I’ve never installed a Transmission, before, but I have average skills, Exp I can do brakes seals ECT, just above general Up keep. and have Friends that are willing to help. Is this something I should attempt...?
Can anyone point me to a how to video?

 

It's pretty straightforward. If it's a manual just make sure you get the clutch disc lines up with the pressure plate (use a clutch tool or input shaft).

I would suggest a manual, they are the best tool sometimes.

 

Crawl under your truck, and have a look around. There are bolts from engine to trans, trans to transfer case, a mount, couple linkages, and some wiring harnesses. Biggest thing is, its HEAVY. You NEED a good jack, and some way to hold the trans on it, to lower it out, and jack the new one in. You are NOT going to simply bench press it up there. Not just no......

If you have friends, you can "make do" with a good floor jack, and folks holding the trans, I really don't recommend that though..... borrow, or rent a 'real' trans jack.... best chance of getting out of it with all your body parts intact.

 

I have a cheap trans adapter from Harbor Freight that works pretty good. But you're right, a trans jack will save time, and also allow you to install both t-case and trans together.

 

What ever you decide to do, remove the neg. battery cable first and the crank position sensor second.

 

Did a solo install of my 46RE (Ramzilla) in my 4x2 Indy last month.
No hoist, no trans jack, no adapter.

What are you installing, manual or auto?
4x4 or 4x2?
If you dont have a manual download the 01service manual from my site tech link on main page/or Merry Xmas thread here)

 

Well..., tell us! what did you use, The Force?

 

The Force & a bit of inginuity
408 wasnt in the truck but crossmember was.

Lifted the truck & put 6ton stands under where front of lower c arms mount.
3.5ton stands under axles. Both sets on 2nd notch from the top.
No way I could have the trans on my jack & roll it under so I had to make a dolly for it.
Used some 2x3 lumber with some 125lb swivel wheels.
It had my deep pan about 1" off the floor & top of the bell was about 2" below the body lip.
Rolled it under then lifted it off the dolly & onto the jack with ratchet straps attached to the frame.

For the jack I had a flat saddle I got from a place up here, may sell them at HF.
http://www.princessauto.com/workshop...or-jack-saddle
Removed the rubber bolted to the top & used it as template to counter sink holes in a piece of plywood I cut bit bigger than the trans pan.
Bolted the plywood to the saddle

Had to crawl out & into engine compartment couple times as I lifted it into postion.
With the crossmember in there was barely enough room to lift & turn it sideways
Didnt want to mess up my paint work on the frame.
Installed the tailshaft/crossmember dampner once in position.

 

Wow. SO that's what non-offroad rigs look like. Clean! Nice.

 

lol, i did the ratchet strap to frame on my buddies 94 nissan 4x4 when i replaced his clutch. i had a bottle jack and two ratchet straps...had truck up on ramps, and i layed on the ground, outside, with no air tools, and did the clutch....

it sucks without proper tools, but it can be done. i had to bench the tranny/transfer case a little to get the splines to line up when installing it back in, but i got it...