Engine/Transmission install together?

LuckySun · Feb 28, 2014

Has anyone tried installing engine/transmission together, or should I just stick with intalling engine and then connecting the tranny? I know I would need a leveler arm for the hoist, but does anyone have any experience connecting them and then dropping them in together?

It's the 4.0 with the AX-15 in a 95 YJ. Was planning on doing one at a time, but figured it may save some time/headache (or may cause some) if I tried connecting them before dropping everything in.

0III0forlife · Feb 28, 2014

The only way you would have enough room to install it "all 1 piece" is if you had the walk-away completely off of it. At least the grille would have to be removed.

The motor just barely fits between the firewall and the motor mount towers and there isn't really any room for error. By the time the tranny gets far enough in there to start leveling it out, its going to be hitting the ground.

LuckySun · Feb 28, 2014

I guess I should have clarified...

I've been doing a ton of work on it recently and already have the entire front clip removed. I am currently waiting on new motor mounts/brackets so that's not a concern since none of that is present currently. If I go the route of 1 piece, then I was planning on connecting the block brackets and mounts after everything was in place to mitigate clearance issues.

Currently the motor is sitting in an old tire and the tranny is on a tranny jack. I was in the process of dropping the motor in when I realized that the motor mount brackets wouldn't work so I'm just playing a waiting game and my mind is wandering. It may be lazy, but I'm just trying to think of ways to make the install quicker and easier, and if it's possible to do this without laying on my back on cold concrete wrestling a transmission back into place, then I'm all for it.

W5KVV · Feb 28, 2014

Absolutely. Do it in one stab if you have the front clip off the Jeep. Might require an extra man to get everything lined up, but much easier than breaking the tranny off the motor & going in from the bottom with it.

LuckySun · Feb 28, 2014

Should I remove the T-case from the tranny, or can I leave that on? Also, I'm assuming I should drain all fluids from the tranny before trying this, correct?

W5KVV · Feb 28, 2014

I would do it all if you have a cherry picker that will handle everything. If you have everything out of the Jeep now I would drain all the fluids, install & refill. It won't save you much on weight by draining the fluids, but changing the tranny/ tcase fluid is always a good thing.

LuckySun · Feb 28, 2014

I have a 2 ton cherry picker so I know it can handle the weight....how much is all of this going to weight though as I need to know where to set my boom? I'm thinking the motor is probably around 500 lbs and the transmission with tcase is probably another 300 or so...are those good estimates?

Also, has anyone used one of the harbor freight load leveler? I like the idea of the hand crank to adjust the angle, but I'm always a little hesitant with HF parts...especially when said part is what's holding 800 lbs above me. Are there other levelers out there that are recommended?

Jeeprich25 · Feb 28, 2014

I'd guess your engine/tcase can't weigh more than 200 lbs. Installed mine twice over the last 6 months and benched the tcase off my chest under the jeep. Trans was def heavier and attached I struggled to drag them at all.

Jeeprich25 · Feb 28, 2014

Sorry. Trans/transfer case. Not engine. 200 lbs would be nice.

Xj-jeep-yj · Feb 28, 2014

I couldn't tell you the weight and I also hate hug parts but I have their leveler and it worked great when pulling mine. Helped a lot. I pulled it motor and tranny also with no problem

W5KVV · Feb 28, 2014

I figure the 1000 lb. spot on the cherry picker will be ample.

LuckySun · Mar 1, 2014

Thanks guys. I'll give it a shot. Tomorrow I'll connect the tranny and engine. As soon as my new mounts and brackets from brown dog arrive, I'll install everything. I can't wait to get this Jeep back on the road...it's spent way too much time in my garage lately.

I have dozens of pictures of every step along the way so hopefully I'll be able to help others when the time comes.

Thanks again!!

Engine/Transmission install together?

LuckySun

0III0forlife

LuckySun

W5KVV

LuckySun

W5KVV

LuckySun

Jeeprich25

Jeeprich25

Xj-jeep-yj

W5KVV

LuckySun

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