How Far off Ground to Raise Vehicle for Transmission Removal

[capejeep99]

Maybe an obscure question.... preparing to lower transmission on '99 XJ, I'm trying to figure how far off the ground I'll need to raise the vehicle in order to remove the transmission while strapped to the HF Pittsburg Transmission Lift. I measured the lift itself and to the top of the strap buckle is about 10 inches. Measuring from the underfloor of vehicle to bottom of trans I get about 16 inches. If I raise vehicle 26-27 inches does that seem to be about right (jogging your memories here).... any help or remembering would be helpful. Thanks
John

 

[capejeep99]

one other question.... is it recommended (or at least a good idea) to loosen the transmission bolts a bit prior to raising the vehicle so as not to be shaking the vehicle about (trying to crack/loosen the bolts) while it's up on the jack stands?
Thanks!

 

[lawsoncl]

I recommend loosening the top e-torx head bolts first. You can't get at them with long extensions before you drop the cross member and tip the back end down. I remember the bellhousing on my AX15 wouldn't clear the frame rail while on the jack. I had 6" lift on 32s and thought I'd have plenty of clearance, but ended up about 2" short. Of course my only jack was hold up the trans. I ended up sliding it off the jack onto a board and then sliding it out. Putting the AW4 in, I jacked up the back end first and set the axle on jackstands. I'd measure from the top of the bellhousing to the ground and the bottom of the center to the ground and substract to get a height above the jack.

 

[Unclewolverine]

I always lower the trans down with the jack, then slide it off the jack and drag it out sliding across the floor.