Automatic Transmission Fluid

[Turbotim2]

Which ATF is spec for an 85 Eagle?

[AMC of Houston]

Dexron II (data from various AMC manuals).

[Canoe]

DEXRON II for automatic transmission and the transfercase
replaced by DEXRON III which was backwards compatible for the transmission, but for some reason not for the transfercase
Since it is no longer made and no longer made under licence...

The good news is that the newer fluids have a lot more science into what goes into them, for performance, longevity and protection.

The garage that rebuilt my 258 consulted with their supplier and decided upon Mopar ATF+4 (Chrysler) for my '86 (guessing: likely because the TorqueFlite is made by Chrysler), and it works fine.

Carguy87 liked the ATF+3 or ATF+4 for improved shifting
http://forums.amceaglesden.com/index.php?topic=39085.0

Search amceaglesden to see what other's experience has been with what they've substituted the Dexron II with.

Trickier is what to use for the transfercase.

[Turbotim2]

Ok, thanks. 

[Turbotim2]

When I look up ATF for the Eagle on auto parts stores and websites, this is what usually comes up first:

https://www.valvoline.com/en-thailand/our-products/automatic-transmission-oil/maxlife-atf

My experience with putting synthetic fluids in any older piece of equipment usually results in failure.  Is ATF+4 synthetic? 

[Canoe]

I see the claim that ATF+4 is specified to be a full synthetic oil. I do not know if that is true.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mopar_Automatic_Transmission_Fluid#1998_-_ATF+4_type_MS-9602_fluid

The ATF+4 fluid is composed of a Texaco produced Extra High Viscosity Index (XHVI) Group 3 base oil plus an additive package developed by Lubrizol[9]. This fluid outperforms and outlasts the previous ATF+3 fluid Material Standard and was first used in some Chrysler mini-van transmissions in November of 1999. This fluid is considered a "Fill for Life" fluid by Chrysler. Do not confuse this fluid with Toyota's Type T-IV, they are not interchangeable.

The ATF+4 Type MS-9602 Fluid Material Standard was revised in 2003 (MS-6902 Change C) for the newly developed 6-speed transmissions. This fluid is compatible with the previous ATF+, ATF+2, and ATF+3 fluids, but not compatible with Dexron fluids. This was Chrysler's first "Lifetime" fluid with no fluid or filter changes required under "Normal" driving conditions.

Not compatible means do not mix them together. Do not top off a Dexron with ATF+4.

I'd suggest you search eaglesden to get peoples feedback on their experiences with what they used.