How do you go about removing a 4 wheel drive transmission?

Answer 1

Be warned that 4WD trannys/t-cases are very heavy and may require two people to get it out. Set the vehicle on jack stands or better yet a lift. Simply chock the wheels if you think the vehicle is tall enough. Remove all the shifters, disconnect the driveshafts, and pull any wires that are going to the transmission. Remove the starter, the clutch cable/shift linkage, and unbolt the trans from the tranny crossmember. You may need to remove the exhaust, and it definitely gives you more play room. If it's an automatic, drain the fluid from it and save it to put back in later, otherwise you'll have a big red mess. You don't have to do this with a manual, but it makes the tranny lighter and easier to work with. Support the back of the engine with a jack or stand, then support the tranny with a jack. Remove the tranny crossmember from the frame. Unbolt the tranny from the engine (normally 6 bolts), then finally pull the tranny out from the engine. You may have to work at it; move it side to side and up/down with the jack. If it doesn't move at all, make sure you got all the bolts (bottom, side, and top, just under valve cover). If it moves a little, it's hung up on the mounting dogs, use a pry bar and persuade it to move. Back it more or less straight out or else you could warp the clutch disk or torque converter. The dust shield may fall off, no biggie. Ease it down with the jack and you're done. Reverse the process to install. Check condition of tranny seals, rubber mounts, drive shafts, clutch/flywheel/clutch fork/thrust bearing/spring diaphragm if manual and torque converter/flexplate if auto. Good Luck.