Chevy 1-Ton clutch R&R: DIY, or pay a guy?

My BiL's '90 Chevy 1-ton truck with SM465 4MT needs a clutch. The web says, the trans weighs ~200 pounds, excluding bellhousing/clutch. I weigh considerably less than that, am not especially burly, and my BiL can't lift heavy stuff.

I've never done a RWD clutch, so I don't know if doing this is a Dumb Idea. I'd rent a trans jack, but I've never used one. I've done probably 30 clutch R&Rs, but all on Saab 900s: no trans splitting required.

So, is it:

1. DIY -- That E36 M3 ain't hard with a jack; or 
    
2. Pay a guy -- Wrastlin' that lump, even with a jack, is less fun than dropping 200 pounds on your toe

Super simple. Use a trans jack and strap it well to the jack. The jack is doing all of the heavy work for you. Nothing overly involved or intricate about the deal. 

I wouldn't think the book time was over about 3 hours. 

What Eddie said.  The trans, while heavy, is short and fairly easy to deal with. If it is the older square body style, there is a panel over the transmission that unbolts and access is even easier.

just make sure you have a  clutch alignment tool , 

and also a backup plan if the flywheel face is badly scoured ,

I would do it myself if I had a flat concrete floor  , but not if I had to do it on bad  payment or dirt , 

Yup.  It's easy even laying on your back.

Just be aware that an SM465 weighs a lot.  It's cast iron, so north of 200lbs easily.  Don't drop it on your hootus

What if my hootus is into that

Take the shift lever off first. Its an easy twist lock type of deal. If its sloppy there easy repairs with new dowel pins and some grinding.

Is this a 4x4 or 2wd truck? 

I've pulled a lot of transmissions out of cars, but paid somebody (twice) when my F-250 needed a clutch because working on trucks is miserable. It's not usually that hard, but it gets so tiring when every torque spec is 500 lbs. and every part weighs a ton.

Gearheadotaku (Forum Supporter) said:

Take the shift lever off first. Its an easy twist lock type of deal. If its sloppy there easy repairs with new dowel pins and some grinding.

Is this a 4x4 or 2wd truck? 

It's 2wd with a flatbed/dump.

Tom Suddard said:

I've pulled a lot of transmissions out of cars, but paid somebody (twice) when my F-250 needed a clutch because working on trucks is miserable. It's not usually that hard, but it gets so tiring when every torque spec is 500 lbs. and every part weighs a ton.

Oh, well, this won't be a problem: I'll be doing it on a concrete slab, in the sun, in eastern Washington, where it'll only be, IDK, a million degrees. /s

I may re-consider my offer...

dculberson said:

What if my hootus is into that

Then I think we've leveled up our friendship.  :D

procainestart said:

Tom Suddard said:

I've pulled a lot of transmissions out of cars, but paid somebody (twice) when my F-250 needed a clutch because working on trucks is miserable. It's not usually that hard, but it gets so tiring when every torque spec is 500 lbs. and every part weighs a ton.

Oh, well, this won't be a problem: I'll be doing it on a concrete slab, in the sun, in eastern Washington, where it'll only be, IDK, a million degrees. /s

I may re-consider my offer...

Definitely gonna need some sun shade type thingies

If you have a transmission jack, the proper tools, jack stands to raise up the truck,  and a flat slab its just work.   

Make sure you don't leave the tools out in the sunshine, truck shade is just as good as any other kind of shade.

In reply to jharry3 :

The problem with truck shade is there is never enough of it

Nothing better than a wrench left sitting in the sun.

Its an easy DIY especially if the truck is relatively rust free.  If you want it to go super smooth I would buy a new flywheel, they range in that $60-230 range.  Then you dont have to sweat that the friction surface might be junk.

I did the clutch in my Superduty by myself, even left left the transfer case attached to the trans because if you are gonna get crushed, may as well get really crushed.