89 5-speed. This is my first post. I will try to keep it short. I have read the clutch posts. It looks like it is very difficult to pull a transmission-tranfer case on your back, by yourself. I thought I saw a post few years back that pulling the engine would maybe be easier even if it takes more time. I don't need to do any transmission repair, just clutch. I have the time and would like to give it a try, either way. I have done minor work on the car; fuel pump, clutch slave, brakes. I have a Chilton manual. Thanks for any advice you have.

I'd pull the transmission. It was not what I'd classify as "very difficult". Two floor jacks on hand will help. Much less to disconnect this way. This advice applies to the 4-cylinder Trooper.

IIRC, you have to pull the trans to pull the engine...or maybe that's only if you don't disconnect the diff brackets and drop the differential down. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I did a clutch job on my 88 Trooper 4-cyl/5 speed back in 2004. As I recall, it wasn't terrible, but I had a couple guys help out. I don't recall having to drop the exhaust out of the way, which is the part I hate because of the fragile nature of exhaust bolts and connections.

I make it a habit on any clutch job to get an early start and call the machine shop in advance to make an appointment to get the flywheel surfaced. Nothing worse than dropping the trans and then find out it will be a week to get the flywheel ground. I know that some just leave the flywheel in and change the disk / pressure plate only, but it seems like whenever I've cut that corner the clutch will eventually shutter.

Good luck!

Thanks for the replies. I hate to sound so stupid. I don't even know what IIRC is. The book I have says you can change the clutch by pulling the engine if you suport the tranny. Thought I would try it as a learning experience. I will be doing this without help. The posts I have read look like lots of guys are getting some serious learning by taking out the tranny. I realize it will take more time but its easy time compared to dealing with that tranny on my back alone. Any more suggestions folks might have would be appriecated. I will drop a post to let you know how it works out. Thanks

IIRC: If I Remember Correctly <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

It is possible to pull the motor and leave the tranny, but there is WAY more involved to pull the motor and leave the tranny, than there is to pull the tranny and leave the motor.

I recommend not doing either job on your own unless you have an engine hoist (for the motor) or a transmission jack (for the tranny). Isuzue bits are HEAVY!

Randii

Get a jack ( not a bottle jack... ) and pull the tranny. Otherwise you might as well just rebuild the engine while you have it out that far. Get the flywheel resurfaced and replace the slave cylinder. and just put the tranny back in after your all finished. If you dont intend to rebuild the engine, dont bother pulling it.

For what it's worth, I found this tranny to be a real PITA (pain in the ass) to pull. There's a lot to disconnect, no more than with any other 4WD, but getting the integrated tranny & tcase out was a challenge. Getting to the top bolts was a pain, too. I finally fuond that going at it through the shifter hole, after lowing the transmission a little, with a LOT of extensions, worked pretty well. I've done it twice now and hope that my current clutch lasts a long time!!!

I would definitely get a purpose-built tranny jack from Harbor Freight or somewhere else and have a friend help when dropping it. I would also recommend the factory shop manual as well.

Also, a block of wood under the oil pan and a floor jack help to tilt the rear of the drivetrain down (with crossmember removed) to give better access to upper bellhousing bolts. watch the distributor (v6) on the firewall!