As mentioned in post #7.
I keep a heads up when I see shift levers that can probably leak due to a bad boot or some did not even have a boot. I install a umbrella on the shift lever close to the xmission. Can use a stout plastic pill body or eqiv and fill the underside with grease and slide it down over the shifter.
Some of the levers had a metal umbrella welded onto the shift lever close to the swivel joint and no rubber boot.
I've seen xmissions freeze in the winter due to water inside that got in through the shift lever.
A heads up is when you check the smission oil level and it's too full. Crack the drain plug and water will usually drain off first if the eq has been at rest for several days, the water separates From the oil and is on the bottom. Usually if the oil is white it has water mixed.