Replacing Flexplate, Dropping Transmission, Changing Ds U-Joints, What Else Should I Do At Same Time?

[gogmorgo]

So this is still in preliminary stages, and is planned for probably mid-December, which is likely the only time in the next five months I'll be able to park my MJ (my DD) for long enough to be able to do this. As far as I can tell it should only take a few hours, but I'd like a few days grace period in case something goes wrong. I've got a '91 4x4 aw4. All stock so far as I can tell.

The reason I'm doing this is because my flexplate is pretty badly cracked. I'm wondering what else I should do/look at while I've got the tranny off, and making sure I know what I'm doing in advance. I've never dropped a transmission myself, so I just want to make sure I don't mess something up or miss an opportunity. Forgive me if this is all readily available info. I've managed to find a lot of it, just want to confirm everything.

 

So the procedure for dropping the tranny, as I understand it:

1: Put MJ on jackstands, support tranny with tranny jack.

2: Remove front and rear driveshafts

3: Unhook tranny cooler lines, shift linkages for tranny and transfer case

4. Remove bellhousing inspection plate and unbolt flexplate from torque converter

5. Unbolt bellhousing to engine bolts (top ones first) and tranny mount bolts

6. Move tranny back and down with tranny jack.

7. Installation is reverse of removal

8. Top up all fluids

Does that seem right?

 

Also, while I've got everything off, I was thinking of:

1. Cleaning up the NSS, cause it's been a little funky, as per http://jeepin.com/features/nss

2. Replacing the driveshaft u-joints while the driveshafts are out. I've got access to a press. I'm looking at getting Spicer/Dana 5153X, I think I saw them recommended on here a while back. I can use them at all four five points (2x for rear and 3x for front), right?

3. New tranny mount

4. A buddy says I should also do a good flush to the transfer case. I changed the oil back in February, and it was pretty dirty, as though it hadn't been done in a long time/ever, but otherwise seemed okay.

Anything else I should think of?

 

Also, what are relevant torque specs?

[carnuck]

How's the rear main seal? Trans front seal?

[gogmorgo]

Tranny seals are good. Haven't lost any fluid since I bought the truck except a tiny bit I spilled when swapping the rad.

You're just suggesting inspecting the rms, right? Thought you only needed to drop the oil pan to swap it. I know I've got an oil leak on the back of the engine, but I'm pretty sure it's the valve cover. I'll check out the rms though.

[gogmorgo]

So there are three u-joints in the front driveshaft. All three are the spicer 5-135x, right?

[87Warrior]

Make sure you have the E12 inverted torx socket to remove the top two bell housing bolts.