Transmission/xfer case swap

[TomJ]

Hi All,
In the process of finishing a transfer case & transmission rebuild that will go into my running CJ3A.  As I have only done this installation on Jeeps with the bodies removed I’m considering how best to do this from underneath. Has anyone out there done this that could offer any advice on the best way to make this work smoothly?

Thanks in advance
Tom

[Rus Curtis]

Hi All,
In the process of finishing a transfer case & transmission rebuild that will go into my running CJ3A.  As I have only done this installation on Jeeps with the bodies removed I’m considering how best to do this from underneath. Has anyone out there done this that could offer any advice on the best way to make this work smoothly?

Thanks in advance
Tom

I remember offering an opinion on this a while back but back then my choice was to pull the front off and lift the entire drive train out (I can't remember when or where I posted that).  Since then I've read a few posts on the CJ2A forum about how others have done this.  Some have dropped the gear boxes down using a transmission jack.  A couple had fabricated a plate to bolt the transmission directly to the transmission jack to keep it from being unbalanced and difficult to maneuver using the jack.

I put my idea on hold, mainly because I wasn't looking forward to unhooking all the work under the hood.  But I also wasn't keen on having someone else fabricate a plate that would work with our transmission/transfer case either. 

Then someone posted that instead of fabricating, they purchased a spare transmission mount plate (already had the bends and holes in place for the transmission) and all that was needed were bolts and spacers to attach to the jack.  I didn't see many complications with that so I bought one of those spare plates.  This week HF just put their 800lb transmission jack on sale so now I'm switching to dropping the gears to remove, leaving the bell housing/engine in place.

These are some of their ideas.   The last was the one I have parts for now to set up:

https://www.thecj2apage.com/forums/rr-gearboxes-without-removing-engine_topic43715_page2.html?KW=transmission+jack+adaptor
https://www.thecj2apage.com/forums/using-ramps-vs-jack-stands-for-t90-d18-clutch-swap_topic47610_post481685.html?KW=transmission#481685
https://www.thecj2apage.com/forums/transmission-jack-adapter_topic47617_post481752.html?KW=transmission#481752

The one thing that seems to be important with this vs. pulling the entire drivetrain out from the front is regardless of whatever is used (jack/adaptor), ensure there's enough room under the frame to roll the assembly free.  Most suggested ramps or jack stands to ensure clearance.

[PercyUK]

Hi, I used the trolly jack method. It is fiddly but doable. I think I raised the front a little to help with clearance but got there in the end. I'm assuming you also have the bell housing attached. If you do make sure you secure the clutch release fork in position with cable ties or something. If it comes off it is very hard if not impossible to refit after it is all bolted up.
Good luck.
Btw I did it on my own, if you can get a mate to help it shouldn't be too hard.

[TomJ]

Thanks to both of you.  I looked for a possible link on this site but didn’t see one, the link you provided Rus was just what I hoped for.  I knew someone somewhere must have documented this.  Percy, glad to hear how you made out, gives me confidence to start it on my own and call for help if I get in a jam.