Rent a trans jack and do it yourself. Trust me, you'll need it. Also get a pair of ratchet straps to strap the trans to the jack. I've pulled 2 so far and its not that big of a deal. I did them both on the ground. It might take a little time and effort to get the tranny back in, as it had to be lined up right for it to bolt back up, but just recruit your son to help you and it will bolt back up.

 

Hey All,

Here are some pics...I had wiped some of the oil off the front diff and off the bell housing but there's a fair amount down there...my kids over filled it so I've been waiting for it to leak out so I can get a "read" on how quickly it leaking but I'd say a 4"-6" puddle overnight...

Would it be worth it to invest in some of those drive-on ramps?...Maybe on all four corners?

As the time gets closer I'm sure I'll have all kinds of questions as to what has to be removed to get there...and will a FSM help?


Wes

 

The rear main seal isnt too bad, pulling the trans out is not so bad either to be honest. You probably do not need ramps or anything, you shouldnt have to move the trans out from under the truck, just back enough to get to the rear of the block. You are going to need a good foot or two of exstentions and a wobble joint to get at the top two bolts.

I have to pull my trans out this friday, it is a manual but it is conceptually similar process. I could take some pictures if you like.

 

Hey phorunninduke,

Any advice is more than welcome.

Adam F - I hear ya on the trans. jack - will getting the thing up on just front ramps help, or does that put things at an odd angle? I guess someone else has said get the thing up on jack stands...

Wes

 

I will be attempting this repair soon, but with a new clutch and resurfaced flywheel. Boy am I glad to have a lift and air tools. Wes - def subcontract your son to help, my dad did this with me since I was a real youngin' I still remember doing a steering rack on a 90 ford taurus when I was 11. Now I am teachin the ole man things, great fun!

 

haha i have memories of wrastling with a t5 tranny on my dads 90 mustang when i was a kid. years later, i helped him with the same thing on his 98 mustang. we didnt use a transmission jack for either, just a plain old floor jack. it might be easier to put back in with a floor jack because you can rotate and adjust it easier, just a thought. good luck

 

I wouldnt put it on ramps. 1 they creap me out 2 doesnt seem helpful 3 putting the tranny back in might be harder that way, and that is the hardest part anyway.

 

I gotcha on the ramps creaping you out..hey if it's uneccessary I'll not do it...I need to explore what a trans. jack looks like...oh, I found the '95 FSM on line in .pdf form so maybe that'll help in combination with the Haynes book I ordered. I'm still a bit unclear as to what exactly has to come out...it looks like the forward drive shaft, a cross member under the trans.

Does the tranfer case come out with the trans. it sure looks that way makes the thing look pretty heavy and bigger than what I had expected!

Wes

 

When we did it (I was labor, someone else was brains) we unbolted the driveshafts and crossmember and the entire transmission. I remember someone saying something about transfer case fluid would be all over the place.
I also remember something mentioned about later generations of 4runner being able to remove just part of the transmission without having that concern.

I don't remember exactly but your question will most likely be answered by the FSM.