Transmission Jack

[dgoodhue]

I need to buy a transmission jack, I have been waiting a month for one. I tried borrowing one, I tried buy one it was out of stock and I got a cancellation notice today.

I need it for a 700r4 in my Corvette but I want it to be able ot do 4L80E if needed. I believe in buy quality tools (I also don't want to spend 800-1000 either though) Do the $50 adapter work? I looked on haborfreight, Amazon.com, and few others. What are good name brands of equipment? I feel like I am just using a dart board.

 

[jwaller]

Re: Tranmission Jack

Re: Tranmission Jack

I've used the cheap one from northern tool, it's pretty good as long as you have a good floor jack.

 

[blk97ta]

Re: Tranmission Jack

Re: Tranmission Jack

i used one of the attachment types on my floor jack to put the rear in my ta and it worked fine ! i figure if it helped putting a rear in a tranny shouldn't be a problem ! :tup:

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: Tranmission Jack

Re: Tranmission Jack

Cheap adapter on the way, thanks for the input.

 

[SY2932]

Re: Tranmission Jack

Re: Tranmission Jack

Those adapters will work but, you are some what limited in maneuverability due to the fact that a floor jack only has swivel casters on one end. I bought my transmission jack from Harbor Freight several years ago during a special for the price that I would have paid for one of those adaptors all by itself.

But the BIG problem with using a floor jack is the limited swing that you are going to have under the vehicle to raise it... You can have if off to the side and that will buy you a little more clearance to pump it. Good luck trying to slide it perpendicular though on those fixed casters when you are trying to get those bellhousing bolt holes to line up.

The worm screw on mine is a PITA to turn at first with the added weight of the trasfercase. However once it gets up a ways, it's very easy going once the mechanical disadvantage is overcome.

Best $50 sans S&H that I ever spent...

 

[MikeRenz]

Re: Transmission Jack

myclone made an adapter a while ago...don't have the pics though. looked like a fairly simple thing to make

 

[SY2932]

Re: Transmission Jack

myclone made an adapter a while ago...don't have the pics though. looked like a fairly simple thing to make

Unless you know something I don't, that was to hold the case during the rebuild process. He used an old engine stand and some angle steel to fab it up. Need to make one myself as well as a myriad of other things :roll: ...

 

[myclone]

Re: Transmission Jack

Unless you know something I don't, that was to hold the case during the rebuild process. He used an old engine stand and some angle steel to fab it up. Need to make one myself as well as a myriad of other things :roll: ...

Mikes correct. The thingy I made was to hold the trans on an engine stand once its out.

However, being the cheap skate I make do with a modded floor jack which is nothing more than welding two 1/4-20 nuts to the inside of the jack pad across from each other and a 2x12x12 piece of wood screwed to the jack pad via those two nuts. It works ok for me but as Mike mentioned the stationary casters on the front of the jack make it a PIA to position the trans if your not Herman Munster and cant wrestle it where you need it to go. Its not much of an issue for me but forget about it if youre not working on a concrete floor so the rigid casters will slide sideways easily or you dont have a lot of hind end to move things around. I got hind end to spare so I can fling the jack/trans around where I want it but using a unit like Mike has with all swivel casters would make things a LOT easier.

 

[VermontTy]

Re: Transmission Jack

I have used an adapter before, but the geometry of my jack just didn't favor holding a transmission, especially when it was raised into position. It was VERY unstable; the tranny jacks usually have a wider stance on the casters, and a better center of gravity because the platform isn't way near the front like it is on a floor jack. I asked my wife for the one from Northern Tool for Christmas...I think it was like $125 - $150.

If you're going to put in one tranny, do it on a floor jack with a friend. If you're going to get after one every week like waller & co. might, spend the cash; I'm sure they're nice to have around.

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: Transmission Jack

I have used an adapter before, but the geometry of my jack just didn't favor holding a transmission, especially when it was raised into position. It was VERY unstable; the tranny jacks usually have a wider stance on the casters, and a better center of gravity because the platform isn't way near the front like it is on a floor jack. I asked my wife for the one from Northern Tool for Christmas...I think it was like $125 - $150.

If you're going to put in one tranny, do it on a floor jack with a friend. If you're going to get after one every week like waller & co. might, spend the cash; I'm sure they're nice to have around.

I already ordered an adapter. After ordering it I remembered how clunky jacks are for rolling around. Fortunately I have a pretty beefy jack to begin with, so hopefully it will be better than you experience for stability. In the past my friend and I alway did transmission with just a floor jack (an no adapter), however its going to be pretty tough to convince anyone to help me out in this weather...

Owning a Sy, I imagine I will be doing more than one transmission.

 

[KETCH-UP]

Re: Transmission Jack

I have had to pull my tranny 4 times this year, and it seems the periods of time I have available are late at night, when I cant get help. I made a frame for my floor jack, it was ok but unstable at height. Ended up buying an atv jack with extended reach. The platter is big, 10 by 12 inch ,and the trans pan sits flat on it. The stance of the casters is about double compared to a floor jack. I still have to raise the front of the truck to get the trans under, then drop back down 2 inches onto the jack stands. After that everything is easy.Just my .02

 

[SY2932]

Re: Transmission Jack

In the past my friend and I alway did transmission with just a floor jack (an no adapter), however its going to be pretty tough to convince anyone to help me out in this weather...

Too bad you're not closer, I don't mind driving through a *few* states to help with a trans pull/swap but your location exceeds my limit...

Owning a Sy, I imagine I will be doing more than one transmission.

Heh, I think that's the quote of the year :lol:

"Transmission carnage, BTDT three times so far for me, five times for others..."