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1997 reg cab/short bed with a 2.3 and 5 speed manual.

Can I pull the engine and transmission together?

How does the shifter come off?

If I need to remove the transmission, do I just unbolt it from the block and pull it off? Nothing needs done with the clutch?


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on my 94 with 4.0 i guess if you pulled everything out you could pull together. however you will need to pull the driveshaft the rear trans crossmember, all the wires etc. clutch line will need to be disconnected, exhaust system dropped. Howeve since you are going to pull everything might be time to R&R the clutch system if it hasnt been done lately.

if shifter is same as mine pull boot up remove the nut and put on other end will pull it out then the shifter will pull out.

 

I believe most years are the same as far as removing the shifter: There should be ~4 Philips head screws around the base of the dust boot that holds it to the floor board. You do not have to remove the **** it you don't want to. I would suggest not, but if you want to, most years just pull off. Once you pull the boot back you can either loosen the big bolt to remove the top of the shifter, or there are 3 Allen bolts that hold the round cap on top of the trans. Put the shifter in neutral, remove the Allen bolts and pull up. It will pull right out of the trans. Make sure to tape off the hole or use a shop rag to block "junk" from getting in the trans.

As for pulling the engine and trans together........ unless you have a shop and an extra large hoist, I wouldn't even try it. Yes it is possible, but I wouldn't advise it at all. You would have to get the transmission cross member out to clear the tail of the trans. Then you would have to have the truck high enough in the air for the tail of the trans to tip down when you go to tip the engine to angle them both out. This is where you would need a high lift to get the whole thing up in the air to clear the front upper radiator support. I am sure there are a dozen other issues to deal with but these were the biggest ones that came to mind. I have pulled my 2.3L and 5sp by myself, and it is a lot more manageable when you don't have a professional shop.

Unbolting the trans from the block is not too difficult (in theory). Start with the top 2 bolts up by the firewall as these will be the worst to remove. You may have to get creative with some serious extensions, or remove the hood to get a better angle on them. There is no right way of getting to these, what ever works best for you. If you search my user ID you may find the various ways that I delt with those stink'n bolts.

You will need the tool to disconnect the clutch line (very cheap at the parts store), and if you do it carefully you won't have to bleed the system when it goes back. You may want an extra set of hands if you can get them to help lower the trans down as it is heavy an awkward to deal with on your back. Make sure you drain it first or you will make a good mess once you tip it. Also you will need a clutch alignment tool (very cheap at the parts store) to line every thing up before it goes back together. I removed the cross member and rigged up a support that wouldn't fall for the back of the trans so when I pulled it back it could rest on the front cross member, and the tail was on the support. The other thing you can screw yourself on is you need to get the truck up in the air high enough to slide the trans out from under it as the bell housing is taller than you would expect.

Feel free to ask questions as you go and if I don't get to your questions I am sure someone else will.

 

Thanks.

I'm pulling the 2.3/5 speed and dropping in a 5.0/AOD, so reassembly of the old stuff isn't a concern.

I got everything off the front and sides of the engine, took out the complete engine wiring harness, unhooked the clutch line, removed the radiator, and removed the exhaust. All I have to do before I pull it out now is unhook the driveshaft and remove the shifter stick. All of my sockets are 6 point, so I need to go find a 12mm 12 point socket to remove the driveshaft with an impact gun. I try turning the shaft bolts with a wrench and the truck wants to "drive" off of the jack stands, lol.

I'll post up if I have any problems.

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yes, you can, but this is not so good idea, you can damage tranny ore cabine. I advice you to drop a tranny (1 hour deal) and pull engine.