trans swap

[texas03042]

i have 2 rangers, both with 2.3s and auto trannies. I am about to pull the trannie out of the 96 to put it in the 95.
looking under the hood, i think a snake would have a hard time getting to the upper bolts on the bell housing. are these accessible from underneath?
will the trans slide out with the motor level or will i have to lower the back end of the motor?
any major DON"Ts involved in this job? i am familiar with wrenches (own 2 Fiat 124s which mandate self repairs) but not the rangers.
btw; the fiats are for sale if anyone is masochistically inclined. my arthritis makes it too hard to slide down into them, and harder to get out!

 

[Tedybear]

Normally if I can't reach the upper two bolts?

I'll pull the rear mount and support and let the transmission rock backwards a bit. Make sure nothing gets pinched on the top end of the engine. Then it's several extensions and a U-Joint extension. It's a bit long and tricky, but it works.

S-

 

[Mark_88]

Or just remove the head and get them from the top...

 

[texas03042]

not knowing if you are being sarcastic or not, pulling the head is something i don't want to do

 

[adsm08]

I use a flex head gear wrench on the 2.9. On V-8s I usually let the trans mount down and drop the back of the trans until I can reach them.

Long extensions are alao useful.
Postin' from teh Galaxy

 

[Insanejughead]

I get mine loose by a 13mm box end wrench from the side of the engine compartment.

It's sometimes tricky to get my hand/arm in there where I can get the best leverage.

 

[Mark_88]

not knowing if you are being sarcastic or not, pulling the head is something i don't want to do

Not being sarcastic...just an alternative or last resort...removing and replacing the head is easy enough though...the gasket should be replaced doing it that way so more added expense...

I mentioned that because when I swapped heads in February I was contemplating what I had to do to change out the transmission and noticed that the top bolts were right there within easy reach...not having a huge selection of tools and socket extensions myself I thought it would be an advantage...but if you can get them by doing it another way then just ignore my advice...you wouldn't be the first...lol

 

[scotts90ranger]

I've gotten them from the top and bottom with a simple 13mm wrench, flex head ratcheting makes things easier but I've done it either way. If you have about 4' of exetnsions and a U joint or two you can do it from the back of the tranny. With my turbo and oil/coolant lines for said turbo the upper bellhousing bolts are more interesting than normal and I still got it apart and together with simple tools.