M50D-R1 4.0 4x4 Transmission Replacement - Pointers?

[pxbacher]

The transmission on my 94 XLT (4.0 V6 4x4) just crapped out. Actually, the clutch slave crapped out, but the tranny's been whining for about 6 months after running low on fluid. First gear is also tough to get into unless I shift it into 2nd first.

Put new heads on this thing a year ago, and it's in reasonably good shape, so I'm reluctant to give up on it. So I'm thinking I'll drop the tranny out this weekend but wanted advice from anyone who's done the same job before.

My biggest questions are:

1. How long's this usually take the first time around?
2. Do I have to take the exhaust out? Will lifting the cab help on this truck? (extended cab)
3. Any leads on a reasonably priced good used M50D-R1 in the Philadelphia vicinity?
4. ...Or should I consider a synchro/rebuild kit? (Guess I need to see if the gear teeth are blue...)
5. What else do I need to know besides
- Have lots of socket extensions?
- Reseal the three rubber plugs?

It's bee season and I've got hives to haul. Need my truck back on the road in a week or I'm in deep honey.

Thanks!

-Pete

 

[rboyer]

They're not that hard to replace. You CAN get it out without removing the exhaust or lifting the cab but it's a pain. It's the Y-pipe that is in the way, if it's all rotted then lifting the cab would be your best bet. You can pick up a tranny here in Berwick, PA from me for 300... or I can have it sent down to my friend's garage on the corner of 5th and venango in philly for an extra 50.

 

[pxbacher]

Thanks. So sounds like I need to take out the Y-pipe - yeah, I figured that was the case. Good news is it's in reasonably good shape. Flange bolts were new a year ago, for what that's worth. Bad news is I doubt the other end is coming off easy - might have to take a sawzall to it, but let's see. Other bad news is last time it was off, nobody could get it to seat right on both sides. I finally got it re-seated when I did the heads and torqued it on the manifold before torquing down the manifold. But I'll worry about that when I get there...

-Pete

 

[Nhaz]

Honestly the bolts into the manifold from the y pipe are Most likely going to snap in the manifold. Then you are in for some fun.

Its easier and less time consuming in the long run to remove the bolts on the cab on the passenger side, and jack it 2 inches. Then to try to play with those broken bolts.

 

[pxbacher]

It's Out!

Transmission is OUT! Serious thanks to rboyer and Nhaz for the tip to jack the cab and avoid yanking the Y-pipe - it worked like a charm!

I was really struggling with the trans on a floor jack until the solution just popped into my head while staring at it from underneath.

Instead of a jack, I used a cheater and a strap and hung the trans from the hole where the shifter was. It was SUPER easy! The balance point turned out to be just forward of the shifter, and once hanging, I could pull, rotate, shake, maneuver, and eventually lower it with ease. I have to believe someone else has figured this out, but I figured I'd post here as a tip to anyone else thinking about taking on this job.

Here's a pic from above...

New clutch, slave, throwout and the replacement trans go in (hopefully) this weekend!

-Pete