Installing a transmission in your Ford car or truck sounds like a big job, and it is. While you do not need to be a master mechanic to perform this operation, it will take patience, know-how and a lot of elbow grease. With the proper equipment, tools and a helper, a transmission can be installed in an afternoon by anyone with some mechanical aptitude, a working knowledge of the vehicles’ drive train and the ability to perform some heavy lifting. Assuming you have already removed the original transmission, putting the new one back in should not be too difficult.
Set the parking brake, put on your safety glasses and use the jack to raise the front end of the Ford high enough that the transmission can be slid underneath once you have set it on the jack stands.
Place jack stands under the frame in the front, making sure to give yourself enough room to get at the transmission. Carefully lower the front onto the jack stands.
Jack up the rear of the car to the same height as the front and place jack stands under the frame in the rear. Carefully lower the rear onto the jack stands.
Move the transmission into place underneath the vehicle. Be careful not to damage the underside of the transmission when moving it into place. You will need your helper to assist with this step.
Slide the jack next to the transmission and lift the transmission up, then slide the jack underneath it. Again, you will need the assistance of your helper to do this.
Jack the transmission up and into place. This may require some careful, minute maneuvers to clear the frame and underbody.
Use the socket set to install the bolts through the bell housing and into the back of the engine block. You may need the long extension to reach the ones at the top.
Lower the jack and then move it out of the way.
Bolt the cross member and transmission mount back into place and then bolt the mount to the transmission.
Bolt the driveshaft to the rear of the new transmission and to the rear differential.
Connect the transmission cooler lines to the radiator and any wiring harnesses to the sensors on the transmission, if applicable. You will also want to attach the dipstick tube at this time by putting it in position, then seating it into the side of the transmission.
Connect the transmission cooler lines to the radiator and any wiring harnesses to the sensors on the transmission, if applicable, as well as the speedometer cable and shift linkage. You will also want to attach the dipstick tube at this time by putting it in position, then seating it into the side of the transmission and bolting it into place.
Consult your vehicle’s specific owner’s manual for the transmission fluid capacity and pour that amount into the transmission through the dipstick tube. When it is filled properly, start the engine, shift the transmission through all the gears and then recheck the fluid level before driving.
