I am yanking the gearbox out to fix the diff. Using my book, the Maxima tech PDFs and http://www.motorvate.ca/ instruction to do this. I have a plan using my bottle jack, two layers of plywood and chunks of 2X4 all screwed together to support the engine and my floor jack and a couple of pieces of plywood again to raise and lower the trans case.

Any words of inspiration or cheap alternatives?

 

A half decent floor jack and 1/2" to 1" thick block of wood under the oil pan will support the engine. I held mine up with that method and one motor mount just fine.

 

Sorry to hijack but our stock diffs are open right? I just can't find it written anywhere.

 

US spec Maxima come with an Open diff
Canadian Spec max's might come with LSD's but your might not. Check the vin plate to be sure.

if you see a "V" in the tranny code you have LSD
If you see an "A' in the tranny code you have an Open Diff