So last night it got about 0-10*f and while driving home from out of town my manual transmission started squeaking. What sounded like a possible bearing started at about 30-40mph and went away after about 5 minutes. I'm thinking the transmission fluid was thickening up from the cold, I'm just wondering if this is normal/acceptable or if there's something I can do to make it stop

 

I would suspect the pilot bearing first.

 

I'm thinking it's something to do with the output shaft or transfer case chain. The bearing would cause it to squeak depending on rpm but it squeaks depending on speed. I'm wondering if somehow I would be able to spin the tires or let it idle in gear I could let the transmission warm up a bit before I drive it. Just and idea though.

 

Aha, I put the transfer case in neutral and I can let it idle in 2nd gear to warm the transmission up without driving it. Will see if this works in a bit when the engine warms up