How to remove auto trans from D3 ??

[vbrab]

My questions are at bottom
Will possibly be looking to replace auto transmission in D3 in near future.
Would usually R&R a trans myself, but repair shop says they have to remove body. Transmission bloke says he can R&R usual way from under car (leave body on).
Biggest part of full replacement quote ($7000 estimate quote) appears to be the labour to R&R the box.
It may be that perhaps I am being quoted a lot because the alternative is to pay somebody to lift the body off.
I have been told that South African trans repair shops can change over a box in under 4 hours, and that fully rebuilt autos there (with heavier internal specs) are under US$3000. From that pricing would expect it not to be as expensive here as quotes indicate. (A$7000)

Q. can anybody confirm that trans can be removed from underneath without body lift on D3, and can anybody direct me to any info on transmission removal.
If you you have any prices for transmission replacement, be keen to know what others are paying.

[87County]

A matter of economics (cost/time) for a workshop?

It'll be interesting to see if anyone has actually done it without removing the body.

[~Rich~]

I'm 99% certain my mechanic does not remove the body to replace the gearbox.
I'll check tomorrow with them and let you know.

[Epic pooh]

The topix extract I have indicates that gearbox removal is not a body off job.

[sniegy]

Body Does NOT need to come off.

But some people see it easier this way.

[Tote]

When my transmission was replaced it was done from underneath the vehicle, no body off. I believe that the cost f a replacement transmission is in the vicinity of $5000.00. $7K sounds about right drive in - drive out.

Regards,
Tote

[QPN]

Just out of interest how many km's on the gearbox and any towing ?

Thinking ahead about when mine might need replacement.

[Tote]

With no service your gearbox will fail at 130 - 160K. Oil changes every 50 - 80K and it will last forever.

Regards,
Tote

[justinc]

Yes trans out from under, not difficult just fiddly. Jc

[vbrab]

Have done 305,000ks. very little towing, mostly high speed top gear long runs (1600k's in a day's drive) some minor brief periods in heavy sand (probably less than an hour of heavy work total)
First trans service at 199,000k's (fluid was BLACK), after I worked out that "sealed for life" was BS, and they do need to be serviced,and next was at 254,000k's.
Another due service due soon.
Gear changes sweetly, hard to pick changes, but can hear the torque convertor starting to drum a bit, and so thinking I need to plan ahead and after getting different accounts of what was involved, thought I'd ask about.
Response from a contact who exports rebuilt trans's to Africa is from USA "Ballpark price under 3000.00 USD -- which would include new Megatronics (A very important point)" as it's cost is over $1000.00",
The boxes are evidently altered to have heavier plates in for towing , so waiting on cost to get one to Australia if I find that what I can get here doesn't match up. If I can R&R it from underneath (like I am used to doing), will just order a torque convertor and wait until it dies.
My plan on changing the whole box was that I was evidently having to pay for body lift, so thought I'd see what others know.