Pull engine and trans as one piece?

[Otis413]

I just bought a 03 XLT, 250k with a blown engine, solid frame and decent cab, my present ride is a good running 04 Edge with 105K and a rusted out patched up frame. They're equipped purdy much the same. Yep, the classic build one out of two job..
I'm stripping the 03 now, and was wondering if it's possible to pull the engine and trans (minus T case of course) together. I'v not pulled the engine on a Ranger before, those bell housing bolts look awful hard to get to, so, anybody tried it this way??
Thanks for any input!!

 

[racsan]

Ive never pulled both, but Ive took the trans out of my 93 twice, to more easily get to the top bolts (if you pull trans seperate) have a jack under transmission, remove crossmember after t-case is pulled and lower the jack, not only can you get to the upper bell housing bolts better, you can then pull apart the electric plugs going to the oxygen sensors a little easier. Granted my truck was a ohv and yours is a ohc but Im fairly sure its similar. Only motor ive pulled was a ‘88 2.3 , I left the trans in the chassis. (engine overhaul & clutch replacement)

 

[adsm08]

I like to get the top bolts with a flex head ratcheting wrench, from the top.

Rascan's method works well too with one caveat. When the trans is hanging like that those top two bolts CANNOT be the last two. In fact they almost need to be the first two, because each bolt removed makes the top ones tighter.

 

[franklin2]

Pulling them both together can be difficult. You pretty much need one of those adjustable lifting devices that moves the center of gravity as you are lifting. The whole assembly has to come up and forward, and as the engine gets close to the A/C coil (the radiator has to be out) the very front of the engine must be lifted radically up while the trans is still under the firewall. It's touch and go, and tranny fluid pours out all over the place.

As the others said, the bellhousing bolts are not that hard to get to. You can reach up from underneath and get most of them.

 

[Otis413]

Thanks for the tips guys, I think I'll do it like racsan said, trans and everything is coming out anyway, now if I can get those exhaust bolts loose without breaking any I'll be happy!!!

 

[G8orFord]

Lift the cabs if you want to pull both at the same time. Otherwise, drop the trans first.

 

[racsan]

I like to get the top bolts with a flex head ratcheting wrench, from the top.

Rascan's method works well too with one caveat. When the trans is hanging like that those top two bolts CANNOT be the last two. In fact they almost need to be the first two, because each bolt removed makes the top ones tighter.

yes, I do start with those top 2 bolts. 3/8 drive long handle flex-head ratchet. Yes the exhaust bolts can be the worst of the job. On re-assembly I get a couple of metric bolts , same size as bell housing bolts, cut the hex head off and with a hacksaw make a screwdriver slot- finger tight into engine block and you have guide pins.

 

[adsm08]

yes, I do start with those top 2 bolts. 3/8 drive long handle flex-head ratchet. Yes the exhaust bolts can be the worst of the job. On re-assembly I get a couple of metric bolts , same size as bell housing bolts, cut the hex head off and with a hacksaw make a screwdriver slot- finger tight into engine block and you have guide pins.

I have a pair of long bolts, longer even than the dowel bolts. I use them to draw it up. I don't remember what they came from, but they are off a Ranger.

 

[North Idaho 5.oh]

Pulling them both together is not bad at all... thats the only way I’ll pull my drive trains from my donors.
Just be sure to pull the “Y” pipe and oil filter and it’s really not that bad.

 

[Otis413]

Well, after rounding off three of the bell housing bolts on the '97 donor Exploder, figured we'd give pulling them together a go... Not that bad, a PITA for sure but doable, just need to add some more weight to the front of our 'lil tractor...
Good thing is after we got it out we found a Reman tag on the motor ('99 date on the block and heads) looks reasonably clean inside.