Install engine +trans together or separate?

[Ranger305]

'92 std cab, 3.0 with manual tran

I'm having to replace my 3.0 and after pulling it, decided to go ahead and drop the transmission and do a rebuild after 255k miles. I'm almost ready to drop them back in. So far, I've kept the AC together and can set the compressor on the radiator support. I was able to pull the engine by itself this way, but not 100% sure I can put the engine and trans back in together. Anyone tried this before? Would rather put them back in as a unit.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I pulled a 2.8 with a A4LD and put in a 302 with a C5. 302 went in easier than the 2.8 came out (trans is longer)

That is with shorter 4wd transmissions and a 3" bodylift though, your results may vary.

 

[adsm08]

The higher you get the truck off the ground the easier this method becomes.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The higher you get the truck off the ground the easier this method becomes.

I let the air out of my front tires too... you get into the problem of running out of hoist with height.

It is tricky.

 

[adsm08]

I let the air out of my front tires too... you get into the problem of running out of hoist with height.

It is tricky.

It is admittedly something of a balancing act. If you are too high you run out of hoist, if you are too low you can't get the trans in far enough to make the angle.

The only time I tried it that way was on my mom's Mustang, because there is no room at all to access the bell bolts. I had to have the car on ramps to make it happen.

On the other hand, in my current garage with the RBVs, I have to have the vehicle in just the right spot or I run out of head space and don't clear the core support.

 

[Ranger305]

Height with the hoist could be an issue. When I pulled the engine by itself, the hoist didn't have a lot of lift left over. Sounds like I may be putting them back in separately. Was hoping not to have to fight the bell bolts, but it is what it is. I may get a wild hair to give it a shot though.

 

[adsm08]

I have done this job many times. Overall, and especially in areas where space is an issue, my favorite way to do this is put the engine in and then the trans.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

 

[Mark_88]

I did mine with the cab off...lol...makes the transmission attached much easier...

Not sure about other engine/transmissions but when I pulled mine out the first time I didn't know that all the fluid would run out the tail of the transmission...so I had a nice mess to clean up...but I learned stuffing and sealing the end (or draining it beforehand) would have save me that effort.