75 or 80w90 GL5 is fine for the Transfer Case. There's no soft metals in there (synchros) to deteriorate.

[benre]

So I should add roughly an extra quart? Where did you come about this info? I posted a thread in the online mechanic and still haven't gotten a response.

[rizzobc]

dude these guys know what they are talking about. if you need info, Desert Rat, and Rev D and pejsa are the go to guys. they have been doing this stuff for years and are tried and true.

[Desert Rat]

So I should add roughly an extra quart? Where did you come about this info? I posted a thread in the online mechanic and still haven't gotten a response.

I own another Nissan trucks related website with over 5k members, and I also have owned Nissan trucks for a while and have done this myself.

[RT22]

Does the manual list the actual amount? if so drain fill to plug and see if it matches, if not then put wheel up on a ramp and fill it up to spec amount. That is a bit better than just guessing at how much more it really needs. This is assuming the manual or some shop can be spot on of the amount it holds after draining.

[benre]

Sorry for being so critical. I have done quite a bit of work on many diff. cars. Just seems odd is all. I will add a little more than half a quart and go from there.

I have a lack of power in the my 97 2.4 4wd, and used to own a 94 2wd, the 2wd drove so much quicker. I changed my fuel filter and the downstream O2 sensor and it still has a lack of power. Already changed the air filter, plugs cap and rotor. I am wondering if I should just change the other O2 sensor, or is there are any spark plugs that you recommend. Or if I just expect too much from the 4wd. It just doesn't go from 50-70 very well. All the stuff i have done has improved the response but not enough.

Thanks!

[Desert Rat]

The 2wd is a lot lighter, ran smaller tires, and was geared differently. The 4 banger 4x4 trucks are all slow. Just a fact of life.

For plugs, I always stick with the NGK's that were OEM in the truck.

[benre]

The truck has 16'' 4 bar nissan rims with a/t tires. How much would this effect my power? I want 15'' rims so the tires are cheaper mainly, but if i had big mud tires on smaller rims Id still have powerloss?

[seang]

The outside circumference of the tire, not the rim size, will affect the final drive ratio. There are probably other charictaristics of larger rims, too, mainly shorter sidewalls and fashion statements. Not really sure what shorter sidewalls are good for; but I will guess that the shorter a sidewall is, the less the tire can articulate around rough terrain like rocks and logs before running into the rim itself.

[Saudade]

Shorter sidewalls reduce sidewall flex. A good thing on a vehicle that sees high cornering forces and you want to improve the cornering ability. Most people these days do the big wheel, short sidewall to get more wheel (more chrome) without changing the overall tire diameter.

Changing the overall wheel diameter alters the speedo calibration and can shift the engine's powerband relative to speed.