Engine/Tranny/tcase installation order

[theshadow]

Planning my installation for the drivetrain, and wondering what the most logical order of installation is with the body on?

Specifically a 5.0 block, 4R70W, and Dana 20.

Using Tom's crossmember and JBFab twin stick.

Engine with tranny together, then tcase?

Engine alone, and tranny/tcase together from below?

Thanks!

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[rydog1130]

I may be wrong as my body was off but I'd mount engine first then your tranny 2nd. maybe have your cross member attached to trans and twin sticks installed? Not sure if you have a hoist, but theres not alot of room between the tunnel and where the shifters connect, unless you cut a larger hole. I do know when I pulled my stuff with the body on I pulled motor first, then dropped trans by removing the two bolts that held the cross member to the frame. Good luck

 

[bratengj]

I installed each individually, starting with the engine and working my way back to the T.C. Not saying that's the best way but it was the best way for me.

 

[Jfryjfry]

We did it with all three together. Had to abort the first attempt to remount the engine leveler. It was a bit butt puckery but it worked. In the middle of it I said I’d do the tfer case separately but it was definitely easier to bolt them all together outside of the truck.

So I’d probably do it the same way again.

 

[reamer]

Engine first, ....then the Tranny and T-case as 1 unit

 

[SteveL]

I would go with the all in one shot install if you have the space.

 

[theshadow]

Interesting feedback, a little bit of all scenarios. I really wanted to try all 3 together, but it seemed like I barely squeaked out the engine/tranny together when I pulled the old out.

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[AZ73]

Interesting feedback, a little bit of all scenarios. I really wanted to try all 3 together, but it seemed like I barely squeaked out the engine/tranny together when I pulled the old out.

You need to move your engine hoist arm out 1 more bolt

 

[theshadow]

We did it with all three together. Had to abort the first attempt to remount the engine leveler. It was a bit butt puckery but it worked. In the middle of it I said I’d do the tfer case separately but it was definitely easier to bolt them all together outside of the truck.

So I’d probably do it the same way again.

Did you have your front clip completely together? What tranny do you have?

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[langester]

Interesting feedback, a little bit of all scenarios. I really wanted to try all 3 together, but it seemed like I barely squeaked out the engine/tranny together when I pulled the old out.

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You could remove the front tires and rims and set the front axle on short jackstands, that would gain you some space as well. Just a thought, good luck with it!

 

[Teal68]

With all 3 together the t-case adds some weight to make the assembly tail heavy which is helpful for getting up and over the core support. Any time I have ever needed all 3 pieces in or out I do them together.

 

[thegreatjustino]

Everyone has their preference. I absolutely HATE installing the transmission and transfer case from underneath when the engine is already in.

To me it is MUCH easier to bolt the engine in from the engine bay when the transmission is already in than it is to install the tranny to engine from below.

So, I install the transmission and transfer case from below, then drop the engine in. Much, much, much easier in my experience.

 

[Broncobowsher]

It looks scary, but it goes in best with all 3 bolted together on the floor first and dropped in as a package.

 

[SteveL]

The offset weight of the t-case makes it a pita under the truck. If you slide it in all in one you just jack up the t-case and install the crossmember. Even easier with a 1" body lift.

 

[73azbronco]

Pull the front tires off drop the front end, then try all three in from front, my issue was overhead clearance, only 7 feet.

 

[theshadow]

Thanks for the tips everyone, I'll give the 3 together a shot and drop the front a bit like suggested.

Won't be for another few months but wanted to get ahead of the staging.

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[904Bronco]

Late to the party with this, but just did the explorer motor and 4R70W install in my 69.
The last few installs I had the body off and did it as a unit with all 3 pieces.

This time I took the wheels off and placed the front axle on blocks. Remember to have it high enough to clear the engine hoist legs.

Angled the engine/trans with the engine strap, wrapped a towel around the D20 adapter a zip tied in place. Had help from my son and we got it in with out too much effort. I put the cross member in that I modified myself.

All good right... No we bolted in the D20 and there is just one bottom nut you can't get to because of the cross member. Jack up the trans with a block of wood and floor jack, unbolt the crossmember and one of the frame brackets to install and tighten the last nut.

Such fun...

 

[ngsd]

I just put mine in and it developed a rod knock so out it came. I took off the front tires and used bare steel wheels and set them on another wheel to keep it lower and get the hoist under it. I used a leveling puller and it was a piece of cake to take it out as a unit. I like this better as I can assemble on the bench.

 

[Seventee]

Why would you pull the transmission and transfer case to fix a rod knock? ?:?

 

[ngsd]

I am swapping it out with another engine