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Easiest way to swap engine/trans/tcase from one body to another?

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Old 03-16-2007, 04:02 PM
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Easiest way to swap engine/trans/tcase from one body to another?

I'm going to be hopefully transplanting the Cummins/NV4500/205 from one Dodge to another soon. Both trucks will have the hood, grill, core support, rad, etc removed, is it possible to yank the whole assembly at the same time and put it in another truck like that or is it too cumbersome/heavy and am I going to have to take the trans/tcase off? I was also curious on weight, I'm guessing at least 1500#?
Old 03-16-2007, 04:18 PM
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My trucks are 2WD but I plan to swap engine and trans as one unit. Not sure what the t-case weighs but I would think it would be awkward with it attached.
Old 03-16-2007, 06:23 PM
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The transfer case weights in at 175 pounds and is ackward to handle. It isn't too bad if the truck is way up in the air and there are three of you. Once the transfer case is off, take the three bolts off the transfer case linkage braket and get that out of the way. Do you plan on doing this on a lift, I hope? Maybe I am a wuss, but I have worked both ways and the chassis lift gets my vote.
Old 03-17-2007, 09:06 AM
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Originally Posted by Boatnik
The transfer case weights in at 175 pounds and is ackward to handle. It isn't too bad if the truck is way up in the air and there are three of you. Once the transfer case is off, take the three bolts off the transfer case linkage braket and get that out of the way. Do you plan on doing this on a lift, I hope? Maybe I am a wuss, but I have worked both ways and the chassis lift gets my vote.
How would a lift make it any easier to get a motor in/out? Then I'd have to lift the motor that much higher. I was actually thinking of taking the front wheels off and getting the front end as low as I can get it to make it easier to lift the motor out. I've pulled/installed a million motors in cars, but never a Cummins in a pickup... Should be interesting.
Old 03-17-2007, 10:10 AM
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on a chassis lift you could un bolt everthing wiht the truck on the ground, then when the engine, tranny, and t-case is ready to drop out the bottom you lift the truck off of it.
Old 03-17-2007, 10:50 AM
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Will the crossmember under the engine come out that way?
Old 03-17-2007, 10:51 AM
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On a 4x4 there is an axle in the way too
Old 03-17-2007, 11:22 AM
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if you want the easiest way to do it, take off the cab, and lift the eng/trans/case out with a backhoe.



been there, done that
Old 03-17-2007, 12:15 PM
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I wouldn't think the oil pan would clear the crossmember under the engine, unless the engine can be lifted pretty much straight up.
Old 03-17-2007, 02:59 PM
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I'd leave the front tires on so you can roll the chassis forward or back to help get the whole engine/tran/t-case assembly out. Just make sure you have a good 2 ton cherry picker. Plus you'll need at least one helper to help push/pull the cherry picker with all that weight on it. Seems like alot of work just to trade engines/drive line.
Old 03-25-2007, 07:15 AM
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Well, I pulled the engine and trans together from my 2wd donor truck yesterday. All front end parts removed. It is kind of a tight squeeze. I don't think having a transfer case attached would make it any easier.
Old 03-25-2007, 08:14 AM
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motor

well this is just my 2 cents worth but seperate transfer case take out tranny and take out motor those are big pieces your playing with might take a couple hours longer but ill bet at the end when your trying to put it back in an other body youll save those hours and some frustrations
Old 03-25-2007, 08:20 AM
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Originally Posted by EClancy
if you want the easiest way to do it, take off the cab, and lift the eng/trans/case out with a backhoe.



been there, done that
Thats what I did, only I pulled the trans off (had to check the clutch and bearing) with the transfer case. It is SOOOO much heasier with the cab and front clip off. Pulling all at once would take a Good Cherry picker to do that in one piece.
Old 03-25-2007, 08:32 AM
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I have an A frame I can pull the front of the truck under. I'll probably have a few guys helping me also.
Old 03-25-2007, 09:12 AM
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I just installed a cummins and NV4500 assembled in my '79 F250 Ford. I wanted to install them together so I could see where the transmission was going to sit. I don't think you will be able to do the transfer case also as there will be no way to ballance it. I had to have the hook on my cherry picker almost all of the way to the back of the engine with just the transmission on it. The transfer case was fairly easy to bolt up after I got the engine/transmission in place. I think you will have to remove the transmission crossmember on both trucks so you can drop the tail end enough to get the engine to clear the front crosmember.
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