I feel like a dumba** today!

[Riveted1]

Well most days for that matter, but more so today. I'm trying to get the tranny out of my '71. Now just from looking at it, when I put my transmission jack adapter onto my low profile jack (it's like 2.25 in tall), the mount is still like 11" tall. Then I have to put the tranny on top of that.

My jack goes to 20", so I can only get my jack stands to about 19". (I still have to get the vehicle off the stands you know.) That just doesn't look like enough room. Someone told me to go buy the 12-ton 31" jack stands from HF, but then I'd have to buy a big-ass jack too! I can't believe people are using those humongous floor jacks and stands, so what ARE you guys using?!? Oh and I'm trying to keep it safe!!

[D'Animal]

I use the little standard frame stands with a row of 4x4 blocks for additional height. I never extend them to the top notch.

I bought a pair of the large frame stand at an auction for my big rigs. I used them all the time.

Safety is key.

[Longhorn Man]

I'll be honest, I have never used an adaptor that felt safe to me. When I am working at home, I generally bench press the tranny out. Usually I come out ahead, but there's been a time or two that it's kicked me good. Never any real injurys, but bruised ribs once.

[Riveted1]

Jack stands with wood scare me. That just doesn't scream "SAFETY!"

And bench pressing it out is not an option for me. The tranny weighs almost as much as me, and I'm not Lou Ferrigno!

Seems like there HAS to be a good safe way to do this.

[Sinisterspeed]

I agree with longhorn man on a 2wd but for the 4wd I use heavy duty motorcycle straps front and rear of the trans. Strap them to the top of the frame rails and let them down alittle at a time until its laying on a creeper.

The last 2wd I did I did something similar I used a wood 4x4 across the doors with the windows down and the doors shut then used a come along through the floor board to lower it down.

One of these days I will have to buy the right tool for the job.....

[airdale94]

I use the the big stands from Harbor Frieght. Bought 1 set for $20 and liked them so well I bought another set also. I also have there big 3 ton floor jack. It's a heavy SOB but I haven't bottomed (topped) it out yet. They come with a 1 year warranty, then get the additional 2 year warranty for like $10. Unless you get a really good $500 jack you're basically getting the same thing anyway. I did my research on jacks after my Craftsman quit holding pressure. The problem is with the seals. They're all made in either China or Japan. Even the Lincoln's.

Here's some good reading. I guess the seals made in Japan are OK.

http://www.hyjacks.com/H2.HTM

[Indyuke]

I just use a 2 ton floor jack and a small square of plywood between it and the tranny. Crawl under there with the wife and manhandle the tranny onto the jack, then jack it up and manhandle it into place.

Not the safest way, and I've done it alone before, but it's easier with two.

[PanelDeland]

Indyuke,does your wife have a sister?I'm asking because all mine will do with a trans is holler at me to get it out of the tub so she can take a bath.

I've benchpressed a few, used floor jack on a few and actually had a buddy with a lift and tranny jack.The lift/jack option would be my choice but if you ain't got one it sucks to do a tranny.

[northern 85]

Pull tires set it low on jackstands use an atv or cycle jack.Worked great for me.

[Riveted1]

Well, I got the tranny out. It wasn't pretty. I used part of the trans. adapter I had to get the tranny closer to ground level. It still wouldn't clear the frame rails and it wouldn't go out the front either. I ended up rolling it onto some cardboard I had and then sliding it out.

Obviously I won't be able to put it the new one in the way I took the old one out. Guess I'm gonna either have to get creative!

Sometimes I start wondering if it would just be worth it to pay someone to do this stuff. Then I realize no matter how sucky it is, it's still FUN!

[airdale94]

Harbor Freight also has some trans. jacks. Both manual and auto trans. If it's an auto they have 2 floor models. The manual one is a scissor type with a strap. Fully colapsed it's about 8-10" high. Can get for $50. I think I've seen the hyd. auto for about $50 on sale.

I've used my manual trans. one to remve a TH350.

[Riveted1]

I have the tranny adapter from HF. It fits my low profile jack. Problem is, I can't get the truck up high enough to get the new tranny back in.....

[Indyuke]

Haha! Yeah, my wife does have a sister... and from what I hear she likes getting dirty too.

[Bishops Trucks]

Forklift!

[Brock]

Brother-in-law runs a tranny shop, we use the lift/transjack option...I know thats the easy way.

However I've got a dirt track car that I can't always take over there and I've figured out that I can take the sissor/screw jack out of my 2005 F150 (I know) I opened up an I-bolt a little so it'll fit on the jack and put it into my 18v drill (rigid), it'll shoot the car about 18-20 inches off the ground in a matter of seconds. Then I've got lengths of telephone poles (18-19 iches tall/12 inch diameter) that I use as jack stands. I can get the whole car off the ground enough for me to climb my big butt under it and it feels VERY safe.

[cruiserman]

I used the HF adapter once on a cruiser. Used the big ass HF jack stands plus some 45lb plates to get the rig high enough in the air. I sat under there . Last time used some fan belts and a buddy.

[PETEM1957]

For what a Harbour Freight transmission jack costs it is definitely worth it. I had to drop my 4-speed by myself with the transfer case attached and it worked like a champ!!!

No other way to do it in my opinion. I paid around a $100.00 with a coupon and now have tranny jack for future use.

H/F is the best way to go for when you need specialty tools for limited use!

SAFETY IS # 1

[corn]

Ive used the cherry picker a couple different ways to put trannys in. From the front & my favorite is through the floor. Gotta love the removable hi humps!