Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) I'm changing out auto transmission soon. Any advice?

[HerbW]

I'm changing out my 47RE auto transmission soon on my 1998 Dodge 4x4 truck. The new one has been in my barn for six months waiting for me to get around to it.

I've bought a transmission jack big enough to handle the job.



Any advice on the best way to do it? I'll be on the floor as I don't have a truck lift, just a concrete floored shop, some great jacks and stands.



I plan on pulling the drive lines and transfer case as a start. Support the rear of engine. Then support transmission with jack, undo the torque converter, then the bellhousing last. I'll probably have to jack up my truck on one side to clear the frame and running boards once it's out.



I want to remove the check valve and add new lines too.



Any better way or advice on pitfalls are greatly appreciated?

Thanks, Herb

 

[PRohr]

I am doing mine tonight and tomorrow on my '98... . I'll let you know of any tips or things to watch out for along the way.

 

[fox]

The engine will sit balanced. No need to support it!

Clean the cooler lines. Find and remove the check ball in the cooler line. It is only to reduce converter drain back, but it can stick and cause a failure.

A frame spreader is helpful but you can get by without it.

 

[kenny61]

The engine will sit balanced. No need to support it!

Clean the cooler lines. Find and remove the check ball in the cooler line. It is only to reduce converter drain back, but it can stick and cause a failure.

A frame spreader is helpful but you can get by without it.

If your talking spreader for the crossmember. On my manual I learned if you go up with it first then to the front(maybe back but i think it was to the front) it will come out alot easier than just trying to pull it straight down

 

[HerbW]

I guess I need to read my manual some more. After great replies to my thread, I have a few more questions.

1. Tell me more about the frame spreader and the reason for doing it please.

2. To remove the check ball. Do I just remove the component that contains it or do I remove the ball out of the housing and reuse empty housing?

3. Fox with the 98. Tell me how it went and how long it took. Are you on the floor also?



Believe it or not I have a lot of mechanical experience, I've did this with smaller rigs, rebuilt engines,manual transmissions and valve jobs.

I just want to be right and get er done on my favorite rig the best safest way.

It's been a while on this big of project. I started to just trade them off when major work was coming and start anew. It's an easy way to fix problems and get a new rig! I'm retired and have lost that way out!



Thanks for all your help. Herb

 

[fox]

The frame is narrower at the bottom, the cross member is too, so you need to go up with it. But, I had a lot of trouble getting it back in place because it wouldn't drop down enough. i finally used a block od 4X4 and a bottle jack. But most bottle jacks won't pump on thier side!!

I dropped mine on friday night, completetly went through it and put it back on suday. Been in place for5 years now and still shifts like it did after the fix!!! Better than new.

All done on the floor. transfer case came out alone of course. I only had a floor jack and did it alone.

The check ball is on mine in the rear fitting on the coolant to oil cooler (If I remember correctly. ), and yes you can drill it out, reuse the fitting. Mine is an 02, your might be located at the radiator. I'm not sure.

 

[HerbW]

OOPS! It's PRohr that's doing his 98 this weekend!

Fox, I realize that it was PRohr that has the 98 that is getting the transmission work over this weekend.

Fox has me some great info too. I hope I can do it solo without too much hassle. I did buy a transmission jack with tiltable deck. I'll have to just go for it.

My check valve is behind my oil cooler also. I did check that out. Is it true that if I buy new oil cooler lines for my transmission, they will be the upgraded type? I'd like to get rid of the plastic ears behind the radiator all in the same job. Can the quick connectors be cut off and hose clamped on if necessary?

Thanks again. Herb

 

[HerbW]

Fox. Did you get the rebuild stuff from DTT that's in your truck transmission now? Sounds like good stuff if it's still going great. I want to save my transmission and rebuild it for future. It just has 100K on it now, works pretty good without leaks. I think my torque converter is my biggest downfall.

 

[fox]

Yes everything in it is DTT.

And with Bills guidance. He treated me very well and I thank him for it.

This truck doesn't get beat on, but it has done some boosted launches, on pavement and in 4X4!!!! 4 tires burning on pavement is quite impressive, but I would rather let the younger guy--with more $$$-- show off!!! I need it every day.

 

[EBung]

I am swapping converters in mine right now. You can let the weight of the trans help with the crossmember not going down. Where exactly is this check valve?

 

[PRohr]

I got mine all done... . took about 3. 5 hours to pull. I took the trans and T-case out as one unit with a trans jack and a floor jack on the T-case. I was able to pry down on the cross member and it came out. I had to use the porto-power to put in back in though and I put the trans and T-case in seperatly. I also installed a new input shaft seal on the T-case while it was apart. Not to bad of a job. Had the truck up on jackstands and had to have a various assortment or 2x4, 2x10 and 4x4 pieces to make the deck on the trans jack high enough but it worked out. It took me about 7 hours for the install as I ran all new cooler lines. I used push-loc hose from Jeg's and AN style fittings on the trans case. The heat exchanger already has the -8AN fittings so that made the install very easy and you can bypass the check ball and get rid of the leak prone steel lines. Yes the lines on the front cooler can be clamped on once you take the quick connect fittings off. Mine are clamped on. I hated the steel cooler lines cause they would rub against each other and spring a leak and I had pieces of rubber lines spliced in and it was always a mess so I just ran them with good hose and better aluminum AN fittings for a cleaner install and easier way to service the system.

 

[HerbW]

PRohr,

I'm just now getting to this transmission changeout due to work schedules and need of my truck. I looked up Jeg's AN fitting. Did you just install these fittings on the transmission and ran rubber hose all the way straight to the transmission cooler? What does an -8AN fitting mean? Is that a size? Sounds like a great way. Thanks, Herb