Seems pretty dark for a year. Mike changed my old trans and he said it looks good still just super smelly after 15 years

The color of the fluid is very likely due to the fact that I put in some cheap fluid for a week after first installing the trans. Reason I did this was it had been sitting for a while and the fluid inside of it was pretty gnarly. So I ran that cheap fluid for a week then put in MT-90. The color is likely due to this.

Is the steering box quiet?

Steering box seems to be doing great. Don't think it is that. Besides the noise happens when holding steady and straight and goes away with clutch in so I'm confident that it is not the box.

I'm always thinking I hear new noises after I work on my rig.its the perfectionist in us that makes these noises.run it like you stole it, if it breaks it needed fixed anyways.my 2cents

I'm definitely not hearing things. It is very prominent.