I used a ratchet about half size, with a head that will bend all the way forward or back. I got at one top bolt from the drivers side of the engine bay, just stuck my hand right down by the back of the valve cover and firewall. Other side was the same, I just took off the air cleaner assembly and got my hand down in there. All the other bolts were easily accessible from under the truck on my back. I'm not a big beefy guy though...might be with even just slightly larger hands, you won't be able to go in from the top for the those top two bolts.

Well...it's always good to worry about the right torque, but I'll admit that I don't worry about it when it comes to things like the tranny to engine bolts, or crossmember bolts...I just get them tight without seriously cranking hard on them.

 

I take the EGR out when I do transmission work. Its only 3 bolts and the big pipe nut and theres so much more room when its gone.

 

EGR is already out, due to weber carb install by previous owner.

Found a stubby 3/8 inch drive ratchet, that did the trick, the tranny is back in the truck (actually, a 5 sp upgrade, thanks for the L52, TP

And thanks everybody else, the job is nearly done, just need to put the starter back in, clutch slave cylinder, drivelines, shifter boots, and gear oil.

 

wish I had seen this earlier..probably could have helped you with it.

next time pull the transfer case...don't have to use as many extensions.

TrekkerPaul supplied my replacement L-52 too...you should see the one owner '80 2WD he just picked up...been to the moon and back but is in pretty good shape

 

Thanks for the offer, next time I'll give you a shout first.

Next up is to get the bed from TP and put it on...then I'll have a nice mis-matched rig. Red cab, blue bed.

 

Great! You'll like the 5 speed. Congrats on doing it yourself.

Close the drain plugs on the t-case & tranny, open the fill plugs, and pour gear oil in through the shifter holes until it comes out the fill plug holes, then put the bolts in. Much easier than trying to pump it in through the fill holes.

 

'83 thanks!

Question:
I realized today I was supposed to apply grease to the throwout bearing...I didn't do that...is that a big deal or no? I hope no because I finished it anyway

5 speed is GR8! Shifts like butter too

 

Well...you should have. But last time I went to napa to buy some grease, they almost got pissed at me for implying that I would put any grease on any clutch component...they aren't smart, though.

I think if it's making no noise, you're ok. There is a way, through the rubber boot on your shift fork, to apply some grease in there if you need to. Did you not put any in there? None on the fork contact points, inside race of bearing hub, or bearing? I don't know how important it is, but I've always done it.

Glad the 5 speed is working out!

 

I greased the spindle, the spines on the clutch disc, and the throwout sleeve, just not the contact face of the bearing. No noise as of now. If it starts Ill try the application through the boot. The thought of pulling that tranny again makes me want to crawl under a rock, lol.

 

I hear you! I'd say you're fine. And the bearing surface is probably the only place you could access through the boot, so you lucked out there, in case it does end up needing it.