Well, all in all today was a success...had a few snags that ate up some time, but got passed them and chugged on. One snag was one of the T-40 torx fasteners that secure the shift cable, it tore up 2 torx bits that I had then finally stripped out. I tried to grab it with pliers but that didn't work, tried hitting it with an air chisel but no dice. I was finally able to pry the bracket over so I could drop the pan to drain the fluid, then used my air chisel to work it out when I got the trans on the ground. So far the trans is in and bolted to the engine, torque converter bolts tight, swapped out the cooler return line from the radiator to the trans with the GM aux cooler line, and most of the other stuff hooked up. I removed the little clip that helps to secure the shift cable to the shift cable bracket and handed it to my friend and told him to "put it somewhere where it won't get lost", which I guess was the kiss of death because we lost it...no biggie, the shift cable will still stay in without it and I'll just order a new one on Monday. Spent way too much time looking for it though...one of the snags that burned up time.

For tomorrow:

Split transfer case and replace clip
install transfer case
driveshafts
exhaust
starter
u-joints and nickel plated slip yoke
trucool 40k
pcm
gut cats
maybe swap my JGP 20's back on if I have time...it's supposed to rain tomorrow...hope not. At least I have some things that I can do in the garage such as the transfer case pump clip and u-joints...

More pics for ya's

Oh yea, my neighbors must love me...it's still in the air and will be sleeping that way. If anyone gives me **** I'll just tell them "hey, it's a lifted truck"


Neutral safety switch connector would not come out, as I've heard it wouldn't, so I left it plugged in and just unbolted it. The rear bolt is blocked by the connector, but I was able to wrench it out...


I hate torx fasteners, got one out and had to pry the bracket over as I mentioned above...glad that my cool neighbor left his garage open for me so I could use his power to fire up my compressor and air chisel it out

Right tools for the job


The old junk


transfer case


This part went smoothly...all of the torque converter bolts came out in one piece


The old PermaCool 17k tube and fin cooler...this will be up for sale shortly


More pics of the goods

 

Keep up the good fight Billy and get some rest so you can get knocked out tomorrow!

Also, good call on replacing the pump clip in the transfer-case. A lot of people don’t realize that most of the cases are made out of magnesium now-a-days and as such getting welded up is unlikely.

 

Thanks Jarrod...my mom just informed me that it's supposed to be stormy tomorrow, looks like I might get wet because I'm getting back to it in the morning no matter what

 

Yeah, I've never been able to unplug either connector as well.

I think it was the second time I had to remove those bolts that I replaced them with normal hex cap bolts. Was GM smoking crack that day?

Good luck in the weather tomorrow. Know anybody with a tent cover?

 

Looking at these pics makes me glad I'm 2wd, considering I've pulled my trans out 4 or 5 times lol. You made some really good progress when youre done it'll be a night and day difference, congrats.

 

The only blood that was shed during my entire engine/trans swap was plugging the neutral safety switch connectors back in. And I replaced those nasty *** torx bolts with a couple of the stock exhaust manifold bolts I had laying around, I just hit them with the cutoff wheel first and took off about 1/4".

And Billy, I don't have anything planned for Sunday, so give me a call if you want a hand.

 

Yea, I forgot to mention that I replaced the torx fasteners with 2 of the rear end cover bolts that got removed and replaced when I installed my TA rear diff girdle. I actually have a tent, but I think that would be pushing it in my apartment complex

Thanks Nick...hope I don't have to pull my trans out that many times! Ugh!

Thanks Dan...my buddy's supposed to come by about noon time to help me hump the transfer case back in, and I'll be doing the other stuff in the garage until then. If it does rain, hopefully it'll stop before noon time, or my bud may back out.

 

Glad to see the progress. Man, I dont miss pulling those 4wd transmissions. HOW the HELL did you get those torque converter bolts out without ******* something up? I ended up stripping them all out, breaking a brand new allen socket, then tried welding a nut to them only to break the crappy welds off. Guess the heat was enough and I was able to finally channel lock them out without killing my knuckles.
Usually the first time the trans drops, I go ahead and break that NSS. They still work, just a little broke GM glues the plugs in there for some stupid reason. I hear you can heat them up with a hair dryer, but didnt think of that during my converter swap.

Now, Quit screwing off, go get that thing running

 

Nice progress Billy, I was wondering how it was going all day yesterday. I got called into work yesterday after Gavin's baseball game, which killed my opportunity to stop by.

I say go for the tent today, and if anyone gripes, just tell them if they want it done today, then this is what it will take, so **** off.

 

It's the only way. If u overbuild, when time comes, it won't have be done. Or at least done again, that's the plan right?

jiar577, Trifecta Quote thing wasn't a slam to you, just some give me the business cause I multi-quote. Yours was 1 of those that got included in the 3-pack.