Dropping trans w. transfer case?

SYCLONE#1531

'MOFOFAST
Is it possible to drop the transmission with transfer case attached? I will be doing this on a lift with a transmission removal jack.. installing a new convertor and transgo valve body kit...:D
 

CavScout

Member
Re: Dropping trans w. transfer case?

That's how I do it.
Only much closer to the ground and I use two jacks...very, very slowly and with much care. The transfer case will be offset, so place the back jack to the driver's side or it will twist the transmission. I also pull the crossmember with the whole assembly.
 

Beavis

Still plays with trucks
Re: Dropping trans w. transfer case?

Actually yes you can on a ty, I just did last month. Left the cross members in and torsion bars in and exhaust in. It's no easy but can be done. You can even put an 4l80e with t-case in as one piece if you cut down cross member by 2 1/2 inches and about 10 inches wide. Snug but do-able.....
 

CavScout

Member
Re: Dropping trans w. transfer case?

DaveP...really.

"So certain are you. Always with you it cannot be done. Hear you nothing that I say?"

- Yoda

Apart.jpg

Together.jpg


...and then I put it back under the truck. Just like I took it out only in reverse order, neat huh?
 

jwaller

Evil Genius/SyTy Guru
Re: Dropping trans w. transfer case?

Is it possible to drop the transmission with transfer case attached? I will be doing this on a lift with a transmission removal jack.. installing a new convertor and transgo valve body kit...:D

don't try it. and don't use any shift kit on the syty VB. the stock setup is beyond any shift kit you can buy. it your truly stock LHM syty trans is shifting soft it's not because of the VB.
 

Beavis

Still plays with trucks
Re: Dropping trans w. transfer case?

So how do you do it? Tilt the trans so much you risk that the converter will fall out of it, or that the whole assembly will slide forward off the jack? Doesn't sound real stable or safe. But hey, gravity helps to get shit out.

I thought you have a 4L80? And you advocate cutting shit to do it. Oh well. About what to expect from a guy that can't find a blown fuse.

Well to pull the 700 and tcase out it didn't tilt that much, but yes some. You can and I did put a small brace on the front to hold the converter on. And yes you have to cut the cross brace to get the 80 and tcase in as one piece because of the angle and again a brace to hold the converter in.

And it wasn't that I could find it, I didn't expect one fuse for gauges to control the upper left section of the entire fuse panel.
All the vehicles I have had electrical issues with in the past were powered left to right. These are right to left.
My bad Mr Perfect, oh and as a side note I was having a really bad day, nothing worked out for me all day long. But i guess that kind of thing doesn't happen to you....

Back to our thread, sorry for Dave's hi-jack......and my rebuttal.
 

turbodig

Active member
Re: Dropping trans w. transfer case?

DaveP...really.

"So certain are you. Always with you it cannot be done. Hear you nothing that I say?"

- Yoda

Apart.jpg

Together.jpg


...and then I put it back under the truck. Just like I took it out only in reverse order, neat huh?

Color me confused... I've had mine in and out about 5 times now, but I could never see a way to get the whole thing out, without gouging things all up.. My tcase snout sticks over the torsion x-member 2-3".

Are you dropping the front down and out after moving the whole assembly rearward?

Would have been a bunch easier had GM notched the crossmember from the get-go.
 

sy1907

SYCOTIC
Re: Dropping trans w. transfer case?

[I've had mine in and out about 5 times now, but I could never see a way to get the whole thing out, without gouging things all up.. My tcase snout sticks over the torsion x-member 2-3".

Same here. I think all syty's should have quick connect fittings to take out the tranny and t-cases!
 

turbodig

Active member
Re: Dropping trans w. transfer case?

I'm actually curious to hear/see how it was done- I'm open to another way.

I have some limitations with my truck in that I'm really picky about nicking/gouging things up under there.
If it were a 100k miler, it'd be different.

I take all the stuff apart first, propshaft off, torque arm, tcase off. Given the pictures, I'm wondering if I can just pull the front of the propshaft off, and the torque arm bolt, and pull the tcase off with both still attached.
That'd save a bunch of time.

The tcase bolts are a PITA with all the stuff out, I hate to think about it with all that stuff on there.

I lost my hoist access, so this one will have to get done on the ground. New territory for me.
 

SYCLONE#1531

'MOFOFAST
Re: Dropping trans w. transfer case?

JWALLER, Ive heard the transgo kit would possibly add some longevity to the transmission? The only issues it has at the moment is a very hard 1st 2nd shift when cold. Is there anything I can do for tranny to help it live alittle longer? .500 Boost valve etc??
 

CavScout

Member
Re: Dropping trans w. transfer case?

If I had a truck anywhere near the condition yours is in, I would NOT do it (I'd be a big fat nick-ninny, too)...but I don't, so I do.

- Drop rear driveshaft, disconn front one.
- Move downpipe and exhaust. (To reach transmission fluid lines and TV cable, if you can get them without doing this, neat.)
- Disconn all electrical, shifter, TV, Trans. fluid lines, etc.
- Loosen crossmember mount and frame bolts, do not remove, yet.
- Remove all transmission bellhousing bolts.
- Get your jack under the transmission pan (mine has a removable pin and I have a welded 1/2 cradle to prevent it from slipping forward and loop lines to go over bellhousing to prevent convertor sliding out), place 2nd jack under the transfer on the driver's side lowest point.
- Remove crossmember mounting bolts.
- Lift transfer case and remove crossmember.
- Slide Transmission/ Transfer assembly backwards.
- Lower transmission until you can remove dipstick tube (and Transmission lines if you haven't already).
- While watching tailhousing of transfer, lower transmission to clear flexplate. If needed lower transfer.
- Slide assembly forward of torsion Crossmember and lower transfer case and transmission jacks to the ground.

- I may have forgotten steps but you get the jist of it.

I have to jack the side of the truck off the jackstands a little to pull it out from under the truck and bam, I'm done. This may not be OSHA sactioned, nor ASE recommended, but it works for me. My secondary MOS was 63S30H8 Heavy Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic w/ Wrecker qualification...and I don't care if it's pretty. I don't place myself in dumb positions while doing this and I keep in mind "It can fall". I've also had to pull this thing out 3 times in 4 months, so I'm pretty proficient at it...now.
 

wildphil

I Love My Ty's
Re: Dropping trans w. transfer case?

I didn't think it was to bad taking it out in two pieces. It looks like it would be a hassle trying to remove them togather. But thats just me. We all have our own way of doing things.

I do know after the first time you get a lot faster at it.
 

jwaller

Evil Genius/SyTy Guru
Re: Dropping trans w. transfer case?

JWALLER, Ive heard the transgo kit would possibly add some longevity to the transmission? The only issues it has at the moment is a very hard 1st 2nd shift when cold. Is there anything I can do for tranny to help it live alittle longer? .500 Boost valve etc??

hard 1-2 is normal. do not mess with it. change the fluid with some good dex 3 and let it go. if it's been forever since it's been done, swap the pans so you can do it again in a week and get most of it swapped over to fresh stuff. If you don't like the harsh 1-2 then do not put the 500 valve in, it will be even worse.

if it's working then leave it alone.
 
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