How to drop trans/T-case

[SquareRoot]

First time with a 4wd r&r. Got the fluids drained and drive shafts removed. Got a floor jack and a motorcycle lift. Looking under my K20 that I'm about to remove th400/208 from, I'm wondering the best way to do this.
1- Remove them together as one unit...or
2- Unbolt the T-case and remove and then remove the trans separately?

I appreciate the help.

 

[yevgenievich]

Separately is easier. Otherwise it is unstable with weight distribution not centered.

 

[bucket]

I agree, if doing it by yourself then it's easier to pull the t-case first.

 

[nvrenuf]

Don't forget to disconnect the tcase shifter and check the passenger side of the tcase for a support rod held on by 2 large bolts.

Also, you'll likely have a cup or 2 of trans fluid spill when you separate the trans from the tcase.

 

[SquareRoot]

Thanks guys. Separate it is. Hopefully I'll still have all my fingers afterwards...lol

 

[shiftpro]

I just removing bolts until everything falls apart.
Just kidding, be careful under there..

 

[Blue Ox]

X5 (or whatever we are up) to on separate.

 

[rpcraft]

The only way I would do it with them together is if you have a hydraulic transmission jack that straps to the jack, otherwise its murder trying to pull off that balancing act. I've been needing to pull mine out to clean and paint before I start putting all the fluids and stuff in and I have been putting it off for that very specific reason, lol.

 

[SquareRoot]

Got the T-case out this evening. It wasn't too bad; took about 45 minutes. I have a feeling putting it back in is gonna take 3-4 times as long thanks to gravity. Tommorow I'll pull the trans. Seems no matter what, your gonna end up with trans fluid all over the damn place. I could tell by the look on my wifes face she wasn't impressed with the carnage left on the driveway.

 

[Snoots]

I could tell by the look on my wifes face she wasn't impressed with the carnage left on the driveway.

Tell her that if she had helped, it wouldn't be so bad.
(Then move into the doghouse).

 

[rpcraft]

When I put my transfer case in last time around I put it on the crossmember and then used some super long bolts on one side and lifted it up until I could get the nuts on the bolt. After that I used the standard bolts and one of those HF trans jacks to put it up inthe air and the length of the long bolts and being free on the trans jack allowed me to slide/swivel it on the trans output shaft and then line up the bolts. After that I zipped up the normal bolts on one side and moved the jack under the cross member in order to take the really long bolts out and replace them with the normal bolts (and I elected not to use the stock spacers).

I am thinking I am going to make a cradle that acts as a skid plate the next time around so once I take it out I am just going to be able to lift the cradle into place by just putting a jack under it and lifting it into place.

 

[shiftpro]

When I put my transfer case in last time around I put it on the crossmember and then used some super long bolts on one side and lifted it up until I could get the nuts on the bolt. After that I used the standard bolts and one of those HF trans jacks to put it up inthe air and the length of the long bolts and being free on the trans jack allowed me to slide/swivel it on the trans output shaft and then line up the bolts. After that I zipped up the normal bolts on one side and moved the jack under the cross member in order to take the really long bolts out and replace them with the normal bolts (and I elected not to use the stock spacers).

I am thinking I am going to make a cradle that acts as a skid plate the next time around so once I take it out I am just going to be able to lift the cradle into place by just putting a jack under it and lifting it into place.

If you have true dualls you can use a ratchet step over the pipes and under the transmission, and again under the T case. Ratchet straps work great for lifting... not so much for lowering

 

[rpcraft]

yeah right now I have no exhaust on it. I thought about doing it on ratchet straps at the time but i was in such a small garage I had no way to think straight. Now that I have my house and the expanse of my driveway I'll probably be more liberal with my solutions. I used to be able to bench press the stuff in but the older I get the less I feel like tempting fate and shitting my pants (not to mention two torn rotator cuffs).

 

[SquareRoot]

The cradle is a good idea in theory. I'm thinking I could Fab up something fairly simple with some tubing that would allow me to lift the trans and T-case together. The motorcycle lift I have has a pretty large flat base on it and is very stable. I'm thinking it would be worth the time to make something rather than fight getting things lined up underneath the truck fighting rtv and new gaskets. Like rpcraft, I'd rather avoid the shitting my pants scenario as well. Shitting my pants is rare, but rare in this case does not mean desireable.

 

[SquareRoot]

Got that some bitch out! Actually it wasn't too difficult especially with that motorcycle lift. It's off to the tranny shop tomorrow for a performance rebuild. That lift doesn't work worth a **** for my motorcycle but it worked damn good for

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the trans. I'm gonna bolt everything together and see if there's a balance issue before installation. The wide base and lifting surface may be stable enough that it stays put long enough to get it up and get the bellhousing and x- member in place.