Clutch replacement on 99 4x4

[FL_forlife33]

I've done a good deal of work to my truck on my own, and have helped pull trannies out of trucks and stuff.. So i'm pretty comfortable with rangers and other fords by now. My question is, how hard is it to replace the clutch in my 99 4x4 with the M5OD in it? I've heard it can be a nightmare. I don't have access to a lift, or anything, so it would be a weekend, laying on the ground kind of thing...

Is this within my realm of ability? Or should I just buy the clutch ( i work at auto parts store, can get a good price) and have one of the commercial accounts we have throw it in there for cheap? I would just jump for this opportunity, but I want to learn how to do it..

anyone?

 

[pcollins]

well i can tell you you'll need more than one person, preferably a pretty strong buddy. and if you take the transfer case off first life is so much easier. i had a lift, but it was easier taking it out on the ground with floor jacks, then lifting the truck away from it. then i just had two buddies bench press the tranny in while i put bolts in, then same with transfer case. Exhaust was also a pain. Changing a clutch on the ground is perfectly doable, i've done it alot. But if you can get it changed for cheap, just go for that option. cause working on the ground is a PITA.

 

[Nhaz]

If you are doing it in the lane I would make sure the truck is well off the ground. you are going to want some space.

Make sure the transfer case is off first. Tranny jack is a Good idea. the transmission itself also quite heavy. again a tranny jack is recommended.

BUT. If you don't own one. Then for the transmission My redneck method is roll the windows down and a 4x4 beam of wood across the windows so each end sticks out a foot or so outside the truck. then rope down Through the hole for the shifter to hold up the tranny. you can get inventive with some pulleys making it easyier to drop the tranny and pull it back up.

The 2top bolts on the bellhousing can give people alot of trouble. My method is to drop the transmission crossmember after you have the transfer case off. get someone to pull down hard on the tail end of the tranny so you are flexing the engine mounts hard. this should expose the top bolts on the bellhousing. which you then can reach with about 3 feet of extensions.

 

[trail B2]

It takes me about four hours but that's because I've had my tranny out an embarrassing amount of times .Between changing it from an auto and unwilling to buy a good used tranny.

The truck needs to be high enough to roll on your side.I put the tranny up by hand and i'm not that much physically I roll on my side put the tail of the tranny on me and lay back down which puts it on my stomach and lift it up.If you feel like you can't do this don't because if you drop it it wants to bash your face in.The big advantage to this is you can feel the input shaft slide in and can slide it right in.Watch for wires falling down between bell housing and motor.

Another thing I've done is put a jack under the harmonic balancer and tilted the motor to get to the back bolts.You have to be careful not to high or break the motor mounts.The bell housing bolts you get with extensions and socket after you take down the tranny cross member and remove the transfer case.

When you take out the transfer case take out the rear drive line and the front of the front one pull it out when you take out the transfer case.