Before You Begin:
* Safety First: Disconnect the negative battery terminal. Support the vehicle securely on jack stands. Wear safety glasses and gloves.
* Consult a Repair Manual: Obtain a factory service manual or a reputable repair manual specific to your vehicle's year, make, and model. This manual will provide detailed instructions, torque specifications, and diagrams crucial for the job.
* Gather Tools: You'll need a variety of tools including sockets, wrenches, jack stands, transmission jack, torque wrench, pry bars, fluid catch pan, and potentially a helper.
General Steps (This is a simplified overview; consult your repair manual):
1. Fluid Drainage: Drain the transmission fluid completely.
2. Disconnect Components: Disconnect the driveshafts (front and rear), shift linkage, electrical connectors (speed sensor, etc.), cooling lines, and the torque converter.
3. Remove Exhaust System Components: You may need to partially or fully remove exhaust components for better access.
4. Support the Transmission: Use a transmission jack to support the transmission's weight.
5. Disconnect the Transmission from the Engine: This usually involves removing the bellhousing bolts connecting the transmission to the engine. This often requires carefully breaking the connection between the engine and transmission, which may involve manipulating the transmission jack to allow for clearance.
6. Lower the Transmission: Slowly lower the transmission using the transmission jack. Be mindful of any obstructions.
7. Clean Up: Clean up any spilled fluid and debris.
Specific Considerations for a 4x4:
* Transfer Case: You'll likely need to disconnect the transfer case from the transmission as well.
* Front Driveshaft: Removing the front driveshaft will be more involved than the rear.
* Additional Components: Four-wheel-drive systems have additional components that need to be disconnected and may require specialized tools.
Again, this is a simplified overview. Attempting this without proper knowledge and tools can lead to serious injury or damage to your vehicle. A repair manual is essential, and professional help is strongly recommended. The process is complex and involves many crucial steps that are difficult to describe comprehensively in a text-based format. Incorrectly performing any of these steps could cause significant damage to your vehicle.
