Reverse Light Switch

[sgtsandman]

You might need to drop the transmission some in order to get enough room. Maybe remove the cross member supporting the tail of the transmission and lower it down some with a jack?

 

[Curious Hound]

You might need to drop the transmission some in order to get enough room. Maybe remove the cross member supporting the tail of the transmission and lower it down some with a jack?

But make sure nothing on top of the engine, like distributor, hits the firewall.

 

[cmcolfax]

You might need to drop the transmission some in order to get enough room. Maybe remove the cross member supporting the tail of the transmission and lower it down some with a jack?

After some more looking, it seems even if I took the four bolts out of the sides of the frame rails to drop the whole crossmember assembly, it will only give me about 1.5" before it hits the crossover pipe of the exhaust!

May be my last resort tho.
I can't have the truck OOS over this.
I've got PM to do on my other car and I've got a small window if nice weather the next day or so.

 

[sgtsandman]

After some more looking, it seems even if I took the four bolts out of the sides of the frame rails to drop the whole crossmember assembly, it will only give me about 1.5" before it hits the crossover pipe of the exhaust!

May be my last resort tho.
I can't have the truck OOS over this.
I've got PM to do on my other car and I've got a small window if nice weather the next day or so.

I hear you. I was in a similar situation not long ago. Of the three vehicles we have in the fleet, two were hard broke for a bit. With two people working in the house, we were switching taking time off so the other could go to work.

 

[SenorNoob]

I didn't read the whole thread, but what about going in from the top? Just take the shifter off.

 

[cmcolfax]

I didn't read the whole thread, but what about going in from the top? Just take the shifter off.

I thought about that when I had the interior all out.

Didn't think this was going to be this difficult.

Interior and Explorer console swap is all done and back in.

Not pulling it out again.

 

[cmcolfax]

Alright....
I'm still dragging this thread along...

How TF do you drop the transmission crossmember on this thing?

Do I have to unload the torsion bars too?

EVERYTHING is connected together!

Trans mount is bolted to a center piece, which bolts to two side pieces that house the torsion bars, which are attached to the outside of the frame?

Someon PLEASE take a picture of your and show me what actually needs to be undone!

 

[cmcolfax]

Pics

 

[cmcolfax]

>
Unbolted/removed transfer case skidplate
-Unbolted everything at transfer case mount. Put jack under transfer case to slightly raise off crossmember, removed crossmember, and set down onto a jackstand as close as possible to it's natural resting height.
Note: I was confused here as it appeared that the T-bars might use the crossmember under the transfercase as a structural member. It doesn't, but can appear that way. The crossmember sits in "ears" of the Tbar mounts, so it can take alittle prying to work it out of the ears but you'll see it doesn't relate to the tbar or any of the scary tension it has there. Even on loosening everything and supporting the transmission fully with a jack the crossmember took some pry work to pop out.

OK, I found that in an old post.

Apparently it just LOOKS like they are all connected.

So all I have to figure out is if it's JUST the two 13mm bolts on each outside frame rail

Or if it's ALL of the bolts.
2 13mm on each frame rail
2 13mm on the inner piece where the trans mount attaches
2 13mm on the outer pieces
and
2 15mm longer thru bolts

Anyone?

 

[pjtoledo]

removing the lower braces won't gain you anything because the part above it is welded to and part of the frame.
that's the part that goes up against the outside of the frame rail. it does not connect directly the center support.

just 2 vertical bolts and the thru bolt on each side hold the center section. and of course the actual tranny bolts.

EDIT: in the first pic, it's the 2 loose bolts and the thru bolt above them. yes, it's a tight/firm fit.

side note worth mentioning: exhaust pipes do not like to be flexed when things are lowered.
I'm in the rust belt, your results may not be quite as bad.

 

[cmcolfax]

just 2 vertical bolts and the thru bolt on each side hold the center section. and of course the actual tranny bolts.

EDIT: in the first pic, it's the 2 loose bolts and the thru bolt above them. yes, it's a tight/firm fit.

That's how I thought it would work.
But on the passenger side the center section sits ON TOP of the outer piece.
I had take the 2 vertical bolts (the loose ones) and the horizontal thru bolt out when I realized that.
After removing them and lowering the bottle jack nothing moved...
I'll get a picture tomorrow when I get home and take another run at it.

I'm not actually removing the transmission, I just want to drop the crossmember a little and get the trans come with it to create a little space to get my hand in and reinstall the reverse light switch.
Like 1" - 2" is all I need.

side note worth mentioning: exhaust pipes do not like to be flexed when things are lowered.
I'm in the rust belt, your results may not be quite as bad.

Ya. I'm in VA, but the truck came from Upstate NY/Erie PA as you can see by the rust on the frame and everything else..

 

[sgtsandman]

I can't help much at this point since the only time I dropped the cross member was to drop the transmission for a slave cylinder change. So, everything had to come out and I wasn’t just looking to tilt it.

 

[cmcolfax]

I can't help much at this point since the only time I dropped the cross member was to drop the transmission for a slave cylinder change. So, everything had to come out and I wasn’t just looking to tilt it.

By the time I am done with this stoopid project I will be THE authority on Ranger manual transmission reverse light switch replacement and crossmember lowering!

 

[Curious Hound]

By the time I am done with this stoopid project I will be THE authority on Ranger manual transmission reverse light switch replacement and crossmember lowering!

Are you sure? You started this in September and haven't finished yet.

 

[cmcolfax]

Are you sure? You started this in September and haven't finished yet.

I said when I finish it .. I did not give any indication of WHEN that will be .. Sheesh .. You guys are as bad as my ex-wife .. If I say I am gonna do something, I'm gonna do it .. No need to remind me about it every six months ..