Transmission Strongback?

[sabre1fv]

I'm looking for ideas on the design of a trans strongback that will allow me to pick up the trans assy (including complete axles) and hold the axles essentially horizontal (so they don't bend the flanges or try to pull the boots off). I have never seen one but expect that someone has already come up with an ingenious design that hopefully they would be willing to show off/share ;-)

Anyone?

Thanks.

-Jim

[Rick Kirchner]

I welded up a bunch of stuff to an engine lifter/leveler to grab the wingmount and the front of the bellhousing on my FC. Makes pulling the back off the car and re-installing it a breeze.

I'd think you could do the same and maybe add some "wings coming off the leveler at 90 deg to its centerline - maybe tubes with right/left threads, heim at the top, clevis at the bottom that grabs around the axles, maybe a big 3D printed clamp.

[Hardingfv32]

I used a 1'" tubing bar to connect to the center of the axles. T shaped extensions drop down from the bar and attach to the axle tubes using U bolts. The key to stabilizing the axles to have a 3-4" base that the U bolt clamps the axle. A half round section of tubing makes for the ideal base. You can extend the top bar that is sitting on top of the transaxle to the rear (T shaped frame?) and clamp to the tail section again with a U bolt.

No pictures available as I now store with the axles off. My rear control arms are now permanently assembled to the axle housing and too large to store as a complete transaxle assembly.

Brian

[pacratt]

The shorter one was made WAAAAY back by Varacins. Muffler clamps on the legs secure the axles and the little angled tab bolts to the eye at the back of the bell housing.
I made the taller one so I could lift without removing the starter.
These are basically designed for a 2-man lift (one holds a handle & the bell housing, while one holds the other handle & the tail cone) however I have lifted solo using one of these with a strap & my cherry picker.

[DannyPip]

Very nice @pacratt. Simple and effective. I'm gonna copy that for my spare!

Thanks for the picture.

[HB280ZT]

Here are my versions of an engine and transaxle lift. I built them so that I can remove and replace both by myself with just an engine hoist.


R/--
Harry
FV#77 CFR

[sabre1fv]

Very good ideas here; thank you to everyone who shared their ideas and photos.

-Jim