DIY Transmission Jack?

[fireball 440]

I took the trans out of my truck this morning to replace the clutch and slave cylinder. I carefully lowered it down with the floor jack on the bell housing and my muscle on the tail housing. It was sketchy at best, but it worked.

Now I'm thinking to how I'm going to get it back up in there by myself and am looking into ideas on how to turn my 3 ton floor jack into a make shift transmission jack.

Has anybody tackled this or know of a tool company that makes such a tool?
I have a welder and some scrap angle iron or could even make something out of wood, but I need some starting ideas to get me going on something. You can see in the pic that clearance and space is limited.

 

[American Locomotive]

Put a flat plate on the floor jack, then get some ratchet straps and run them diagonally across the transmission and jack. That's usually what we do

 

[fireball 440]

just tack weld it right to the pad that's on the jack? That could work I think I like it. I was thinking of making a type of cradle to hold it straight since I'll be installing solo.

 

[racintj]

I took the trans out of my truck this morning to replace the clutch and slave cylinder. I carefully lowered it down with the floor jack on the bell housing and my muscle on the tail housing. It was sketchy at best, but it worked.

Now I'm thinking to how I'm going to get it back up in there by myself and am looking into ideas on how to turn my 3 ton floor jack into a make shift transmission jack.

Has anybody tackled this or know of a tool company that makes such a tool?
I have a welder and some scrap angle iron or could even make something out of wood, but I need some starting ideas to get me going on something. You can see in the pic that clearance and space is limited.

My dad always taught me: "if you're dumb, you gotta be tough." So, I just used a 2x4 under the trans pan. Sketchy?! Sure, but it worked. Done several by my lonesome.

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[fireball 440]

My dad always taught me: "if you're dumb, you gotta be tough." So, I just used a 2x4 under the trans pan. Sketchy?! Sure, but it worked. Done several by my lonesome.

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Automatics are easy with flat bottoms.

5 speed manual - no pan!

 

[gungatim]

every transmission I've ever done was with a floor jack and piece of 2x8. unless you are a pro, dedicated transmission jacks are overrated...

 

[Bobf]

A loooong time ago when we were young and Olds/hydro's were the thing we took an abandoned shopping cart top cut off, three cheap Western Auto scissors jacks (welded to each side and back with a piece of angle iron welded to the lift tab, and some chains to hold it on. Easier with two guys, ratchet each to raise and lower those very heavy monsters.

 

[racintj]

Automatics are easy with flat bottoms.

5 speed manual - no pan!

5-speed is easy and light. Changed many clutches out in my apartment parking lot, back in college. Drop it out on my chest and roll it to the ground. Separate the ****** from the bellhousing.

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[Ditch]

Man up
I've never used a jack when I've dove a transmission on my back

 

[fireball 440]

The things gotta weigh 150 lbs then trying to line up the input shaft splines with the clutch and flywheel. This is a half ton truck guys not a Ford Focus.

I do think I have an idea going for something quick though.

 

[American Locomotive]

Just ignore the "man up" people. Been there done that, it ***** and I don't do it anymore. I use a jack every time now.

 

[ex-x-fire]

These are hard to beat, I found one on craigs for 25 bucks, HF sells them for $100. Otherwise make some holding fixture to hook up to your floor jack.

 

[6PTsocket]

I have no idea they are any good or if it will fit your jack or transmission, but there are transmission cradles that fit many floor jacks by replacing the jack pad with the cradle. They have a post, just like the pad. I just saw one on ebay for $60. It may not be worth it. Maybe someone here has used one. Just a thought .

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[tfi racing]

Whipped one up out of some scrap angle and flat steel.My big floor jack has a bolt on round pad,my trans cradle bolts in place of it,I'll see if I can find a pic of it.

 

[Gogo300]

I have no idea they are any good or if it will fit your jack or transmission, but there are transmission cradles that fit many floor jacks by replacing the jack pad with the cradle. They have a post, just like the pad. I just saw one on ebay for $60. It may not be worth it. Maybe someone here has used one. Just a thought .

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I bought one of those cradles and I had to do a little modification to it. First the post was female and the same size as the hole in my jack. I found a piece of pipe that fit in the adapter plate snugly and into the jack. The transmission still slipped on the plate using only one chain. I went to ace hardware and bought some chain and eye blots to hold the rear of the transmission. After the transmission was secured i was able to use the adjustment screws and get the correct angle. I then lined it up with lady slipper pry bars and was able to slide it up to the engine. It made a heavy job into a one man operation.

 

[fireball 440]

OK this is what I came up with, OSB, 2x4's, and wood screws. The trans sits flat and is sturdy enough I wont have to worry about it moving around too much. Now just waiting for the clutch to come on Monday

 

[tym]

Anything that you could rent from AutoZone? Might be cheaper than shelling out $100 for something you might not use again.

 

[Stevenn1]

Sunex tool 7706?

 

[firworks]

OK this is what I came up with, OSB, 2x4's, and wood screws. The trans sits flat and is sturdy enough I wont have to worry about it moving around too much. Now just waiting for the clutch to come on Monday

Nice! Saved some bucks and should make the installation a lot easier at the same time.

 

[Ditch]

Just ignore the "man up" people. Been there done that, it ***** and I don't do it anymore. I use a jack every time now.

 

[racintj]

Nice! Saved some bucks and should make the installation a lot easier at the same time.

Good thinkin'

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[tym]

You need to get to da choppa and make your own jack!

Nowwwww!

 

[Stevenn1]

http://www.affjaxx.com/transmission-adapter-p-89.html