Procedure Part 1

Removal:

1. Prep your vehicle to a point where you can remove your transmission. Disconnect the battery cables. Take all the appropriate steps to remove the entire console, as you will need to get to the hole in the tunnel.
NOTE: You might be able to work with the console in place, but it will be tight.

Reference the installed height and location of your current driveshaft/yoke position, before you remove the strap bolts holding the u-joint to the yoke. If you build a new cross-member, you will want the output shaft on the same plane as the original. Also, measure the distance from the front of the bell housing (where it bolts to the motor) back to the u-joint centerline. Write this measurement down. It will help you derive the correct amount to cut the driveshaft later on.

2. Remove the old transmission and associated shifter/cables/connections. Remove the bell housing.

3. If you have an existing manual transmission car, you will need to have the cross-member converted into a removable unit. Some manual vehicles had this, but most were welded. If this vehicle was an automatic, your cross-member is already removable.

I suggest you have a new cross-member built.

You will be able to save the original one, in case you decide to switch transmissions in the future. Building a new one will eliminate the exhaust holes and clearance problems.

4. Disconnect the battery cable from the starter. Loosen battery cable clamps in the tunnel. You will need to eliminate one clamp stud in the back of the tunnel. Click on the picture below and read the caption.

5. Remove the tunnel insulator, to expose the hole in the tunnel for the shifter.