4.0 L removal questions

[grh777]

I have a 92 Ranger with 4.0 and automatic trans. I am removing the engine and have everything disconnected except the motor mount bolts and transmission. My question is do I have to remove the transmission first? How do I get to the converter to unbolt it from the flywheel? There is no access plate. And last, how do I get to the top two bolts on the transmission? There is only about an inch between the body and transmission. The Haynes manual is no help at all. Any help will be appreciated.

 

[Big Jim M]

On a manual tranny I actually BENT a wrench so I could get it to those top two bolts. With an automatic I'd prolly just take them both out from the top at the same time and take them apart on the bench.
Big JIm

 

[Nhaz]

In order to get the torque converter off you have to remove the starter motor.

Thats your access plate. Once the starter is out you will be able to see the nuts on the torque converter. I believe they are 10mm. You will have to use large ratchet on the crank to turn the engine to access all the nuts.

The Top two bolts are fun but here is how I do it. Making sure the transmission cross member is off and all the other crap holding it up. Lower the backside of the transmission as far as it will drop using only the motor mounts to hold everything up. .

I used at this point a 2 foot extension with another 2 foot extension(you don't actually need it 4 feet long, its all I had) and a impact wobbly on the end. Stand behind the tailshaft and have a friend line up the long ass extension and use a breaker bar or a impact gun and it should come right out. I put these back the same way. This works on 85 mustangs too =>

For safety sake I usually leave 1 bolt in each easier to access sides to make sure the tranny isn't going anywhere when I take the top ones out.

 

[grh777]

Nahz, this is what someone else suggested I do but I was hoping they were wrong.. There is a cross member at the front with two bolts in the middle with the exhaust up above it . Looks like they swing down. Do I need to take these loose? And, do I need to remove the drive shaft? There is also a cross member under it near the rear.
Thanks Nahz and Big Jim

 

[kevinsranger]

Nahz, this is what someone else suggested I do but I was hoping they were wrong.. There is a cross member at the front with two bolts in the middle with the exhaust up above it . Looks like they swing down. Do I need to take these loose? And, do I need to remove the drive shaft? There is also a cross member under it near the rear.
Thanks Nahz and Big Jim

i went thru the access plate from inside the cab with some extensions, it worked out really well!

you definitely need to remove the driveshaft, the trans mount, not the radius arm mount, and you will probably need to either remove the exhaust or lift the cab off the frame a bit to clear the trans.

 

[Nhaz]

Yes the driveshaft has to come off. Use a torch to heat the bolts holding the driveshaft to the flanges to come lose. This is normal, they are put it with locktite 99% of the time. When you put it back you should also use red locktite on the threads.

The transmission cross-member has to come off the truck.

The radius arm mount does not.

The Y pipe is going to be a Bugger. You have 2 choices.

#1 Take the y pipe Off the truck which will lead to a series of problems that are just going to be a utter bitch with snapped bolts in the manifold which will NOT come apart without snapping bolts. unless you get really lucky.

#2 . This is almost as involved as getting the y pipe off but its less likely you will snap bolts in places that are impossible to work on. You have to unbolt the 3 bolts holding the PASSENGER side of the cab. and Only Loosen the bolts about 1 inch on the DRIVERS side. This will take at least a hour since you get to pull up the carpet to get to 1 side of those bolts. Once they are loosened and whatnot you need to jack up the Passenger side of the cab 2 inches Off the frame of the truck.

This will give you clearance you get that damn tranny over the Y-pipe.

There are lots of people that have posted that they have managed to get the tranny out without having to do either of these things. Maybe you will as well. But I recommend you do 1 of those two things before trying to get it out.