Pickup might be done for

[01WHTRNGR]

Unbolt the torque converter from the flex plate, don't pull the torque converter with the engine, leave the trans as a sealed unit (other than the cooler lines which you probably disconnected which is fine). You can either turn the crankshaft by the crank bolt or rotate the ring gear with a prybar from the starter hole or something...

Got that done. Just can’t get these top transmission bolts undone. Not finding anything useful online either

 

[scotts90ranger]

A long extension (I'm talking like 3' of extension) and a swivel socket usually does the trick, or dropping the transmission mount or crossmember to get the transmission down lower to get a better angle at the bolts is the other thing I've done.

 

[SenorNoob]

I like the long extension setup myself. I've pulled the top 2 bolts from the slot between the bed and bumper on an S10 before. That was kinda funny to see, I'm sure. Had to have a partner to put the socket on the bolts by feel and hold it on while I turned.

I doubt it's the same on the SOHC, but the old OHV engine you can pull the top 2 bolts from under the hood. It helps there to take the transmission mount loose and RAISE the transmission.

 

[RobbieD]

About 3 feet of extension is what I use. And I prefer a "wobble" end for the socket; when using a universal-joint swivel end I run a wrap of electrical tape around it to make it less "floppy" but still able to swivel.

I have gotten the top two bolts on the OHV from the top with a wrench, but my preferred way to get them is to lower the transmission tail and use the long extensions with a socket and ratchet (or battery impact).

If you're dropping the tail really low, be sure to check the fan-to-shroud clearance, and the distributer cap clearance on the older ones (and that's assuming you've already disconnected the shifter, wiring, and cooling lines on an auto). On a 2.9 you have to watch for the intake hitting the firewall, too; I don't remember it being an issue on the 4.0. Dropping it too low is not nice on the engine mounts, either.

Mine are all 2WD; I use a spare yoke to keep the oil/ATF from running out of the tail shaft housing.

 

[01WHTRNGR]

Finally got all the bellhousing bolts undone. Just been so damn busy with classes and everything else. I’m not sure why some of the bolts came out no problem, and others I had to really work on. Wasn’t really a pattern. Sucky thing is I’m out of town the next 3 weekends so I’m not sure when I can really get a move on for this

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Finally got all the bellhousing bolts undone. Just been so damn busy with classes and everything else. I’m not sure why some of the bolts came out no problem, and others I had to really work on. Wasn’t really a pattern. Sucky thing is I’m out of town the next 3 weekends so I’m not sure when I can really get a move on for this

You scrape up all the time you can and work on it, I’ve been down this road before. Still having my struggles with constantly getting pulled away from whatever project I’m working on and eventually I start hearing “are you ever going to finish that?” Yes, yes I will… be faster if you let me alone to work on it for awhile though…

 

[sgtsandman]

You scrape up all the time you can and work on it, I’ve been down this road before. Still having my struggles with constantly getting pulled away from whatever project I’m working on and eventually I start hearing “are you ever going to finish that?” Yes, yes I will… be faster if you let me alone to work on it for awhile though…

One has to love those kind of situations... "When are you going to get that thing on the road?" "Will you fix my stuff? "What about that stuff?" "How about this stuff over here?" "Why is it taking you so long to get that thing on the road?"