winch install question

[macibell111]

I am turning my M into a winch truck my question is ,what goes in first ? I.m thinking PTO... and what about the gear clearance. and do I drain the transmission first?.any help or insight would be appreciated

[Cal_Gary]

Mac,
Easiest to install the PTO with the tranny out. Drain it, drop it, pop the PTO cover then add your studs and set your gear lash via the top w/ cover removed, using your gasket pack to obtain the proper thickness. (I don't recall the correct thickness, and I am at work so I can't check). You should also seal up everything that seeps on your tranny now while you have it removed so you don't have to do it on the truck. Install the PTO then fill the tranny with GL-90 with the cover off-much easier to dump it in versus pumping it in. Reinstall the tranny.

Remember to slide your PTO shaft through the front crossmember BEFORE you add the winch or you'll have to unbolt it and jack it up to gain the necessary clearance to install the shaft. Add your frame extensions, mount the winch, then attach the PTO shaft and shift linkage along with the shift lock. Speaking of the shift lock, the mounting holes on the floor pan are oval for adjustability-I left mine a bit loose so after installing the floor pan I was able to nudge the lock into the proper position then used an impact to tighten the shift lock bolts.

Add those hard to find bumperettes, check your winch fluid levels (ON BOTH SIDES!) and you should be all set.
Gary