Around 5 quarts seems to be the accepted fill point. I put an extention on my fill port and can (over)fill it through the T-case lever hole with a tranny funel.

 

Add a quart, for a total of 4.5 qts.

 

You guys think that the first gen seats are better than second gen? That's one of the only things I like better about my 96, its more comfortable by far between the seats and larger cab. My 96 is a club cab though, I haven't been in a standard cab 94+ enough to form an opinion on their comfort.

 

what do you intend to use the rig for? 1st gens are great if you are into doing stuff yourself. If you intend to tow or really work it you will need wm or an intercooler. The only model I would trade my truck for is a 92-93, stock intercooler and bigger frame. As far as the quality of truck, the first gen is put together better than second(which is pretty sad really). The best thing out of the your current truck is the dana 80, imo. But thats the cool thing about the 1stgen, the sky is the limit when it comes to cool mods/swaps.

 

Could just have the wrong fluid in it. But it could also be a bad syncro. A bearing/syncro kit is pretty cheap, and they are relatively simple transmissions to overhaul.
Nothin wrong with the rags. My only complaint is this son-who-ha is noisy. Not a quiet trans. Maybe its the synthetic, but at least i know the input bearing is getting oil... PO put gear oil in and about 20k on it since i got it and bam, input bearing/race looks like cheese.

 

Like Dave said, if you want a huge hp truck, then stick with the '94. Personally, I would rather have a P-pumped engine, but a 1st gen body. If yoo plan on keeping the truck close to stock, you can't go wrong with either one.

 

I'm running amsoil 5w-30 syncromesh in mine. 185,000 miles and it shifts great into all gears. It's really fairly quiet unless you are running low speeds. Dad just bought a 90 with a 115,000 and it doesn't shift as well as mine does. I'm thinkin it could use some different oil.

 

more solid advice, thanks. i used to tow small travel trailers only. vintage ones, for my hobby gone wild. but lately i've been towing 20-25' trailers sometimes long distances and over mountain passes. some around 6000lbs. but not everyday. only really once a month. so i like the power when i need it, but mostly i want a fuel efficient daily driver that looks classic. also i like the 5spd so i can coast everywhere.
my 94 just sprung an unidentified oil leak, which i am uncomfortable selling as is. so untill i can iron out that issue, the 'trade' will have to put off.
the truck was on Bend, OR craigslist. its the brown and gold truck (my personal 'grail' truck). if anyone wants to trade a 1st gen brown and gold 5spd, 4x4 or 2wd, with good paint, stock looking, for my 94 let me know.