Well, I gotterdone today. I found the hex sockets needed at autozone. Youneed the 14mm and the 17mm. Autozone sells a pack of 3 which includes the 12mm, 14mm and 17mm for $9.99. I also picked up a 3/8 hex socket for $4.99 for the transfer case plugs. (You can buy online as well. beats $20.00 for each socket.)
The tranny does run a little better (it really never did run bad, just a tad notchy). The old fluid looked somewhat cloudy, and the magnet on the drain plug had a fair amount of minute metal particles standing up on it. About what you would expect. Did the fluid really need to be changed at only 8,000 miles? definitely not. The fluid had a lot of life left to it (you would hope with only 8k). But now I stand satisfied that I am running a synthetic.
Next, front and rear diff!!! BTW the dang factory puts everything on so dang tight! I barely got the oil filter off the first oil change. For this job I had to run to sears to get a 15" socket breaker bar(12.99. I have always wanted one anyway). So it's all good now. I will repost if any changes happen in the future with the rp synchromax i.e. gets smoother or worse...
