Easy Peasy Trans Lift...

[pxbacher]

OK, so this doesn't make the WHOLE install easier, but it does make the part where you lift and maneuver it into place WAY easier, so here some pix...

I actually figured this trick out when dropping the trans, then again when putting in the new one. Again, I'm sure someone else probably figured this out before me, but posting anyway in case others aren't aware...

I knew there had to be a better way while trying to pull my trans and at the same time balance it on top of a floor jack. While staring up at it from below, I got this brainstorm... HANG the trans from a strap, maneuver it out (SUPER easy, because you can twist, turn, pull, and wiggle it effortlessly, without worrying about dropping it or having it fall off a jack), then lower it from above.

I put a black pipe cheater across the shifter hole, then ran a strap from it down and around the trans. Doing it this way made the removal a piece of cake! The install was still tricky, but I did it without a jack and by myself. The hard part is raising it up while keeping the ratchet accessible, but once you have it raised, it's cake to get it into place (over the Y-pipe, in my case).

Pipe and Strap from above

Hanging Trans

Ratchet with Room

Hope this description and the pics help somebody.

-Pete

 

[-Nathan-]

thats pretty slick, thanks for that.

 

[Ranger Kip]

I'd do it outside and just open the windows, wrap a ratchet geared plate to a chain and lift it up from both sides of the window, but it would require a lot of patients, so I think I might as well just use a jack for mine >.>

Because as an engineer, its my job to make things more complex and confusing to help others think its worth a damn.

 

[sfwjesse]

kudos to you for getting that transmission in without removing the y-pipe.......I convinced myself that was impossible after the 10th try.

 

[pxbacher]

I jacked the cab up about 4" off the frame rail on the passenger side after suggestions from some folks here. Saved me a buttload of trouble dealing with the Y-pipe and cheese-rusted cat connection.

 

[jhammel85]

Awesome Idea! It doesnt hurt the Shifter hole? I would worry about it messing that up.

 

[pxbacher]

No problems with the shifter hole at all. There were two things I should have mentioned in my original write-up though...

1. I used a different strap during the lowering that had a non-ratcheting connector that made it easier to lower slowly.
2. As you ratchet up the trans, you have to rotate it in the strap. This is a pain as the trans gets up close to the "floor." It would probably have been way easier if I'd put a longer pipe across the DOORS (through the windows) so the ratchet was ABOVE the shift hole. If you have such a piece of pipe, try this and let me know how it works!

-Pete

 

[pcollins]

I really wish i had thought of this when i was fighting with my truck. lol. Me and a buddy used floor jacks to weasel it past the cross member, then lifted the truck into the air with our shop lift away from the tranny. Your method probably would have been much easier. Seeing as we bench pressed the tranny and t case back in.

 

[sfwjesse]

I jacked the cab up about 4" off the frame rail on the passenger side after suggestions from some folks here. Saved me a buttload of trouble dealing with the Y-pipe and cheese-rusted cat connection.

Yea that y-pipe removal is half the job

 

[kenwheeler]

Necessity is the mother of invention.

 

[Tony Raine]

i like that strap idea, i'll have to remember that

this is how i did it

 

[jackoholic]

Thank god I saw this, gonna get your setup tomorrow to help lift my trans back into place. I been having a stone cold bitch of a time getting it back into place.

This is was after the trans did a slow roll off the tranny jack that took a year off my life...

cue slow motion 'nnnnnnoooooooooooooooooooooo' then much cursing.

edit: Pete. do you have a picture or can you describe the strap mechanism you used when you lowered it? You said it was non-ratcheting?

 

[pxbacher]

The strap I used to lower the trans was a strap from a sailboard roof rack - I think from my old Thule rack. It's a pinch-style clamp - you push the strap through a spring-loaded pincher, and the tension on the strap pinches the pincher tighter so the strap locks in place. A quick, light press on the other end of the pincher releases the pincher momentarily and lets the trans down a few inches. Let me know if you really need a pic and I'll send one tomorrow night.

And next time I'll use a 2x4 or 4x4 across the doors (through the open windows). Raising the hang point gives you much more room to put the ratchet (and the hooks) just where you want them...

Good luck, and stay out from under that trans! (and if it's a 4x4, enjoy the transfer case

-Pete

 

[pxbacher]

I like the engine hoist idea - bet that worked nice too!

 

[Tony Raine]

I like the engine hoist idea - bet that worked nice too!

yes it did i took the shifter off and bolted the chains to the trans where the top plate would go.

i maneuvered it by hand once i lifted it. didn't have to take off the y-pipe.

i actually tried 3 transmissions in one evening with this method (tk5, tk4, and fm 14something) before settling on the fm.

once i had it in, i just bolted the crossmember back on and lowered the hoist.


oh yeah, don't hit the rear view mirror.