Just to reiterate, when you checked it, you did so with the engine & trans warmed up, engine idling, with the vehicle parked on a flat/level surface, correct?

 

yes, each time i check it. after that, i turn it off and immediately check it just to see where its at.

 

13 in the transmission after a total rebuild .

 

Don't worry about the level once you shut it off. You are only dealing with the level with the engine running, up to full temp, while on a flat level surface. Fill until it is in the hashed area and let it go. Recheck it after you do some driving and fill as necessary. If the level is going down, the fluid has to be going somewhere.

And that 13qts is on a completely dry transmission. With a pan drop, you won't get anywhere close to that. 5-7qts is about all you'll replace with a pan drop.

 

ok, thanks guys. i checked the transfer case again this afternoon, more paranoid than anything. it checked out fine so i know the seal i put in is ok. i will add more fluid to the hash. thanks for all, i just thought i might be missing something.