91 ranger 3.0 a4ld auto tranny installation HELP!!!

[mike_reno2009]

I have a 91 ranger with a 3.0 V6. The AUTOMATIC transmission went out. I bought a donor truck. A 92 with a 3.0 Everything was going great until I had trouble getting the top two bolts out to remove the transmission. Since this was a parts truck I just cut the floorpans to get to them. Got the tranny loose. When I went to lower the transmission the top of the bellhousing hit the floorpan. I slid it backward, turned at all kinds of angles and no luck. Again I had to cut the floorpans. Got the transmission out. Now I want to install it in my 91 ranger. But I know there is no way I am going to be able to lift it in there and I sure don't wanna cut my truck up. I had gravity on my side with the other one and it still was a pain in the a$$. Please help with any pointers. I do not have a vehicle lift or anything. Just some jackstands, jacks and concrete blocks... proud_parents4@yahoo.com

 

[trail B2]

I have a 2" body lift and it helps pull out the tranny but if you take out the crosspipe it gives you more room.Somebody else might be able to help you more on that.The best way to get over the top bolts is with a long set of extentions over the top of the tranny with a wobbly at the end works great with a 3/8 gun.If you have to you can put a jack under the front of the motor to tilt it toward you a little to help get to it.The thing to watch with the A4ld is it has 3 stages for the torque converter to go on if it backs off one stage the motor won't turn over when you bolt the 2 together.What helped me was to put 2 of the longest bolts I could find with the heads cut off screwed in the block to help line up the torque converter.

 

[mike_reno2009]

questions

Thank you trail B2,

I am sure you have helped. I do want to clarify something tho. With the two top bolts you are saying get to them from underneath the vehicle correct? I had planned to remove the distributor to get to them from the top but your way seems so much easier. I did notice the cross pipe was in the way and I do plan to remove it before installation. If anyone else has any more advice I would very much appreciate it. I had considered dropping the brace that the suspension bolts to to make it easier but they are rivited in and I am not sure how easy it would be to drill them out. I still need help guys. I am young and new to pulling/installing transmissions.

 

[Robert_1967]

I just put a A4LD in my 89 bronco II, it was a pain, I had to tilt it and lift, I rented a trans jack that had two knobs for tilting the trans, made it alot easyer, I bolted the four other bolts up first, the one on the pass side you can get to it through the wheel well, I had to trim the inner plastic a little, but then I could reach through and put it in, and use a box wrench to tighten it, after that I jacked up the tail of the tranny till it hit the floor, and that gave me enought room to get the drivers side in and tighten it up with a box wrench, the hardest part for me was the tranny lines, I couldn't ge them to line up right to start on, so I ended up cutting them, and running rubber 3/8 trans line to the rad cooler in front.

I hope this helps you some.

Robert