So I just bought a 1996 Dakota 4x4 with 318 and manual tranny. I tried putting it in 4hi and it makes an awful clunking noise when barely even accelerating to 10mph. I've also noticed a softer clicking noise during normal driving in 2hi. I'm pretty sure it's the transfer case. I haven't checked the fluids yet since I'm at school all week, but I want to change them next weekend. I'm not familiar with these trucks and have never had a 4x4. What kind of fluid is should put in the transfer case/manual tranny? Haven't been able to find a definite answer anywhere. Thanks for any help

 

If its a 231 t case, it takes atf +4. The nv3500 manual I'm unsure of, I know the ax15 (v6 manual trans) takes gear oil, gli5 I think.

 

Thanks for the info. Ordered a couple quarts of atf+4 that should be here by friday. Hopefully that'll fix the clunking, I don't want to spend hundreds of dollars right off the bat. As for the NV3500 I've found that it takes synchromesh fluid.
Awesome truck by the way!