NP203 install without killing yourself?

[chevy111]

I pulled the thing out to get it freshened up and rebuilt my tranny at the same time. Now im wondering what is the best way to get it back in. Im stuck with two floor jacks, some jack stands, and one buddy. Is it easier to have the tranny attached and put it in all at once, or put the tranny in first? Im sure if any one has done this they know how dam heavy this thing is. Any info on the way someone did this the easiest would be great. I just dont want to end up in the hospital with a crushed hand or something.

 

[tacoma]

Install it separately, if those are the tools you've got to work with. Proceed with caution! I hate 203's.

 

[Jason4x4]

trans in first, then t-case. I used one of these, with a 2x4 under one side of the t-case to make it sit level, goes in just fine.

 

[chevy111]

Did you use the jack for the tranny or the case? Will the strap fit around the case, and what do you mean you used a 2x4 to level it?

 

[Jason4x4]

I used the jack for both, I used the strap on the trans, but not the t-case. In order for the t-case to line up square on the trans, when it is sitting on the jack, you should be able to see where to put the 2x4 under one side of the t-case so that it sits level.

 

[rollin36s]

put the trans in first .bolt up the crossmember. then get 3 friends to help you 1 to do the floor jack one to guide in the 203 and one to bolt it in place from the access hole in the floor.....no matter what it sucks i pulled out mine yesterday

 

[pauly383]

You could also use a cherry picker with the tranny tunnel removed , of course the rear will sag down , but once front is close , you use a jack under the rear .

Or just have Jason4x4 come over , he has the tranny jacks

 

[dbreid]

I bought the 450 pound Harbor Freight tranny jack (the scissor one) and it did a pretty good job. I had good luck with a jack under the tranny to hold it at the right angle (and to adjust) as well as the tranny jack holding the 205, and finely adjusting the height, etc. I put the adapter and the sleeve mated to the transmission first, and used the sleeve to help line things up. I also installed everything in neutral (properly blocked and chocked, of course) so I could spin splines to line up.

I also had luck with some long bolts that I threaded into the adapter (between the adapter and the transfer case) to help line things up as I guided it in. I didn't want to mess up the gasket and dent and crack things. So once I had the transfer case up under the truck and roughly in position (about 6 inches away from the adapter) I installed long bolts and then used those to help guide them together.

Worked pretty well.

-Dan

 

[chevy111]

Yeah I think I might buy the tranny jack. Looks like a better plateform to get the case up in there. I put a 205 in my 71 and it was pretty straight forward. This 203 just seems a whole lot heavier and bigger. Im just wondering once its in how to adjust the linkage for the shifter.

 

[chevy111]

Got the case in and used the tranny jack. Made it way easier. Thanks guys!