Hey! Just how far do I have to lift the transmission/transfer case assembly to clear those soloinds-I can only get approx 2" w/o the whole thing mis-alinging-Is that enough?
Gotta DO this soon! Let me know! Thank you in advance! W3

 

I just changed mine a few weeks ago after I bought it. It needed it as it was the wrong color. It, the fluid, was black instead of the red color it should be.

I didn't do anything other than drop the pan, replace the filter, clean out the pan, the little magnet had metal sludge around it, and put the pan back on.

After reading the forums here, I found out before I dropped the pan about the possible clearance problems, but I didn't have any. Just be careful so you don't have any problems with it. If the pan appears stuck, won't come down after you remove the bolts, then you may have a problem with clearance. All I can say is I didn't on my 96'.

I did learn 2 things. I should have put in a drain plug in the pan, and used a bigger container to catch the fluid. There is a nice big stain in the driveway now...

 

Had zero clearance issues on both my 2002 jimmy and 1998 Blazer tranny pans when I did them.

 

If you have the older style pan, then the exhaust cross-over is in the way and will need to be dropped at the exhaust manfiolds. Otherwise alot, make that ALOT of fluid is going to go all over the place before you can twist and tip that pan to get it away from the trans. If you don't mind making a hugh mess, then just tip and twist it and it will come down. Or you can drill a drain hole first and put a drain plug in it after you get it off.

 

Thanks for the info! But according to schematics I have viewed here,the solonoids are at the rear of the pan and may be damaged if you dont lift the tranny.The exhaust is not an issue nor is access to all the bolts-so with the info provided by RUMBLE,Logan &
LannyL81,I'm gonna lift the trans 2" so I know I will clear those solonoids while dropping the pan strait down from the case itself. Thanks again!

 

I just changed the fluid on my 96. I ended up loosening the nuts on the tranny mount then jacking the transfer case up until I could tip the pan out. Had enough room to work it out without disturbing anything.
I also took the time to weld a drain plug in while it was out. Makes life much easier the next time you cgange it out.

 

Or you can invest in a 40.00 oil extractor and suck the tranny fluid from the dipstick.

4 quarts extracted, drive about 500 miles another 4 quarts extracted....

 

On mine I think I just unbolted the passenger side and tranny mount, on the crossmember, and there was plenty of room.