I am going to be doing some tranny work on my 94 Runner with 3.0 (swapping auto for 5 spd) My question is:
Is it easier to install headers with the tranny out of the vehicle? I want to put headers on eventually but it's not really in the budget right now. I've heard it's kind of a PITA anyway but if it is way easier to do when the tranny is pulled, I'll bite the charge card and go for it. Any hints?

Thanks!

Jim

 

The tranny isn't what makes header install hard... it's the clearances between the engine, related accessories and the frame rails.

Also, you want the tranny in place so you can finish the exhaust. With no tranny, you will have issues figuring placement. With my headers, I have to pull the exhaust to drop the tranny... and you will as well.

However, having the tranny out might make it easier to remove the factory exhaust crossover next to the firewall. But IIRC, I removed the crossover from above with the tranny installed. I may have had to remove the intake first for access.. It's tight back there.

 

OK, thanks! That's what I need to know. I'm just gonna do the tranny swap and worry about the headers later.

 

I can't even find any headers for the 3.0 any companies that sell them?

 

Downey for sure.

LCE possibly.

Thorley maybe.

.... I am sure there are others ...

 

crawled under this runner and damn if I can figure out how to get the
thing out to repair the poor welds the guy before me made ARG.....I don't think he had ever run a bead before bloody leaks all over the place!!
any little tricks out there to get it out with out removing half the engine bay????

 

Most likley... you are going to just have to pull the header if that's were the bad welds are. Maybe weld on a flange at the end of the header and then do the same to the exhaust.

Then re-install the header and build the rest.

Exhaust work can definitely be frustrating and labor intensive.