Solo tranny install?

[shadango]

Yes,that one is ALOT nicer. 

Damn you guys.........do you know how many times I have upgraded purchases based on opinions from this forum?  LOL

You guys were right....that 800 lb one IS nicer.  I went to Harbor Freight and looked at the 450 lb one.....it seems ok, but the adjustment provisions are very crude.  Being a refined kind of guy (LOL) I bought the 800 lb jack......   Much nicer.

Ok, now the next issue is that my 3 ton craftsman floor jack doesnt get the car high enough (when lifting using the k member at least).  By about 4-6 inches from my estimations.

I borrowed some "SUV" jack stands and I think they may be JUST tall enough if I can get the car higher.

I really dont want to buy another floor jack......so I guess the plan would be pile up 3 or 4 slabs of 2x12 to get some extra clearance.  Any other options?

I dont think lifting on the k member is an issue (is it?).....if it is , I cant see where else you would lift.

Was thinking about getting the tranny under the car without the jack first then trying to lift it onto the jack under the car ...but what a PITA that will be.....

[6packCuda]

Trying to get the trans up on the jack after it's under the car is a real *****. Try to get the car high enough that you don't have to do that. I used a piece of rail road tie on my floor jack to get the car high enough. The higher you can get it, the better off you'll be. Just make sure it's stable. I put the jack stands under the lower control arms and under the rear axle. I still had to jack the one side up a couple inches more for a few seconds to roll the trans under. Good luck.

[shadango]

Thanks for the railroad tie idea.....I *think* that would be wide enough for my jack..its pretty wide.....I have a old tie in the back yard.....would have to get the chain saw out and cut it short.......but yeah, assuming its not rotted out (LOL) that would get me plenty of height!

I hear ya on trying to put the tranny on the jack under the car....that would be a last last resort.

Do you lift the front end by the center of the k-frame?

[6packCuda]

yep.

[mojavered]

We have that same jack. It's well worth it!

73challenger_TN, is that Bristol track?  I dig that pic in your sig!

[mojavered]

My wife always tells me that I need to have an adult over when I do things like installing a tranny, aerate the yard.....

[dodge freak 2]

I have done it with just 4 semi high jack stands...the trick is to slid the trans under the car without being on the jack and once its under the trans tunnel then take your foot and pull the jack towards the trans pan while lifting one end on the trans up...got it    Then once on the floor jack get the TC on and be sure you got oil in it and its in all the way.

When I turned 35 years old I decide I was too old for that stuff anymore..when you wake up the next day and feel worst than when you went to sleep you know your better days are behind you, lol.

[6packCuda]

I know exactly what you mean. A few years ago I would have thought nothing about lifting the tranny onto the jack after it's under the car. Now, that's just way to damn much work. Those darn things seem to keep getting heavier over the years. Just raise the car higher.

[Purple73Cuda]

IMO, go with the better trans. jack. I pulled my cheapy Harbor Freight jack out last night. I put an A833 I had in the garage. It doesn't sit very well and the adjustment would need to be tweaked. It is very difficult to tweak with the weight of a trans. on it!
 

[shadango]

Yep, I bought the better jack....looked at the cheaper one at the store and it hit me the same as what you just said....it was on sale for $119, and I had a 20% off coupon....so I figured the extra $25 it ended up costing would be worth it in saved cuss words...LOL

[Purple73Cuda]

Shadango,
Let us know how it works. I might buy one in the near future.

[shadango]

Will do.

I have to get the car high enough first.  LOL

[73challenger_TN]

73challenger_TN, is that Bristol track?  I dig that pic in your sig!

Haha, it is Bristol. Sorry it took so long to reply I haven't checked this thread :-). Thanks! The track was covered in water that day was driving through for the awards ceremony for a show.

[willard]

I dont want to hijack this thread but is it hard to swap the torque converter solo? Do I have to completely remove the tranny?

[tactransman]

I dont want to hijack this thread but is it hard to swap the torque converter solo? Do I have to completely remove the tranny?

It is not hard if you have a descent jack and jack stands.

Yes,you have to completely remove the transmission.