I tried several searches, I've a built 65E and new verter sitting next to my 4x4 chevy Avalanche and I'm looking for a write up, instructions on how to do the swap. Anyone have one or know where I might find one? Or have any advice from your experience? Any tricks? Anything I should know before I dig in?

Thanks,

Danv

 

Take your time, plan for a day's work, get a good trans jack, and a buddy to help ya out. Watch the cooler lines b/c they CAN get punctured (if not paying attention).

Oh yea... Southern folks drink a case of beer while doing it. ...but not FarmerBeau's fishy beer.

 

Get the oil dipstick, starter and exhaust out of the way. You'll need some long extensions to get those upper bolts. Lower the trans a little to get at them more easily(remove the T-case first). Make sure you fill the converter prior to installing it and make sure it is fully seated- 3 clicks. Get the trans dipstick tube back in place prior to bolting up the trans, otherwise you will have to bend the bracket to manouever it into place, then straighten out the bracket again. It might be difficult to visualize the clips on the tranny lines if they are dirty- take a look at the ones on the rad end to see what you are dealing with.

 

1. remove transfer case and drive shaft.
2. remove starter, dipstick, all electrical connectors, and fluid lines
3. remove cross member then the y- pipe
4. remove converter bolts, then bell housing bolts
5. pull the tranny back until it separates from the engine
6. do all of this backwards for installation.

fill the converter prior to installation

 

Thanks for the input I hope to get this done soon.

Dan

 

Just some tips that helped me with my several R&R's:

Get a ratchet wrench for the converter bolts, my meat-hooks barely fit in there as is. This was worth the $17. A little LocTite on the bolts will not hurt either.

I did not totally remove my starter, just unbolted it and tucked it to the side.

I did not remove my oil dipstick (engine) either, just used it to prop the starter out of the way.

Get some paper bowls to store your nuts and bolts and use a sharpie to label them. A bolt from the cross memebr can fit in the T-case to tranny if you are not careful and strip when you go to torque it down.

Don't try to take the plugs off the gear selector on the side of the trans, just unbolt the entire plate, wire plugs and all. You run the high risk of damaging the plugs if you try to take them apart with out heat.

Don't forget to remove the trans dip stick and tube prior to removal of the tranny and be sure to install the dipstick and tube using zipties prior to tranny install or else you will be cursing yourself out as mentioned above.

I used like 30 inches of extentions and got all of the housing bolts off from going at them from the rear of the transmission. The RADIX makes it difficult to get the top housing bolt from the engine compartment. Don't forget to snug down the trans dip stick tube on one of the bolts.

Careful with the tranny lines, DON"T FORGET TO REMOVE THEM when removing the trans. As mentioned above, the clips ar not rocket science but it will save alot of time if you experiment with the ones up at the cooler first.

I did the removal without help and no tranny jack. I don't care if you want to prove you have bigger manhood than I, its just plain dangerous, find a friend for assistance. I got 5 stitches in the process and I consider myself lucky it wasn't worse

GOOD LUCK!!!

 

Should I drain the trans before I remove it? I'm replacing a flex plate only. It is a 4x4 2500HD all 100% OEM.