Thread: sub frame swap

got a free sub frame from an 05 gp so i figured what the hell?

looked around a little and from the looks of it you just unbolt it, lift the engine/trans,and bolt the other one in....?

that it or am i missing anything?

thats about it irrc

Take a 4x4 and run it from the center of the cowl (on the metal, not the wiper) to the front by the hood latch. I use one piece of 4x4 or 2x4 to elevate it slightly. Run a chain from front driverside engine pull bracket to the rear passenger pull bracket and ensure it's decently snug. Then lift the 4x4 in the front and stuff another 2x4 piece under it to tighten the chain.

Jack and support the car. I like the drip edge where the manual tells you to jack for a flat tire.
Remove sway end links.
Undo the two balljoint nuts and cotter pins, pop balljoints loose
Remove ABS wiring hold downs from subframe and control arms
Remove ps rack to subframe bolts and push up on rack to free it
Remove the two nuts holding the motor mount to subframe
Remove the two nuts holding the trans mount to the metal mount on the trans
Remove the 10mm bolt holding the PS line to the subframe, also unclip the two plastic clips
Remove subframe

Transfer over sway bar and or control arms if needed. You'll notice your engine is about 1/2" to 1/4" low with new subframe on passenger side. I added spacers to the engine mount. This would be a good time to do that.

Lift new subframe into place and connect ball joint nuts loosely. Jack up sub slowly and line up trans/engine mounts (good time to thread those nuts on with just a couple of threads to leave things loose and able to wiggle) and ps rack as you lift. Align subframe via the holes in it and body, then tighen subframe bolts. Now tighten everything else and run your abs wiring.

Done

baller thanks Bill ill probably save up for some solid lower and trans mount and just do that while Im there...

thanks guys!!!

Great time to do an oil pan gasket if it's questionable as well. And AC compressor, starter, trans lines, ps rack...you make it..it's pretty easy to do with the subbbbbbberframe outta the way.

How else do you think I can get a trans done so quick? Drop sub, unhook things w/o it in the way...swap trans...put everything back in place and sub back up.

2002