Transmission jacks-which one?
 

Possibly looking at replacing a flexplate, depending on the outcome of DTR feedback. I will be needing to pick up a transmission jack. Anyone hear using any of the Big Red brand jacks from Northern Tool? If so, what weight capacity should I be looking to get to handle the weight of the A518/NP205? Does Harbor freight carry any good ones?

Can't comment on brands as I haven't used the ones you listed. The rating will depend on if you split the trans/transfer before you drop it. The 205 weighs about 300 lbs dressed, the trans is maybe 600. If you pull them together you'll need a pretty hefty jack, probably a 1250 lb job. I like to have at least a 50% safety in the rating and keep in mind that the larger jacks also have nice features like the adjusting screws that let you tip the table on the jack side to side and fore/aft which can be a real help lining things up if you're working alone. That said, alot of transmissions have been changed with nothing but a floor jack. Just be safe and don't give that hunk of iron any way to land on your head.

600lbs???? I have medium duty transmissions that don't weigh that much.

The auto weighs 175lbs without the converter. I've never measured the 205, but I would venture a guess between 175 and 200 lbs.

I have an old 1000lb capacity mechanical screw jack that works good if your doing it on the ground. I've pulled the trans and Tcase together with that one before. I also have 1 ton capacity jack for use with a lift. I've never pulled the auto with the 205 attached with that one, but I have pulled a NV5600, a G56 and a Getrag with the Tcase attached.

I would go with the 1000lb rating as a min, gives you extra capacity to handle the trans and the 205 at the same time, its a long assembly.

I just had a 47rh shipped, with trans-adapter-flexplate-torque converter-starter and pallet, it weighed 407lbs

i just bought the trans jack head from harbour freight that goes on my floor jack. pulled a nv4500 with it worked great and only 50 bucks.

I saw them and made something similar out of some scrap steel laying around. Worked nicely.

I suggest that before you unbolt the 205, weld-up some scrap iron such that it holds the transfer case as it's installed in the truck. A custom wedge thing.

That way it'll be MUCH easier and safer as that boy wants to slip around. And the stupid safety chain breaks the 4x4 engaged switch off, and then the whole stupid thing falls off crushing the drink can squirting it everywhere . . . . . [duhhh]

trans is nowhere close to 600, i can pick it up and put it in the bed of a truck, and i am by no means "strong" or "built". Maybe 200lbs at most. 205 is heavy, at least for its size.

I have the red 1250lb (?) HF jack, cost about $100. tipped over frontwards twice when doing my auto to 5spd project, once w/518, once w/205. You could better, but i guess it works ok if your careful.......lay a blanket or some cardboard on the ground so if the trans tips and falls, it doesnt hit a hard concrete floor

oh, and forget those cheeesy saftey chains to hold the trans to the jack, i used a couple 1" ratchet straps instead....works much better

I have the 2000lb 'yellow' tranny jack from Harbor Freight, A+. Must have, worth the money. Use it for rear ends, fuel tanks and tranny's. I suggest dropping the 205 off first, then pulling the tranny. It's much easier.