Getting my SM465 back into my 6.2L

[DeltaWolf]

So as the title says, I am having a hell of a time getting the tranny back into my 82 K2500. I would love to take it to a mechanic, but I don't have the money for the tow or even the cost of them putting it back in, sealing it, fluids, transfer case an probably a new cross member to support the trans to transfer case adapter in place.


SO I am using hand tools, no lift and a floor trans jack a buddy got from HF, so not a great start.


Honestly if someone is in the Kansas City area, I would figure a way to pay for the time. but as of right now it is me myself and I trying to get it back in. If anyone has anything that can help me I would love to see it. I need this truck back up, all I have is my wife's care and a motorcycle. wife would like her car back as well, lol. Thanks for reading.

[More Power]

I've replaced quite a few transmissions by myself without a lift... Though not a 465.

One way I found to make it easier is to build a crib to incrementally raise the transmission to the right height and angle. A hydraulic jack can be used to raise first one end then the other. I used blocks and lumber scraps to crib the trans into the position it needed to be.

You could use a motorcycle strap to secure the transmission to a rectangle of 3/4" plywood to use as a base for cribbing, which would make the setup more stable as you're raising it into position.

Once you get the transmission close to the right height, use another motorcycle strap to secure it to the vehicle so it cannot fall, as you wrestle it into its final position. Jim

[Yukon6.2]

Did you change the clutch?
I just did a Spicer 7 speed in my Topkick7500 by myself
I did have a tranny jack,but it was one for light trucks,the 7 speed pretty much maxed out the jack.
I made sure the clutch was reinstalled perfect,then i made sure one of the splines was exactly 12 O Clock,did the same with the trans.Plus i took a sharpie and drew a line straight back from a spline so i would know where the splines were once it was started into the clutch plate.
It went in nice and easy with no drama.
Take your time and make sure everything is right.Get the trans on a platform or jack and it will go in.

[arveetek]

My dad and I replaced one years ago with no jack. Had one guy inside the truck with the transmission tunnel removed holding the transmission up with a strap, and another guy underneath wiggling the transmission into place. Not ideal, but it worked.

Casey

[More Power]

My dad and I replaced one years ago with no jack. Had one guy inside the truck with the transmission tunnel removed holding the transmission up with a strap, and another guy underneath wiggling the transmission into place. Not ideal, but it worked.

Casey

When I was a high schooler, I changed an automatic in my 1994 Impala in our gravel driveway... in March (wet/cold), by myself. In those days, I'd not unbolt the torque converter from the flexplate… Didn't know any better. Luckily I didn't ruin any input shaft seals.

[arveetek]

In those days, I'd not unbolt the torque converter from the flexplate… Didn't know any better. Luckily I didn't ruin any input shaft seals.

On one of my first automatic transmission swaps, I failed to make sure the converter was pushed all the way back into the pump before tightening the mounting bolts holding the transmission to the rear of the engine. Ending up damaging the pump and having to pull the transmission again to get it repaired (again).

Some lessons are learned the hard way.

Casey