Hey guys, the auto transmission on my dads 95 Maxima died a couple weeks ago ( had 180k). I got a used one and I'm planning on replacing it this weekend. The new one is also from a 95 with 69k. I helped a friend swap an auto tranny on his 93 protege so I hope its not too different. Here's what I gathered from my experience and from searching on here:

I already took out both driveaxles and the y-pipe is still in (I plan to leave it on). I am planning on removing the crossmember, and lowering the engine a bit with jack/block of wood. Then remove the flywheel "window" and remove flywheel to torque converter nuts (how many are there?). After that just remove engine to tranny bolts, it should separate, then lower tranny with jack/block of wood on the tranny oil pan.. Is that the best way to do it??

Also, is there any preparation I need to do to the used replacement tranny before I put it on?? and whats the best method to lower the old tranny out and raise the new one up to the engine??

All suggestions/advice are greatly appreciated. I want this job to go as smooth as possible.. Thanks a lot guys..

 

You're probably gonna have to remove the ypipe, because the swap requires you to lower the engine and tranny as a whole before unbolting the tranny. Otherwise you won't get it out. If you plan on using the jack and block of wood method i suggest you have one person jacking and two laying under there holding the tranny stable. The auto tranny is pretty heavy and it will require some work to wiggle out of there, and the new one in. I'm not sure i would want to attempt this without a tranny jack. The manual was heavy enough, i can't imagine trying to hold up an auto tranny if it starts to slip off that block of wood.

 

not only is the tranny heavy, the torque convertor is also filled with oil and that's an extra weight and can leak...but hey, if u already did it...go for it

 

Just bought a manual tranny...








Throw some 5 speed on dat bish......

 

you dont have to remove anything if u have an aftermarket y pipe.. its freaken easy to swap the auto...

 

You don't ahve to take out the y-pipe. When I did my 5 spd. swap I had the auto tranny taken out in 2 hours and I had me and one other guy. But seriously do be careful that auto tranny weighs more than 200 pounds easily dry. Just undo the bolts to the tranny get a tow strap have someone stand on top of the car while they lift just a little bit and have someone underneath and pull towards the drivers side of the car should come off in a jiffy. Then watch out for spilled fluid auto tranny fluid is fun to slide on but not fun to lay in. Also the torque converter (if you're replacing it) does not need to be taken out. If you are replacing it though. I found it easier to take it of after the tranny had been removed. Becuase as soon as you take out the tranny and the TC is is lose and stuck to the input shaft of the tranny then you have another thing to worry about falling and breaking your toe. You could easily have this done in a night or a weekend. Just remember to drain your fluid.

 

^^ removing the trans with the TC still bolted up is a good way to damage the TC and the input shaft. It also makes the job more difficult, removing the trans and TC together as a whole makes everything a lot easier and makes the job go faster.