Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Swapping top cover's with transmission still in truck??

[Got Smoke?]

Well me and Dieselnut59 have been talking about swapping top covers on our trannies because he likes the 97 and older "long shifting pattern", where as I could care less for it and would love a 98 and up "close pattern. "



He claims that the top covers can be swapped with the trannies still in the truck I don't see how in the hell that would be possible???



I've put a couple of clutches in my old 97 and I just don't seem how it would be possible to pull the top cover with the transmission in the truck. Maybe if this is actually possible someone could shed some light on it for me.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

am I the only retard who couldn't figure out how to pull the top cover at all? LOL!



Forrest

 

[SRadke]

Sure you can pull the cover with the trans in the truck... . but I think you'll have to take the cab off to do it. You have to lift them up about 6" to clear all of the shift forks, how's he plan to pull that off? Cut a big hole in the floorboard and weld it up when you're done? I know a guy who would probably do that too LOL.



-Scott

 

[Jff24Gordn]

Its real easy.

1st steal some road signs to use at patches

2nd pull up the floor mat

3rd torch/sawsall/angle grind/hacksaw out the floor above the transmission

4th remove the top cover

5th put the new top cover on

6th get out your trusty roll of duct tape and the signs from #1 and make a new floor

7th put the floor mat back on



good as new

or drop the transmission. The shift cover has the shift forks attached to it and there is not enough room to pull it unless you have recently added a 12" body lift.

 

[BPonci]

Use a come-a-long to pull the back of the trans down!... ... ... ... ... . Just kidding! Pull the trans.

 

[Got Smoke?]

:-laf ok guys enough. I didn't think it was possible either.

 

[Fred Swanson]

Anything's possible. It's just what you have to do to get there.

 

[SRadke]

Originally posted by Got Smoke?

I didn't think it was possible either.

Oh, it's possible, just not recomended.



-Scott

 

[bnelson]

It's been done. See "Yankee Ingenuity" in the TDR issue 40. There is nothing wrong with outsmarting the factory engineers by accessing something with a cutting tool and closing up with a welder or pop rivet tool. (Go in with a blue-tip wrench and come out with a spark wrench. )



This is the same method I used to change fuel guages on both my '91 and '97. I just cut a hole in the floor of the bed big enough to change the fuel guage sending unit, then closed it up, actualling leaving a permanent access door on the '97. Beats removing the tank. Just bacause the service manual tells you the only way to do something is tedious, long, and involved doesn't mean its true. Some of the simplest things are represented as difficult to get you to take it to town instead of fix it yourself. The Chilton and Haynes books are written for the average Joe. If you make use of this forum you are NOT average Joe.



Brad

 

[krs]

Making access holes that weren't thought of by engineers is sometimes the only best way to get the job done. Try changing athe #4 sparkplug on an internatioal scout 4 banger, or changing the back head freezeplug on a jeep with a 232/258 six. There are vans that you can't change a plug in without either pulling the engine or cutting a new access hole. Just make a cover from sheet metal and screw it down with sheet metal screws so you'll always have the way in. Paint it and it'll look factory. who's gomma know when it's covered by carpet or mats?