Transmission R&R in 4wd Tips needed.

Well I am going to send my Level 5 in and have it resfreshed. I can not afford to upgrade to 4l80 considering I just bought my wife a 5k bedrrom suite. :(.
The last time I did it I thought it was going to kill me. I do have access to a lift. I am also going to buy this.
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Is there an easier way. Remove trans and transfer case all at once? The RCSB has the frikkin torsion bar bracket in the way of making this easy. Please any tips before this undertaking?
I am also thinking of buying 2 of these.
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Remove the transfer case by itself, it's a lot easier. Be sure to pick up the correct gasket before you do, you'll need it.

We R&R a lot of transmissions, so I had to get rid of my first transmission jack, it wasn't tall enough. It's very handy, but when you have to work under a vehicle hump back style, it's a pita.
But, for the occasional user, that stand will do! The larger one is closer to $500 and goes up to about 85+inches.
The stand you're getting is very useful, we use ours all the time!

Other than that, just go for it.

+1 on Allen's comments. Pull the TC first. I know it sounds like a waste but drain the TC and refill it later with new stuff good excuse to keep the driveway, etc. clean and service the TC at the same time. The TB crossmember won't have to come out if you pull the TC by itself. The exhaust most times will.

Don't forget to blow out the trans lines too if the fluid is sparkly and dark.

Those stands are your great when you're doing transmissions! They make life a lot easier.

Here's how I take them out step by step (not going into real big detail) in the 4x4's, if everything goes good I can have them out in about 45 minutes.

-Disconnect negative battery cable
-Pull the driveshafts
-Take off the trans mount nuts
-Lift the back of the trans off of the crossmember with the axle stand right behind the pan
-Remove the crossmember
-Remove the crossover pipe
-Raise the transmission up so the tailshaft of the transfer case is about 2 inches above the torsion bar crossrail
-Unbolt the transfer case from the extension housing
-Pull the transfer case out enough so that the studs clear the back of the extension housing, tilt the front of it down so you can lift it out the rest of the way. Be prepared for a little bit of a mess of tranny fluid (always nice with an extra set of hands)
-Remove starter, I used to just push it back, but for the extra minute it takes to get the damn thing out of the road completely saves fighting with it while you try and unbolt the torque converter. The starter can be a pain in the ass to get out of place, I find it's easiest to jack the back of the tranny up until it nearly touches the floorpan so you have enough clearance to get the starter out.
-Unbolt the torque converter
-Swap the stand out for the tranny jack and let the tranny down as far as it will go to get at the top bolts (and nuts that hold the fuel lines and vent hoses in place)
-Unbolt the bell housing and you're out!

Another really handy tool I have is my really long 1/2" drive extension with the 3/8" at the end from Matco. The 3/8" drive universal flex sockets are smaller and easier to use when you're trying to get the top bell housing bolts off and you can have the 1/2" impact on the other end. Best $60 I ever spent.

Hope this helps.

WOW Thanks for all the great tips. That was not the way we did it last time. I dont dread it as bad now. I'll be ordering the stand and the jack soon. Any more tips are greatly appreciated.

When pushing the trans lines in the transmission fittings, put the clips on first, then push in the trans lines. Makes it a lot easier!
Sounds like common sense, but you never know.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by farmtruc

When pushing the trans lines in the transmission fittings, put the clips on first, then push in the trans lines. Makes it a lot easier!
Sounds like common sense, but you never know.

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Yep! I always put the clips back in the fittings as soon as I take the lines out so I don't lose them too!

Another simple thing that saves some aggrivation is taking the dipstick out of the tube before you put the truck in the air to pull the trans. It's a pain in the ass to get the tube in and out of the tranny with the dipstick in the tube.

Good call. I was going to add pulling the stick because it makes removing the tube a lot easier.

Anyone ever used a lokar tranny dipstick? Are they any good.
Also anyone know if the LS2 starter is the same as the 99 5.3 starter?

One of the first steps I do it remove the tranny lines That way you can get the eclips before your hands get all greasy and slippery. Those things can be tricky to grab because they are so small. It shouldnt take about an hour to hour and a half if all goes well.