Looking for a definitive answer (transfer case fluid)

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leftthelightson

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LN130 Surf A343F. 2LTE 2.4. 91/92 (whichever).

I need to know what to put in the transfer case.

What I've done on my own end: I'm far from pro-AI but will use the one built into Google for extremely simple questions sometimes. Now on hour 36+ of this "extremely simple" question, down a million forum rabbit holes, ready to just put it in neutral and lay in front of it.

The transfer case: does this thing need ATF or gear oil?

I've read every educated guess that exists, it seems like. Here and everywhere else. Would love to hear from someone running one of these what they are personally using in (essentially) the exact same car.
 
For further ref-- legitimately every source contains some form of conflicting information. Sometimes this is conflicting info between source A and source B; but I'm actually talking about people going back and forth in equal measure on forum posts saying BOTH. And sureness from AI models means nothing, but even that is constant "sure" yes and then no and then yes and then no back and forth totally endlessly.
 
Still can't be 100% sure what was in it. It was emptied yesterday and I wasn't present for the show.

I don't think either of us realized at the time how important it was to check what was actually in there. Didn't seem necessary. I had gear oil lined up to throw in because I just assumed that was what it needed. Had no idea I'd be struggling to sort out what it actually required.

All the fluid (and in the difs too) was in awful shape so it wasn't like 1 nice bucket of reasonable gear oil and 1 nice one of reasonable ATF.

From what I understand it appeared to be trans fluid (or at least totally different from the gear oil in viscosity & in color).

Saw pictures of the aftermath. It did look like ATF compared to the gear oil on the paper towel beside it. Have since read that there can be some bleeding, though, that makes gear oil make look more like the trans fluid.

I have seen a lot of info pointing towards gear oil for sure. Have def seen a lot that indicates more towards the atf also. Basic research suggests that because it's an automatic, it's almost definitely trans fluid that's needed. Other research suggests that 2.4 turbos are the "only" (again, this wavers) autos that require gear oil more traditionally associated w the manuals

No manual on-hand or available promptly

Leaning more towards gear oil myself right now. Just not sure... and not in the mood to find out banging around in the mountains in the heat either
 
My own internet research has told me that LN130s were paired with chain-driven (ATF) vs. gear driven (gear oil) transfer cases for these transmissions (340s and 343s). Before something like 93 or 95 or so anyway.

Seems like mid-later 90s models (fzj80 is one good example) of some other vehicles then made the switch over to gear driven 340s/343s

This is all just stuff I've found. I'm obviously far from sure or I wouldn't be here, so grateful for any input regardless
 
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