any tips for installing a new transmission?

[Mavsps]

I finally got my old trans out and what a B***H that was.. Anyone have any suggestions on putting in the new trans? Should I attach the trans to the transfer case before or after its attached at the bellhousing and crossmember? Also should I put the plugs into the trans before or after its up there?? any help would be appreciated

[Mavsps]

Bump putting the other one in in the next day or so

[forddieseldoctor]

I usually get the trans bolted onto the bell housing and let it sit down just a little so that the jack is still supporting it and then connect all the connectors and put the transfer case on. Then put the cross member in.

Also be sure to flush the cooler lines with some commercially available trans cooler flush in a can and replace the external filter if it has one.

[HOUTX01X]

i have done it a few times on my old lifted truck. i have always put the t case on first. everytime it was a pita because of the lift and i was doing it by myself with two floor jacks and some straps. next time i am getting tranny jack. then may be i would do tranny then t case

[Mavsps]

bump ive read not to bolt the converter to the flexplate however idk how else to do it?? You cant line the studs on the converter with the holes in the flexplate without the converter slipping too far into the bell housing?? Any tips?

[forddieseldoctor]

If you bolt the converter to the flex plate and then try to put the trans up there you will break stuff. The converter on a Ford trans needs to be completely seated in the bell housing. This means that the nub in the center needs to be below flush with the bell housing. When you put the trans up there the studs will only stick through in the last half inch or so of lineup. Then after you get your bell housing bolts tightened your studs should be sticking through enough to get your nuts started. If not then you have issues... such as an incorrect torque converter or flexplate on backwards or incorrect flexplate.

[Mavsps]

K that helps alot.. It just seems like the studs wouldnt make it threw the holes in the flexplate if all the way seated.. I guess ill have to try it in a little bit and see. Any way to line up the studs on the converter more easily than eyeballing it? Thanks alot for that info

[Mavsps]

Wait.. how can you tighten the bellhousing bolts and still get to the flexplate nuts?

[forddieseldoctor]

Originally Posted by Mavsps

Any way to line up the studs on the converter more easily than eyeballing it?

That's all I ever do. Kinda sucks on the ones that you can't touch the torque converter to spin it.

[forddieseldoctor]

What's this on? Is it on your 05? I usually take out the plug on the bottom of the cover between the oil pan and the transmission and use a semi-deep 3/8 drive socket and then use a remote start switch to bump over the engine and watch with a mirror to see when the studs line up with the hole. Otherwise you can use a 18mm box end wrench to turn over the engine from the crank pulley.