I've done it once on an Eclipse GSX with just a regular floor jack. We got it wrestled in there with two people the first time but then I had to do it a few more times myself. This is with the car on jackstands and barely enought room for the tranny to clear the bottom of the car and roll out when dropped. Stupid clutch, I don't like manuals so much after that ordeal... :hammer:

 

There was a member site, can't remember which, that had a photo of a tranny install, and it was suggested to use a jack, and rotate the trans so that the output shaft for the transfer case is the lowest point of contact with the jack.
After wrestling my tranny in a few times, I came across this tip, tried it and now the trans pops in, no problem.
It still takes someone to guide the jack while you are underneath, but it helps alot.
Floor jacks work ok.

 

Take a look at Jeff Lucius's site --- he has some pictures of the install procedure. The trick is to have the tranny laying on it's side and then rotating it when it's under the car. I can't imagine doing it without two guys but it may be possible.

Jim Berry

 

http://www.stealth316.com/2-trany.htm

 

jeff, could i bug you to add some to the text on the tranny remoaval/install on your clutch page. some things i

couple of things i banged my head against till i figured out the problem.
1) When the tranny input shaft comes out of the clutch and the tranny is free to move, you need to tilt the end of the tranny down before you can roll it. You need to do this to clear the water housing just above the tranny and the two top bolt holes that are right up there that will stop you rolling the tranny to drop the hump down.
2) There's also metal vacuum lines right there that you need to watch when rolling the tranny. Don't crush them. on a previous clutch job or the times when the dealers replaced my tranny, some one put some ugly dents in mine.
3) when you roll the tranny you know its lined up to remove or install be putting the Transfer Case output shaft directly under the tranny input shaft.

I tried all kinds of ways to remove and install the tranny but eventually a neighbours engine lift was the easiest. For the install, move the tranny into place and wrap two cargo straps (the type with ratchet clamps) around the tranny. one near the gear end and one near the bell housing. This lets you move the tranny the easiest. Put the ratchets on the rear side of the tranny near the winshield with enough slack and as you tighten them it will roll the tranny. Combined with raising and lowering the lift and using the straps to position the tranny, you can move it around anywhere you want. using a lift you need one guy on top doing the straps and lift and one under lining up and positioning the tranny. once you clear the hump and roll the tranny into place, line things up by eye so it looks like the bolt holse are lined up, then from underneath you can site along the edge of the bell housing and the gear ring on the flywheel to get the tranny level. then waggle the tranny from the top and bottom at the samy time to get it on.

 

I have been doing my tranny by useing a couple of ratchet straps. I put a bar across the firewall and radiator support and use that to hold the straps. I also use a floor jack to help posistion the tranny. I have done it this way twice without aid from a friend. It works well and I have had very little trouble either time.