Tremec 5 speed removal

[5280 ford]

Hey guys,

I have a 33 hot rod I bought last April with only 3100 miles on the car. Over the summer the clutch began getting very difficult to shift when the engine reached operating temps of 180 to 190. It would become VERY difficult to put into first, second and reverse. I took it to a highly recommended transmission shop and they feel with how stiff the clutch pedal is the pressure plate most likely needs replaced

However, the shop is telling me the trans cannot be dropped out from the bottom of the car due to an X bracing on the frame. They are saying the engine/trans will need pulled and in so doing the fenders need to come off too.

Tell me please, why would FF design a chassis so difficult for transmission work or is there another method to remove it? Thank you!

[JimLev]

If you remove the seats and the center console you can remove the tranny from the inside.
Sounds like a lot of work but you won’t need to remove the hood, both engine side panels, the grille, drain and remove the radiator, etc.

[5280 ford]

If you remove the seats and the center console you can remove the tranny from the inside.
Sounds like a lot of work but you won’t need to remove the hood, both engine side panels, the grille, drain and remove the radiator, etc.

Thank you sir. This is really good news.