Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Hints on replacing transmission and clutch?

[SteveMiller]

Ok so my Standard Transmission NV4500 was delivered to me in person Thursday and I picked up my South Bend 13 OFE clutch at UPS this evening and I plan on ripping into the truck in the morning. Oo.



This is to replace my on the verge of dying transmission and figured while I'm doing it I might as well do the clutch since it was going to be needed soon.



I'm just looking for advise, tricks, and/or help hints anyone may have. I've done clutches before so I'm not all that worried about it but I thought I'd ask as I haven't done anything on these trucks.



I got a transmission jack to assist with the heavy trans... I usually just used a floor jack and had extra hands help stabalizing but this one is heavy enough I didn't want to hurt me or others.



Thanks

Steve

 

[MoparAK]

the crossmember is the real pain you can get it out with a hammer but i have found the easiest way to put the cross member back in is to use a portapower and spread the frame slightly with it. then the crossmember should just about fall into place. just put your nuts and bolts back in loosely then remove the portapower and your good to go

 

[angelbay]

me too

I am about to tackle the same job. I have read some post somewhere about whether to take the transfer case with the transmission or not. Any more advice on this? Thanks

 

[pwknapp]

If you have a large enough transmission jack you can remove the transmission, transfer case and front drive line in one piece. I know, took it out five times in eight months. (It's a long story )

 

[Forrest Nearing]

transmission jack is the key tool on this job!



other than being big and heavy everything is pretty straight forward. on my 2wd, I removed/installed mine w/ the shifter base still in the transmission. just pryed the floor back to make room and pryed it back down when I was done! LOL! I didn't know how to get the stub out so I made do



also, I didn't have any problem w/ my crossmember... just tapped it up a little and it slid right out



Forrest

 

[SGastelu]

4500 fluid 4.99 cross member from back

hi

Replaced my 4500 last month. Got the special fluid from autozone 4. 99 qt vs much more from other places.



Cross member took forever. IT went in from the back finally.



good luck.

 

[SteveMiller]

Well I got everything out but had the wrong parts so its not back together yet. But I took the T-case and transmission out seperate to make it easier. If anything does fall or anything 1 is better to catch than 2. Also I had my truck on the ground so I hand to take them off the jack below the truck and wiggle them out from under the truck and getting it off the jack seems like it would have been alot harder with them together.



I do have a transmission jack adapter for my normal floor jack. Basically just a big flat plate with some adustable side pieces to support the transmission.



anyway I used a bottle jack and a 2x4 to spread the frame just a little and then pulled the cross member out the back once it was loose. Seemed to work well.



Steve

 

[SMorneau]

The cross member has been out of my truck several times and not once did anyone have to spread the frame. The cross member is not stuck it is slightly tapered by design and should come out by tapping it up and towards the rear with a big mallet.

 

[SteveMiller]

I agree. The cross member wasn't as hard as I first thought. Putting it back in was easy coming from the back and using a dead blow to tap it into place. No spreading required. Also everything is back in and seems to be working very well. So far so good.



Thanks

 

[K5IP]

pwknapp,

I'am about to tackle this myself. your comment about 5 times in the last few months (sad story) has me wondering.

Do you care to clarify, perhaps to help me from the same problems?

Rog

 

[pwknapp]

I towed heavy in 5th alot. Lost 5th under warranty and on my own 11 times. Joining this web site saved me from alcoholism and drug addiction.

When you get paid by the mile, a downed truck is a bit stressful.



The fateful 8 months:



Lost 5th on a road trip. Repaired at a very helpful dealership in Salem, VA

Lost 5th at home. Repaired myself with "updated nut"

Lost stock clutch #3. Repaired myself with Centerforce.

Lost 5th again. Took out myself and had transmission rebuilt. (some bearings shot)

3 weeks later transmission locked up on road trip. Melted 4th and main shaft. (Fluid leaked out between transmission and transfer case, my fault. Listen to grown man crying. )

Joined TDR

Installed Standard Trans 5sp, fully splined shaft with "the nut", spiked nut an additional 6 times.

Pos Centerforce totally disintegrated at 50k. Repaired myself with SBC 13" con OFE.

6 weeks later transfer case tries to shift into 4wd by itself whenever you let off the fuel. (I'm now an incoherent blubbering 265# baby). Take it out, Have it rebuilt and oh yeah, do the rear main seal that has seemed to start leaking.



I'm broke, have some new twitches but on the road again. That ended 90k ago and the transmission and clutch have held up great. Hats off to SBC and Standard Trans. I just wish the 6spd conversions had been out at the time and I would have upgraded. Many thanks to all at TDR and their awesome advice. And thanks to Jeff Wingate in Baton Rouge who tirelessly helped me work on my rig any hour of the day or night in his shop.



Oh yeah, a year ago March I blew the motor while moving the family up to Wyoming. Always check the intercooler hoses before pulling Raton Pass at 34. 8k gross.