I swapped a trans in my old Cutlass years ago and what I did to balance the trans was to use a couple ratchet straps and some wood and strapped it to the jack. That seemed to work pretty well so that it didn't fall off the jack on me. I will be doing my trans in the coming weeks as well but I am hopefully going to be borrowing the lift and trans jack at the Porsche shop next door to me If I don't though I will let you know how it goes and give you any tips or tricks I learn while doing it.

 

I did exactly that yesterday had it strapped to the jack and had the tranny within a 1/2 of being able to start the boltsSo the back end was too high by just a little,I tryed lowering my jack just a little bit.I`ll be darmed if the thing didnt slide off backwards.I have come to the conclusion this vehicle hates me and the feeling is quite mutual.

 

I can understand your frustration. But for me, if I approach a job with anything but a calm patient attitude it goes to crap in an instant.
Try approaching it with a slow calm upbeat attitude. Don't let it get to you. Most tranny jacks you can chain the tranny to them. Then if it falls off you didn't tighten the chain, not the Blazer or jacks fault.
When putting in the convertor if it doesn't move in three times start over. you should hear it each time. Before you tighten the tranny bolts make sure the convertor will spin & has about 1/4' of room to move forward to the flywheel, after the bellhousing is flush against the rear of the engine.
When I was in my 20s I worked as a tranny installer for a tranny shop even though the trannys have changed the principal of installation is the same.

 

does your jimmy have the shifter on the floor?
if so maybe tie the tranny off thru the floor for balance a little.
i wish i was closer to ya...i would come over and we could knock this out in a day.

 

Nope its a colum shift and Im not using a tranny jack.Tryed renting one but no place in this city to rent one either.

 

maybe get a jack from harbor freight?
it is more money to spend but it would do the trick...i know buying a tool for one time use is frustrating but...sometimes choices are limited

 

I was younger I had any tool to any kind of mechanic job.I was garage mechanic by trade back then and hell of a good one at that.Now Im 50 living on a fixed income cause I cant work.Degenirtive back desease and Arthritus plus bad knees to boot.ANyways I may try and see if I can something done today.Otherwise the 1st is moving day and I`ll have do it in tropical storm winds and rain.THis isnt going to be fun just wish I could Afford my garage 1 more month then I have more time to finish this project.Oh and those that have offered to help Thank you just wish you guys were closer.

 

Boy I understand all about your physical condition because I'm basically in the same condition just much older.
That puts you in a tough place. I wouldn't even try & start a project like you have. I know I wouldn't be able to finish it. Now I really understand your frustration. My mind says I can do it & have done it many times before but my body won't let me. That in itself causes a pissed off mind set.
Maybe you could trade your project to someone for a running vehicle. Craigslist would be a place to start. Or sell & buy something that costs what you get out of it.
To me after this last post you posted would be your best choices.
I'm so blessed to have a wife that is a special ed teacher & 10 years younger than me. That I made good money in my day & was able to save & invest it.

 

You hit on the head when you say in your mind you think you can do it but your body wont.At the time I thought all I was in for was changing the motor.If it would have just that issue I know the project would have been completed long ago.Then the trans I find out is bad.That was/is the main issue setting me back.Then nobody to help when I thought I had it but when it came down to it these people backed out,too lazy to help or work I guess.Then I find all kinds of little things like replacing the fuel and brake lines.Then the windsheild gets cracked by a board falling down out of the blue.At that point Im thinking this is it,Its just time to give up nothing is going right and feel like just banging my head against the wall in frustration.Now Im running out of time on the garage Im renting so the pressure is realy on to get this finished.The windsheild will just have to get fixed later.Depending on what happens next Id maybe trade it for car or better motorcycle.