My convertor is in and Im ready to install it. I was looking at the trans from the top and bottom and it looks almost impossible to get the tranny off. How did some of you guys get yours in? How long of a job am I looking at? Any tips would be great.

 

I spent $200 to have it installed if you don't have a lift and a transmission jack I would'nt even attempt the install.

 

I have free access to an auto shop on base. They have lifts, specialty tools, and so called technitions for help. Any tips for getting those hard to reach bolts, or hard learned mistakes I should watch out for?

 

you'll need at least a 3 foot extension and universal socket to get the top bolts out
other than that just take the drive shaft out all the bell housing bolts the starter
and pull back the tranny nice and slow
I had to take my tranny pan off because the drain bolt wouldn't come out ..when the pan comes off it's full of fluid watch out for any harness I unclipped one and have a shift solenoid error
I would say while your draining fluid get yourself a transgo shift kit and a billet shift servo and put those in at the same time
oh and a tranny cooler while your draining all the fluid ..cheap insurance when running a stall

 

when you pull down the trans crossmember support, you can lean the trans down which tilts the engine up and you can reach the top bolts easier.

Watch that darn trans dipstick. Its a biatchhh.

One nice tip: Pull a trans bolt. Take it to the hardware store. Buy some threaded rod to match the bolt threads. You'll want 2 four inch pieces. Pull two bolts and install the rods like temporary studs. When you unbolt all the bellhousing bolts, these two studs will assist you in keeping the trans stable. Then when reinstalling, you can just slip the trans onto the studs to get the trans lined up. Once you have the other bellhousing bolts in place, you can pull the temp studs and replace with the factory bolt.

 

I may be in more trouble than I thought. My entire exhaust is welded one piece, no cats no Y-pipe, no way short of cutting the pipe out of the way to drop the trans.

 

You'll have to find a spot to cut the pipe, and have 2.5" flanges welded in place.

 

best advice PLASMA CUTTER ive already cut under my carpet to gain access havent installed yet because im getting my converter flushed